Heard from the son yesterday;
"Can I have beef jerky in my lunch today?" asked my six year old boy.
"But, you don't like beef jerky. Why?" said my wife.
"I know. But my friend likes beef jerky, and that way I get his fruit roll-up!" replied the little stinker.
Well, at least he's honest.
Friday, June 22
Wednesday, June 20
A Fair and Equitable Process
Something very interesting is going on; a presently outsourced function (operation and management of the animal shelter and animal control functions) is being re-evaluated by the city for operation by either the present, private (but non-profit) contractor or a city agency.
I would categorize this as an attempted in-sourcing of a presently out-sourced function. At least in federal procurement, there are rules governing how that is supposed to happen. Those rules are written in an Office of Management and Budget circular called A-76.
Now, the city has no obligation to follow federal rules of procurement. However, these rules are time-tested and have been proven to be both fair and equitable. I challenge the city to apply similar rules to their procurement process for animal control functions. To do so would remove any doubt about the fairness and honesty of the city's final decision.
I would categorize this as an attempted in-sourcing of a presently out-sourced function. At least in federal procurement, there are rules governing how that is supposed to happen. Those rules are written in an Office of Management and Budget circular called A-76.
Now, the city has no obligation to follow federal rules of procurement. However, these rules are time-tested and have been proven to be both fair and equitable. I challenge the city to apply similar rules to their procurement process for animal control functions. To do so would remove any doubt about the fairness and honesty of the city's final decision.
Procurement
I guess I am not the only person questioning why the city is apparently ram-roading a $330 thousand increase in expenditures in order to give the GFPD responsibility over animal control functions. Last night, a citizen was thrown out of the city commission meeting and arrested over her comments on just this issue.
There is a healthy discussion going on over at Geeguy's place over the three minute rule. My 2¢ about that is as long as it is equitably and fairly enforced it is probably OK. However, that is not the subject of this post. I would rather use this space here to talk a little bit about the problem that this unfortunate woman raised.
I brought this up yesterday. I would like to see it articulated exactly where the Humane Society has failed to perform their contract. If they have, this point is moot and they should probably be fired from this job. However, if they have performed, why is the city even considering such an expensive replacement?
Worse, this procurement process seems to be flawed. All I know about this is what I read in the paper. However, what I have read does not reasonably equate with what I know of how the government is supposed to procure goods and services.
There is a healthy discussion going on over at Geeguy's place over the three minute rule. My 2¢ about that is as long as it is equitably and fairly enforced it is probably OK. However, that is not the subject of this post. I would rather use this space here to talk a little bit about the problem that this unfortunate woman raised.
I brought this up yesterday. I would like to see it articulated exactly where the Humane Society has failed to perform their contract. If they have, this point is moot and they should probably be fired from this job. However, if they have performed, why is the city even considering such an expensive replacement?
Worse, this procurement process seems to be flawed. All I know about this is what I read in the paper. However, what I have read does not reasonably equate with what I know of how the government is supposed to procure goods and services.
Tuesday, June 19
Comments to City Commission, 6/19/2007
Madame Mayor and Honorable Commissioners;
My name is Aaron Weissman, and I am the chairman of Neighborhood Council 7.
At our last neighborhood council meeting, concerned neighbors brought to our attention no less than five problem properties plagued by petty crime, gang graffiti and drugs. In addition, we have been made aware of continued vehicle break-ins during the night.
I would like to also take this opportunity to encourage my neighbors and all city residents to take common sense actions to avoid vehicle break-ins. Do not leave anything of value in your vehicle, and especially not in visible areas. Lock your vehicle. If at all possible, park it inside or in a lighted area.
All of these problems seem to be centered on the lower North side, mostly along the 9th Street corridor. Our council feels that the only way to positively affect these problems is for the city to spend increased attention on the area.
Unfortunately, the same neighbors that came to us about their neighborhoods also reported slow responses to their complaints from the police department.
We all know that the summer brings out the worst in some people. As the season progresses, we need to increase our attention on the problems to keep them from getting out of control.
In addition, our council would like to thank the city for beginning a study of traffic on 9th Street. We continue to feel that the speed of traffic along this street is inappropriate for the neighborhood. Please keep us in the loop as to the results of your study and for your ideas to control that traffic.
My name is Aaron Weissman, and I am the chairman of Neighborhood Council 7.
At our last neighborhood council meeting, concerned neighbors brought to our attention no less than five problem properties plagued by petty crime, gang graffiti and drugs. In addition, we have been made aware of continued vehicle break-ins during the night.
I would like to also take this opportunity to encourage my neighbors and all city residents to take common sense actions to avoid vehicle break-ins. Do not leave anything of value in your vehicle, and especially not in visible areas. Lock your vehicle. If at all possible, park it inside or in a lighted area.
All of these problems seem to be centered on the lower North side, mostly along the 9th Street corridor. Our council feels that the only way to positively affect these problems is for the city to spend increased attention on the area.
Unfortunately, the same neighbors that came to us about their neighborhoods also reported slow responses to their complaints from the police department.
We all know that the summer brings out the worst in some people. As the season progresses, we need to increase our attention on the problems to keep them from getting out of control.
In addition, our council would like to thank the city for beginning a study of traffic on 9th Street. We continue to feel that the speed of traffic along this street is inappropriate for the neighborhood. Please keep us in the loop as to the results of your study and for your ideas to control that traffic.
Is it worth $330k to fire the Humane Society?
Color me puzzled. In last Sunday's Trib, I read this article. Apparently, the city is re-competing its requirements for animal control and operation of the animal shelter.
The city received two bids, one from the Humane Society for $186 thousand, and one from the Police Department for $516 thousand. The Humane Society is the incumbent contractor.
What confounds me is that with a $330 thousand difference in bids received, the city is not automatically awarding the contract to the incumbent contractor who is also the low bid. Instead, the city has given a copy of the Humane Society's bid to the Police Department (by the by, the other bidder for that contract) for their critique. Is this really how things are (or should be) done? Has the Police Department's bid been given to the Humane Society for their critique?
Now, I freely admit that I haven't paid a great deal of attention to how the Humane Society is doing in their operation of these functions in recent years. I adopted my dog from the shelter several years ago, and found it to be a rather depressing and underfunded place -- but run by caring and dedicated people. In any case, many citizens in Great Falls are attempting to build a new shelter, funded through private donations. In any case, the status of the old, city-owned building is not something that should be blamed on the Humane Society.
If the city awards this contract to the GFPD for $330 thousand more than the next lowest bid, then they will certainly have to explain why it is worth a third of a million dollars to give this additional work to the police department.
The city received two bids, one from the Humane Society for $186 thousand, and one from the Police Department for $516 thousand. The Humane Society is the incumbent contractor.
What confounds me is that with a $330 thousand difference in bids received, the city is not automatically awarding the contract to the incumbent contractor who is also the low bid. Instead, the city has given a copy of the Humane Society's bid to the Police Department (by the by, the other bidder for that contract) for their critique. Is this really how things are (or should be) done? Has the Police Department's bid been given to the Humane Society for their critique?
Now, I freely admit that I haven't paid a great deal of attention to how the Humane Society is doing in their operation of these functions in recent years. I adopted my dog from the shelter several years ago, and found it to be a rather depressing and underfunded place -- but run by caring and dedicated people. In any case, many citizens in Great Falls are attempting to build a new shelter, funded through private donations. In any case, the status of the old, city-owned building is not something that should be blamed on the Humane Society.
If the city awards this contract to the GFPD for $330 thousand more than the next lowest bid, then they will certainly have to explain why it is worth a third of a million dollars to give this additional work to the police department.
Monday, June 11
NC7 Letter to County Commission on Polling Place Consolidation
Neighborhood Council 7
PO Box 5021 * Great Falls, MT 59403
Representing the Lower North and South Sides of Historic Great Falls
June 11, 2007
Cascade County Board of Commissioners
The Honorable Joe Briggs
The Honorable Lance Olson
The Honorable Peggy Beltrone
525 2nd Avenue North, Room 111
Great Falls, MT 59401
Dear Commissioners Briggs, Olson and Beltrone;
We write today to address your recent decision to consolidate polling locations in Great Falls to the fairgrounds. Quite simply, we believe that this decision will serve as a detriment to the people in downtown Great Falls and will discourage them from voting. We encourage and ask you to revisit that decision.
We understand and agree that this move will make things easier for the administration of the election. However, we suggest to you that some difficult things are worth the effort. Neighborhood polling is one of these things.
Winston Churchill once said that “democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.” He was right; it is a messy and complicated business to keep an election running smoothly. However, that does not mean that we should abdicate our efforts. It would surely be easiest to not have an election at all.
The 7,000 people that live within the borders of Neighborhood Council 7 are the ones that are least likely to own vehicles or other modes of transportation. They are also the population most likely to throw up their hands at any complications in their voting process. Mail ballots are not the answer. If this decision moves forward, we believe that it will result in the de facto disenfranchisement of many of our downtown residents.
Again, we ask you to revisit this decision. We submit to you that neighborhood polling places are inherently beneficial. They encourage local civic discussion and participation. Please do not eliminate this benefit just to gain a little efficiency.
Sincerely,
Aaron Weissman
Mike Taylor
Erin Tropila
Donna Sadler
PO Box 5021 * Great Falls, MT 59403
Representing the Lower North and South Sides of Historic Great Falls
June 11, 2007
Cascade County Board of Commissioners
The Honorable Joe Briggs
The Honorable Lance Olson
The Honorable Peggy Beltrone
525 2nd Avenue North, Room 111
Great Falls, MT 59401
Dear Commissioners Briggs, Olson and Beltrone;
We write today to address your recent decision to consolidate polling locations in Great Falls to the fairgrounds. Quite simply, we believe that this decision will serve as a detriment to the people in downtown Great Falls and will discourage them from voting. We encourage and ask you to revisit that decision.
We understand and agree that this move will make things easier for the administration of the election. However, we suggest to you that some difficult things are worth the effort. Neighborhood polling is one of these things.
Winston Churchill once said that “democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.” He was right; it is a messy and complicated business to keep an election running smoothly. However, that does not mean that we should abdicate our efforts. It would surely be easiest to not have an election at all.
The 7,000 people that live within the borders of Neighborhood Council 7 are the ones that are least likely to own vehicles or other modes of transportation. They are also the population most likely to throw up their hands at any complications in their voting process. Mail ballots are not the answer. If this decision moves forward, we believe that it will result in the de facto disenfranchisement of many of our downtown residents.
Again, we ask you to revisit this decision. We submit to you that neighborhood polling places are inherently beneficial. They encourage local civic discussion and participation. Please do not eliminate this benefit just to gain a little efficiency.
Sincerely,
Aaron Weissman
Mike Taylor
Erin Tropila
Donna Sadler
Friday, June 8
Neighborhood Council 7 Meeting Agenda
AGENDA
NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
DISTRICT 7
Monday, June 11, 2007
Gibson Room, Civic Center
6:30 p.m.
Please note: This agenda format allows citizens to speak on each issue prior to Council discussion. We encourage your participation. In the interest that all parties can be heard, please limit your comments.
CALL TO ORDER
OLD BUSINESS
Approval of May minutes
824 6th Avenue North—drug activity--Aaron
9th Street traffic--Aaron
NEW BUSINESS
Mitch Tropila—report from MT Senate and questions
Single poling location—letter to County Commissioners--Aaron
916 3rd Avenue North—abandoned property--Aaron
Riverfest booth--Aaron
Neighborhood Concerns
REPORTS
City Commission
ACTION Team
Council of Councils
Police Advisory Board
ADJOURN
Next Meeting – July 9, 2007, Heisey Center
NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
DISTRICT 7
Monday, June 11, 2007
Gibson Room, Civic Center
6:30 p.m.
Please note: This agenda format allows citizens to speak on each issue prior to Council discussion. We encourage your participation. In the interest that all parties can be heard, please limit your comments.
CALL TO ORDER
OLD BUSINESS
Approval of May minutes
824 6th Avenue North—drug activity--Aaron
9th Street traffic--Aaron
NEW BUSINESS
Mitch Tropila—report from MT Senate and questions
Single poling location—letter to County Commissioners--Aaron
916 3rd Avenue North—abandoned property--Aaron
Riverfest booth--Aaron
Neighborhood Concerns
REPORTS
City Commission
ACTION Team
Council of Councils
Police Advisory Board
ADJOURN
Next Meeting – July 9, 2007, Heisey Center
Tuesday, June 5
Those Darned Rose Colored Glasses
Remember the survey last Summer on the pools? You know, the one in our water bill where about a solid majority of the people in Great Falls told our City Commission that neighborhood pools were worth saving. Well, whoever that was adding together the figures was certainly pulling something out of somewhere.
If you remember those surveys, our options were to spend nothing (and close down the neighborhood pools) or to spend $2.2 Million in repairs to the Jaycee, the Water Tower and the Mitchell.
Well, $2.2 Million seems to be not quite accurate. Now that we have committed to spend the money, the lowest bid is coming in at something like $2.5 Million. That’s about 14% over the estimate.
This is not the first error in estimation that the City has made in our very recent history. Not by a long shot.
If we move the decimal place over a digit or two to the right, we can recall the city’s estimates for the cost of the coal plant. You remember current cost estimate for the plant we were originally told would cost $515 Million plant is now hovering somewhere around $678 Million.
Moving back in time a few years, we can recall similar unrealistic cost estimates for the golf courses and other public works projects. Moving away from costs, there were a number of similar unrealistic revenue expectations for city ventures, most notably the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Party and the White Water Elephant.
Now, I am not alleging anything inappropriate here. I think that city planners did a study and really thought that the repairs to those pools would come in at the lower number. However, whoever was doing the math and studying the work involved made some major errors. Fourteen percent is a pretty huge variance.
Now, I am pretty sure that Great Falls taxpayers would have supported $2.5 Million to revitalize our neighborhood pools. However, we never got the chance to make a statement either way since the numbers on which most of us based our vote had only a tenuous relationship with reality.
Which leads me to the point of this particular post. Over at ECB, Geeguy has been doing a great job telling truth to power over the seeming inability of city estimators to plan for worst cast scenarios. Our recent news just highlights the point. This is a very important obligation, because these estimators are playing with our money.
I grant you that estimating public works projects is something throwing a dart at a moving target. However, it ain’t rocket science either. At the very least, the city could have put out some informational/non-binding requests for proposals; the responses to those RFPs would have given the city some important information as to the actual costs involved.
If you remember those surveys, our options were to spend nothing (and close down the neighborhood pools) or to spend $2.2 Million in repairs to the Jaycee, the Water Tower and the Mitchell.
Well, $2.2 Million seems to be not quite accurate. Now that we have committed to spend the money, the lowest bid is coming in at something like $2.5 Million. That’s about 14% over the estimate.
This is not the first error in estimation that the City has made in our very recent history. Not by a long shot.
If we move the decimal place over a digit or two to the right, we can recall the city’s estimates for the cost of the coal plant. You remember current cost estimate for the plant we were originally told would cost $515 Million plant is now hovering somewhere around $678 Million.
Moving back in time a few years, we can recall similar unrealistic cost estimates for the golf courses and other public works projects. Moving away from costs, there were a number of similar unrealistic revenue expectations for city ventures, most notably the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Party and the White Water Elephant.
Now, I am not alleging anything inappropriate here. I think that city planners did a study and really thought that the repairs to those pools would come in at the lower number. However, whoever was doing the math and studying the work involved made some major errors. Fourteen percent is a pretty huge variance.
Now, I am pretty sure that Great Falls taxpayers would have supported $2.5 Million to revitalize our neighborhood pools. However, we never got the chance to make a statement either way since the numbers on which most of us based our vote had only a tenuous relationship with reality.
Which leads me to the point of this particular post. Over at ECB, Geeguy has been doing a great job telling truth to power over the seeming inability of city estimators to plan for worst cast scenarios. Our recent news just highlights the point. This is a very important obligation, because these estimators are playing with our money.
I grant you that estimating public works projects is something throwing a dart at a moving target. However, it ain’t rocket science either. At the very least, the city could have put out some informational/non-binding requests for proposals; the responses to those RFPs would have given the city some important information as to the actual costs involved.
Friday, May 18
Umm, Should't We Encourage Voting???
Here we go again.
Every couple of years, this seems to come up again. You know, the idea that we need to consolidate our polling places into one warehouse to make things easier for the County to administer election day.
While I am all for efficiency, I am not persuaded. Putting more tsuris on the voter is not the answer to declining participation at the polls. Instead of treating the franchise like an onerous burden, we need to remember that our democracy depends on its vibrancy.
Let me be clear; it was a mistake and a shanda to decrease the amount of polling places as was done several years ago. Neighborhood voting should be encouraged.
Our county clerk and recorder seems to want to push us all to mail ballots. While this would make her job easier, it is no good as an answer to her logistical difficulties. Over the past ten years, our country has been moving more and more toward voting-by-mail and as a result, the principle of the secret ballot has suffered. Your vote is your vote; there needs to be no question as to whether you were able to vote your conscience when presented with your ballot.
There may be no law requiring neighborhood voting. However, there is no law requiring common sense, either. Resigning our community to have to either wait in long lines in a confusing warehouse environment or to vote by mail will only decrease participation in the polls. It is a bad idea and deserves to be thrown out again.
Every couple of years, this seems to come up again. You know, the idea that we need to consolidate our polling places into one warehouse to make things easier for the County to administer election day.
While I am all for efficiency, I am not persuaded. Putting more tsuris on the voter is not the answer to declining participation at the polls. Instead of treating the franchise like an onerous burden, we need to remember that our democracy depends on its vibrancy.
Let me be clear; it was a mistake and a shanda to decrease the amount of polling places as was done several years ago. Neighborhood voting should be encouraged.
Our county clerk and recorder seems to want to push us all to mail ballots. While this would make her job easier, it is no good as an answer to her logistical difficulties. Over the past ten years, our country has been moving more and more toward voting-by-mail and as a result, the principle of the secret ballot has suffered. Your vote is your vote; there needs to be no question as to whether you were able to vote your conscience when presented with your ballot.
There may be no law requiring neighborhood voting. However, there is no law requiring common sense, either. Resigning our community to have to either wait in long lines in a confusing warehouse environment or to vote by mail will only decrease participation in the polls. It is a bad idea and deserves to be thrown out again.
Wednesday, May 16
An Open Question about "our" Ownership in the Coal Plant
For the past several months, I haven't been speaking about the Coal Plant much. Others in our local blogging community are doing a much more comprehensive job, and I haven't felt the need to insert my 2¢.
However, I was struck by the City's recent announcement that "our" share of ownership in the plant would be reduced to 15%. So, I have a few questions:
Someone please explain this to me. Does the term fiduciary responsibility mean anything?
However, I was struck by the City's recent announcement that "our" share of ownership in the plant would be reduced to 15%. So, I have a few questions:
- As best I understand it, SME (a semi-private corporation wholly owned by the City of Great Falls) was to kick in 25% of the construction costs for the coal plant. Will "our" share of the capital costs also be rolled back to 15%?
- If not, how can the city possibly justify paying one-fourth of the costs of an asset when we will only own less than one-sixth of it?
Someone please explain this to me. Does the term fiduciary responsibility mean anything?
Monday, May 14
May Neighborhood Council 7 Agenda
AGENDA
NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
DISTRICT 7
Monday, May 14, 2007
Heisey Center, 313 7th Street North
6:30 p.m.
Please note: This agenda format allows citizens to speak on each issue prior to Council discussion. We encourage your participation. In the interest that all parties can be heard, please limit your comments.
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
CALL TO ORDER
OLD BUSINESS
Approval of April minutes
NEW BUSINESS
Community Policing
Guardianship & Gatekeepers programs—Jason Kindsvatter & Diana Meyers
Antenna on 9th Street—Denise Cardinal
Conditional Use—Willy Weaver
Summer meetings
Neighborhood Concerns
REPORTS
City Commission
ACTION Team
ADJOURN
Next Meeting – June 11, 2007
NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
DISTRICT 7
Monday, May 14, 2007
Heisey Center, 313 7th Street North
6:30 p.m.
Please note: This agenda format allows citizens to speak on each issue prior to Council discussion. We encourage your participation. In the interest that all parties can be heard, please limit your comments.
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
CALL TO ORDER
OLD BUSINESS
Approval of April minutes
NEW BUSINESS
Community Policing
Guardianship & Gatekeepers programs—Jason Kindsvatter & Diana Meyers
Antenna on 9th Street—Denise Cardinal
Conditional Use—Willy Weaver
Summer meetings
Neighborhood Concerns
REPORTS
City Commission
ACTION Team
ADJOURN
Next Meeting – June 11, 2007
Wednesday, April 25
Summer Borscht
Several months ago, I complained about the hot beet soup served by a local resident. I have since been corrected by those more knowledgeable than I, but it is my experience that winter borscht, served hot, is a beef and cabbage soup.
Now that it is a bit warmer and I have unpacked by short-sleeved shirts, I am getting ready for summer borscht, a refreshing cold beet soup that is perfect on a hot day.
Summer borscht, in my experience, is a cold, dairy soup. I fry the veggies in butter and it's best with a dollop of sour cream, so I make it with no meat.
Try out this recipe; you might just find you like it!
Ingredients:
Water
NACL and pepper
Miripoix, diced
Green pepper, diced
Beets
Tomatoes, diced
Tomato sauce
Vegetable stock
Potatoes, 3 quartered and 1/4 cup diced
Butter
Cabbage, shredded
Dill
Directions:
Boil the beets in H2O with salt, carrots, some of the bell pepper, celery and quartered potatoes until tender in stockpot.
In separate skillet, fry the miripoix and the green pepper in the butter until tender. Add tomatoes and stir to deglaze. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Add in some cabbage and continue simmering for five more minutes.
Remove potatoes and beet from pot and mash with butter and vegetable stock until smooth.
Add contents of skillet to stockpot, stir in diced potatoes and simmer until tender. Increase heat to low boil and add tomato sauce, more cabbage and mashed potato/beet mixture. Reduce heat to simmer, and stir in a bit more bell pepper.
In the soup bowl, add black pepper and a dollop of sour cream.
Enjoy. Suggestion: don't wear a white shirt!
Now that it is a bit warmer and I have unpacked by short-sleeved shirts, I am getting ready for summer borscht, a refreshing cold beet soup that is perfect on a hot day.
Summer borscht, in my experience, is a cold, dairy soup. I fry the veggies in butter and it's best with a dollop of sour cream, so I make it with no meat.
Try out this recipe; you might just find you like it!
Ingredients:
Water
NACL and pepper
Miripoix, diced
Green pepper, diced
Beets
Tomatoes, diced
Tomato sauce
Vegetable stock
Potatoes, 3 quartered and 1/4 cup diced
Butter
Cabbage, shredded
Dill
Directions:
Boil the beets in H2O with salt, carrots, some of the bell pepper, celery and quartered potatoes until tender in stockpot.
In separate skillet, fry the miripoix and the green pepper in the butter until tender. Add tomatoes and stir to deglaze. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Add in some cabbage and continue simmering for five more minutes.
Remove potatoes and beet from pot and mash with butter and vegetable stock until smooth.
Add contents of skillet to stockpot, stir in diced potatoes and simmer until tender. Increase heat to low boil and add tomato sauce, more cabbage and mashed potato/beet mixture. Reduce heat to simmer, and stir in a bit more bell pepper.
In the soup bowl, add black pepper and a dollop of sour cream.
Enjoy. Suggestion: don't wear a white shirt!
Tsar Vlad
I don't know much about Russia. However, I remain very interested in the land my family called home until the beginning of the 20th Century.
All this week, I have been reading eulogies and obits about former Russian President Boris Yeltsin. I am struck by the credit that these writers give him for opening Russia to democracy and pluralism.
I find these platitudes to be disingenuous. Yeltsin did try to open Russia, but his personal failings doomed the effort.
He handpicked Vladimir Putin to be his successor; if for no other reason than a promise that Putin gave Yeltsin to keep him out of the gulag. Putin quickly undid Yeltsin's reforms and began cementing in yet another Russian totalitarian regime.
Russia may not now resemble the former Soviet Union. However, every year that Putin remains in power it reminds me more and more of the czarist monarchy. Perhaps Russia is not ready for democracy. However, giving credit to a corrupt drunkard who sold his country's future in order to get away with his crimes seems inappropriate.
All this week, I have been reading eulogies and obits about former Russian President Boris Yeltsin. I am struck by the credit that these writers give him for opening Russia to democracy and pluralism.
I find these platitudes to be disingenuous. Yeltsin did try to open Russia, but his personal failings doomed the effort.
He handpicked Vladimir Putin to be his successor; if for no other reason than a promise that Putin gave Yeltsin to keep him out of the gulag. Putin quickly undid Yeltsin's reforms and began cementing in yet another Russian totalitarian regime.
Russia may not now resemble the former Soviet Union. However, every year that Putin remains in power it reminds me more and more of the czarist monarchy. Perhaps Russia is not ready for democracy. However, giving credit to a corrupt drunkard who sold his country's future in order to get away with his crimes seems inappropriate.
Monday, April 23
Guest Post: Lewin Calls for Consolidation of City, County
This weekend, I received an email from former City commission candidate Stuart Lewin. Stuart is a smart guy, and he has some wisdom. Although he and I disagree about a great many things, I have a great deal of respect for his viewpoints and judgements.
Stuart has asked me to post this idea on my blog. I am very glad to do so.
I have always suspected that we duplicate many efforts between the city and the county; specifically in areas of public safety and transportation. I voted for the city/county consolidation referendum when it was on the ballot 10 (or was it 12) years ago, and still think it a good idea.
I don't know that we need a ward system, as Stuart suggests. However, if consolidation were to happen, we need to make sure the the interests of, say, Neihart, are represented as are those of the various neighborhoods of Great Falls.
Stuart has asked me to post this idea on my blog. I am very glad to do so.
These are my ideas for a new and better government. What do you think? Do
you have any suggestions for improvement?
“Greater Cascade” (Great Falls/Cascade County) a idea revisited whose time
has now come:
1. Combine city/county like Butte/Silverbow and call the new government
entity “Greater Cascade” and give it home rule powers.
2. Give Current County areas (as set forth herein) at least one extra
commissioner so that county residents know that their voices will be heard
and their interests protected.
3. Have commissioners elected by wards they represent. Commissioners would
be non partisan. Commissioners to be elected for 6 year terms (after first
election all commissioners would draw straws for length of first term 2, 4
or 6 years – thereafter approximately 1/3 of commissioners would be elected
every 2 years)
4. Every two years the commissioners would select one of their number to be
their spokesperson and the official representative of the government at
events/ official functions etc. The spokespersons can be chosen for
additional two year terms. Because of the additional time required as
official representative of the government. The spokesperson shall receive a
salary of one and 1/2 times the regular commissioner’s salary
5. suggested wards (could be more or less): 1. Riverview/Blackeagle/westside
(to 10th Avenue South); 2. Northside; 3. south side; 4. river road (south of
10th Ave S)/Palised heights/Wilson Butte road; 5. FoxFarm/Floodroad; 6.
Cascade/Ulm (east to current city limits); 7. Sunriver/Fairfield Bench; 8.
Vaughn/east to current city limits; 9. North from Sky-line Drive (and west
of Ft Benton hwy) to county Boarder; 10. Belt/Highwood west to current city
limits; 11. Monarch/Neihart/Sand Colley/Centerville west to current city
limits;
6. Pay all commissioners a reasonable part-time salary. The initial salary
of commissioners shall be determined by taking the current salaries of city
and county commissioners and the mayor adding them together and dividing by
the number of new commissioners.
7. Hire one professional manager for new government,
combine planning staffs; manager to hire new planning director and staff and
other government workers.
8. develop a new all-over growth policy plan for our new government and new
zoning and other regulations in line with the all-over plan to provide for
enforceable county-wide: ‘smart growth’; ‘economic development’; protection
and balancing of ‘private property rights’ with the public’s right and
obligation to provide ‘a clean and healthful environment’ as provided for in
the Montana State Constitution; designating and protecting open space,
farm/ranch land, natural areas, historic and cultural areas, rivers, streams
and their natural corridors.
Advantages:
1.Reduce costs (by efficiency, reduction of duplication, hire good
professional staff)
2.Make government more responsive to local concerns (each commissioner would
be account able to his neighbors from his ward for their cotes and not by a
county-wide vote which allows certain groups to control all positions).
3.Provide for smart planning to accommodate anticipated growth (to avoid
mistakes of other Counties - egg Gallatin County)
4. Develop countywide policies which will avoid uncertainties for developers
and land owners
5.Move forward countywide with Missouri/sun River Corridor plan
6. Provide for public power and conservation plans
7. Provide an inventive for our best people to get involved in government at
all levels because they will feel part of a winning team where their ideas
and efforts can make a difference
8. Stop the duplication and bickering between city and county government.
One notable example when the County approve the Urquhart zoning change,
Commissioner Briggs said: “the city has an industrial park, we want one
too!”
Disadvantages (raised by others):
1. Change is often disconcerting most often for those in power – ANSWER:
tough its time for a change
2. Ward bosses may develop and corruption follow - ANSWER: we will need to
fight this locally and be vigilant.
3. As we grow in numbers and increase regulations to provide for consensus
in how we manage our lives, we may wish to return to simpler days and equate
our new lives with loss of freedom. ANSWER: In actual fact we are probably
more free in a different sense.
4. We studied this 10 years ago and rejected it because unlike Silverbow
county which has only one town (Butte), we have many towns. ANSWER: Butte
always had Anaconda and poor planning in Gallatin County has allowed
Belgrade to be overwhelmed.
I SUGGEST WE WORK TO PUT THIS ON THE BALLOT COUNTYWIDE AS A REFERENDUM THIS
ELECTION, WITH A TIME TABLE FOR BEGINNING THE NEW GOVERNMENT (SAY ELECTION
OF COMMISSIONERS AND BEGINNING OF THE NEW GOVERNMENT DURING THE NEXT
ELECTION CYCLE.) WE DO NOT NEED A NEW STUDY COMMISSION WHICH CAN BE
CONTROLLED BY CURRENT POLITICAL FACTIONS TO WASTE TIME AND PREVENT CHANGE.
LET US SEE IF THE PEOPLE AGREE THAT THIS CHANGE WOULD BE ADVANTAGEOUS AND
ACCEPTABLE
I have always suspected that we duplicate many efforts between the city and the county; specifically in areas of public safety and transportation. I voted for the city/county consolidation referendum when it was on the ballot 10 (or was it 12) years ago, and still think it a good idea.
I don't know that we need a ward system, as Stuart suggests. However, if consolidation were to happen, we need to make sure the the interests of, say, Neihart, are represented as are those of the various neighborhoods of Great Falls.
SoulTrain Israel Fair to Make Stop in Missoula
(Great Falls, April 22) – Can’t you just smell the frying falafel? A taste of Israel is coming to Missoula!
The Montana Association of Jewish Communities; Missoula’s Congregation Har Shalom and the University of Montana Hillel House have arranged for the Soultrain Israel Fair to make a stop in Missoula. The Fair, which will highlight Israeli culture through food, music, dance and crafts, will take place at Har Shalom’s new synagogue at 3035 S. Russell on Thursday, May 3 from 3 to 8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
The Fair will bring a small part of Israel to Montana. Programming for the event is directed to adults, children and teenagers throughout the State. Participants will get to know Israeli culture, get information about Israel, taste Jewish and Israeli food, dance Israeli dances, listen to Israeli music. In addition to a mini Israeli bazaar, with vendors stocking Israeli products, there will be arts and crafts projects, fun games and Israeli films for both the young and old.
SoulTrain is an Israeli outreach group that began in the Pacific Northwest in 1999. They have since expanded their activities across the United State, Europe and Africa, dedicated to bring Jewish and Israeli culture to small communities throughout the world. The organization has brought many Israeli cultural figures to Montana over the years. It’s mission is to connect to smaller Jewish communities in order to offer them a direct connection to Israel. Come learn about Israeli culture at this fun-filled family event!
For more information, call Congregation Har Shalom at 406-549-9595.
The Montana Association of Jewish Communities; Missoula’s Congregation Har Shalom and the University of Montana Hillel House have arranged for the Soultrain Israel Fair to make a stop in Missoula. The Fair, which will highlight Israeli culture through food, music, dance and crafts, will take place at Har Shalom’s new synagogue at 3035 S. Russell on Thursday, May 3 from 3 to 8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
The Fair will bring a small part of Israel to Montana. Programming for the event is directed to adults, children and teenagers throughout the State. Participants will get to know Israeli culture, get information about Israel, taste Jewish and Israeli food, dance Israeli dances, listen to Israeli music. In addition to a mini Israeli bazaar, with vendors stocking Israeli products, there will be arts and crafts projects, fun games and Israeli films for both the young and old.
SoulTrain is an Israeli outreach group that began in the Pacific Northwest in 1999. They have since expanded their activities across the United State, Europe and Africa, dedicated to bring Jewish and Israeli culture to small communities throughout the world. The organization has brought many Israeli cultural figures to Montana over the years. It’s mission is to connect to smaller Jewish communities in order to offer them a direct connection to Israel. Come learn about Israeli culture at this fun-filled family event!
For more information, call Congregation Har Shalom at 406-549-9595.
Monday, April 16
Apparently, I am Going to be Judged More Harshly ...
And I am OK with that.
Yesterday was Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Memorial Day. To commemorate those that perished and those that fought back, I helped to organize a service at the YWCA of Great Falls. I especially want to thank community leaders like Commissioner Beltrone, Mayor Stebbins and Chaplain McCain for taking part in the service.
The service was well attended and, I think, a very nice event. We certainly were able to both commemorate the fallen and raise awareness of current genocides, most specifically the crimes now happening daily in Darfur.
While we were setting up, a protester came by. A real-life protester at a HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL SERVICE. This guy, whom I will name Schmuckity McSchmuck henceforth on these pages, had a 15 foot pole on which he had a 3' square sign with "REPENT SINNERS" on one side and "ACCEPT JESUS" on the other. He spend about an hour standing in front of the Y reading out loud from the New Testament.
At one point, I went out to talk to Schmuckity. I invited him into the service, since we were talking about peace and I thought that the guy he was talking about also had something to say about peace. Schmuckity wasn't too interested in peace, apparently. He told me that us Jews were going to be judged more harshly for forsaking his savior.
Bizarre, no?
Anyway, despite Schmuckity, the service went very well. I especially want to thank the mayor for her gestures of support.
Yesterday was Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Memorial Day. To commemorate those that perished and those that fought back, I helped to organize a service at the YWCA of Great Falls. I especially want to thank community leaders like Commissioner Beltrone, Mayor Stebbins and Chaplain McCain for taking part in the service.
The service was well attended and, I think, a very nice event. We certainly were able to both commemorate the fallen and raise awareness of current genocides, most specifically the crimes now happening daily in Darfur.
While we were setting up, a protester came by. A real-life protester at a HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL SERVICE. This guy, whom I will name Schmuckity McSchmuck henceforth on these pages, had a 15 foot pole on which he had a 3' square sign with "REPENT SINNERS" on one side and "ACCEPT JESUS" on the other. He spend about an hour standing in front of the Y reading out loud from the New Testament.
At one point, I went out to talk to Schmuckity. I invited him into the service, since we were talking about peace and I thought that the guy he was talking about also had something to say about peace. Schmuckity wasn't too interested in peace, apparently. He told me that us Jews were going to be judged more harshly for forsaking his savior.
Bizarre, no?
Anyway, despite Schmuckity, the service went very well. I especially want to thank the mayor for her gestures of support.
Thursday, April 12
Great Job GFECSC Webmaster!
For the third year, I am coaching my son's Minibolt (soccer) team. My first practice with the new team (they voted on the name "Seahawks" -- I guess a few of them like the American Football) was this everning.
Anyway, I am not a soccer guru. For six year old soccer, my main focus is to make sure that a parent brings a team treat after each game.
For that reason, my kids have fun -- but the drilling of the soccer fundamentals might be a bit behind schedule.
This year, I was looking through the new website for the Electric City Soccer Club. Low and behold; lesson plans! Simple games/drills for the kids; and they actually learn something about the game.
Anyway, many thanks to the club and the the clubs webmaster for putting such useful information online. The boys had (and kicked) a ball!
Anyway, I am not a soccer guru. For six year old soccer, my main focus is to make sure that a parent brings a team treat after each game.
For that reason, my kids have fun -- but the drilling of the soccer fundamentals might be a bit behind schedule.
This year, I was looking through the new website for the Electric City Soccer Club. Low and behold; lesson plans! Simple games/drills for the kids; and they actually learn something about the game.
Anyway, many thanks to the club and the the clubs webmaster for putting such useful information online. The boys had (and kicked) a ball!
Wednesday, April 11
Lower North Side Mapril Cleanup
Neighborhood Council 7 and the Northside Neighborhood Watch are getting together to organize the annual MAPRIL CLEAN UP for our neighborhood on April 28, 2007.
Please volunteer to help disadvantaged Northside neighbors and to clean streets, avenues and alleys between Central Avenue and 8th Avenue North from River Drive to 9th Street.
To participate, show up at the community rec center (800 2nd Avenue North) at 8 a.m. on April 28.
Coffee, donuts and a picnic lunch will be provided.
Please volunteer to help disadvantaged Northside neighbors and to clean streets, avenues and alleys between Central Avenue and 8th Avenue North from River Drive to 9th Street.
To participate, show up at the community rec center (800 2nd Avenue North) at 8 a.m. on April 28.
Coffee, donuts and a picnic lunch will be provided.
Tuesday, April 10
Do you like the Lower-Side One Way Streets?
Three posts in two days may spell the end of my hiatus, but only time will really tell.
Another lower North and South side issue has arisen about which I need input. A group of downtown business owners are advocating for Fifth and Sixth Streets (North of Tenth Avenue South) be reset as two-way, instead of one-way throughfares.
They say that their current configuration makes visiting downtown businesses more difficult. In addition, the existence of these one-way streets increases the speed of traffic through residential neighborhoods. I suspect that this is all true.
In addition, conversations with city staff confirm that these Streets just do not see the traffic that might justify their existence as one-way. They were reset as one way streets many years ago with the idea of relieving traffic off Ninth Street. That idea has not worked.
HOWEVER, resetting these streets as two-way would certainly increase traffic on Ninth. I remain very concerned about all the traffic on Ninth -- it remains a dangerous and poorly planned North-South throughfare. This idea might make the problem all the worse.
So, what do you think? Is it a good idea to reset 5th and 6th? Or is the idea all wet?
Another lower North and South side issue has arisen about which I need input. A group of downtown business owners are advocating for Fifth and Sixth Streets (North of Tenth Avenue South) be reset as two-way, instead of one-way throughfares.
They say that their current configuration makes visiting downtown businesses more difficult. In addition, the existence of these one-way streets increases the speed of traffic through residential neighborhoods. I suspect that this is all true.
In addition, conversations with city staff confirm that these Streets just do not see the traffic that might justify their existence as one-way. They were reset as one way streets many years ago with the idea of relieving traffic off Ninth Street. That idea has not worked.
HOWEVER, resetting these streets as two-way would certainly increase traffic on Ninth. I remain very concerned about all the traffic on Ninth -- it remains a dangerous and poorly planned North-South throughfare. This idea might make the problem all the worse.
So, what do you think? Is it a good idea to reset 5th and 6th? Or is the idea all wet?
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