My husband and I own and operate a hay farm in southern Lake County. We supported keeping the density map as a regulatory document in order to preserve farms, ranches, and open spaces. The density map allowed for development but steered it toward cities and towns.
We do not want to see Lake County become like Flathead County, with its sprawling subdivisions, or Ravalli County, with its chock-a-block development that has eaten up open spaces and agricultural land.
Imagine our surprise, and that of other density map supporters, to see Lake County commissioners vote to overturn the density map and make it “advisory” only – or essentially meaningless.
Our surprise stems from the fact that a solid majority of public comments supported the regulatory map; the Lake County Planning Board recommended keeping the map regulatory; and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes government pledged to work with the county to jointly implement the regulations, even offering to negotiate a formal agreement toward that end.
It is time to have county commissioners who listen to the voters. Caroline McDonald will restore much-needed cooperation between the county commission and other local governments and organizations dedicated to finding cooperative solutions to our shared problems.
Please vote on Nov. 6, and please vote to restore accountability and cooperation by electing Caroline McDonald.
Joanna Shelton
Moiese