Page 28 - Flathead Beacon // 12.3.14

28 | DECEMBER 3, 2014 OPINION
LETTERS
RETURN SURPLUS TO TAXPAYERS
I read an article a while back about “Montana worker’s comp funds pays $20 million in dividends.” I thought this was a great idea. Because the fund took in so much extra money that it did not have to use, it was returning a large sum of cash to be distributed among those who contributed. Great concept!
I wish that our governor, Steve Bullock, would take a cue from this and consider returning some of the money over paidintaxestothosewhohavecarriedthe burden so long. Of course he won’t.
He has already set his sights on the extra money to fund his pet projects. He wants to leave a surplus of $300 million to cover any unforeseen expenses. Here’s a novel idea, governor. Refund $300 to every man, woman and child in the state. That will help folks meet their rising power bills. Heck, it may even jumpstart the economy. Then live within a budget like the rest of us.
Don’t spend it just because it is there.
Richard Funk Kalispell
ILLOGICAL DEFINES MIDTERM RESULTS
In the midterm election of 2014, the American people have spoken, and the results are curious. Curious because logic doesn’t always define American politics. Throughout American history, there have been examples of illogic in so many elections that the lack of reason seems to be the norm. Take for example the presidency of James K. Polk. In spite of the fact that he campaigned and succeeded on his campaign promises, he still lost his reelection. Or how about George H.W. Bush, who showed skilled leadership in organizing nations of the Middle East called “Desert Storm” in order to stop the aggression of Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait? What happened? In spite of his incredible 75 percent public approval, he lost his reelection. Now here we are again.
Illogical defines much of the 2014 midterms, even though it is reasonable that constituents might feel disillusioned about the current state of our national government. Consider this: corporate profits are at record highs and America is adding 200,000 jobs per month. People are unhappy after the financial problems we sustained before President Barack Obama was elected; yet, unemployment is below 6 percent, our Gross National Product growth is the highest among the world’s developmental countries, the dollar is at its strongest levels in years, the stock market is near record highs, gasoline prices are falling, there’s no inflation, U.S. oil production is rapidly increasing, the
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deficit is declining at a rapid rate, and the wealthy are still making an staggering amount of money.
The United States is once again highly respected internationally (though the wiretapping of European leaders by the NSA didn’t help). But, it is a stark contrast of how the world viewed America during the George W. Bush presidency. President Obama brought the soldiers home from Iraq as promised (before the emergence of ISIS), and he is responsible for killing Osama bin Laden. Yet the GOP campaigned on an anti-Obama platform in the midterms – and it worked.
In other words, Americans elected into office members of the same political party that got us into our international and financial problems that we now face. Congressionalpublicapprovalislessthan 15 percent! Why is this? Why did this anti- Obama strategy work? Could it be that the GOP was able to convince Americans that all our problems were because of a black president? Or, was it just easier to blame one person (the president) rather than Congress? Could it be the constant drumbeat of negative attacks from birth certificates to Benghazi and immigration reform on the president? Or could it be simply the obstructionist strategy of the Republican Party in Congress to deny the president any success whatsoever, even if it means shutting down the government to do it? Politics is a blood sport, but when it sacrifices the good of the country it is always counterproductive. The GOP is certainly effective in campaigning, but if recent history is any indication, not so impressive in implementing policy. But, like I said, sometimes illogic is the norm in American politics.
David James Eureka
COMING SOON! BACKYARD RENTAL UNITS
A new county proposal to allow backyard rental units, or Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) as the county calls them, in many zones throughout the county is not the answer to the county’s affordable housing needs. As proposed this widespread new county zoning change fails to include provisions that could help secure much needed affordable housing options. Instead it will more likely cause neighborhood and neighbor- to-neighbor conflict. The lack of oversight and enforcement as complaints arise is an issue, as is the potential for these units to get promoted as high-priced vacation and short-term rentals with no provisions for policing rental activity. With no requirements for owner occupancy of the main house on the property, both units can be rented.
As proposed, neighborhoods are not provided an opportunity for public comment on the addition of these rental units. Quiet neighborhoods will likely see more noise, traffic, blocked views, and loss of privacy. This zone change needs significant revision before the county
commissioners make a final decision on this proposal.
The Flathead County commissioners held a public hearing on this proposal on Nov. 17 and, with the exception of a representative for the Realtor’s Association and a planning board member, those speaking and sending written comments overwhelmingly opposed this new zone change. The Commissioners tabled their final decision until Dec. 9 at 10 a.m. While the commissioners will not take comment at the 10 a.m. meeting, the public can email comments to the county commissioners up until this hearing at [email protected] and comments can be mailed to 800 S. Main St., Kalispell, MT 59901.
Citizens for a Better Flathead joined those urging the commissioners to revise this proposed zone. The changes we suggested included requiring neighborhoods or zoned areas to first petition and show support for the addition of ADUs to their area. We said this should include a public hearing process and the development of set standards for ADUs appropriate to that particular area. We said a one-size fits all policy wasn’t appropriate for the diverse neighborhoods of the valley. We recommended that the size and height of ADUs be capped and extra care be given to retaining existing trees, vegetation, and preventing degrading changes to neighborhood character.
We pointed out that a review of best practices for ADUs, across the northwest and nation, showed that making a condition of having an owner- occupied home on properties permitted to have ADUs helped ensure they were better managed. We encouraged the commissioners to put guidelines in place that, in return for the right to add an additional rental unit, the rents would be capped to ensure the additional housing would indeed be affordable. We noted that incentives, like property tax breaks, could help secure affordable rental rates as well. Our comments to the commissioners are on our web site at www.flatheadcitizens. org.
Affordable housing, options for seniors, single parents, and young families to remain in their homes or to find homes in desirable neighborhoods, or to obtain extra income, security, companionship, and services by adding ADUs are all important county and city concerns that need to be worked on jointly by these governing bodies. Accessory Dwelling Units can play an important role in addressing the evolving housing needs in a community if the standards for, and location of, such housing units are carefully drafted to provide safeguards for the property rights and expectations of those who have invested in homes and property based on the existing zoning and neighborhood character of the area.
Mayre Flowers, executive director Citizens for a Better Flathead
LETTERS
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to prevent libel. Letters must include the writer’s first and last name, phone number and address for verification purposes. Only the name and hometown of the writer will be printed. To mail a letter, please send to 17 Main Street, Kalispell, MT 59901.
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CORRECTIONS
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