As I visit with groups and individuals, and receive Emails I will post the significant questions and answers to this page.  This will give me a better opportunity to make sure that what I think are key issues are same as yours.

I suggest you look at F.A.Q. (frequently asked questions) page where I have started to stated my position on several issues.

Keep checking back and forth to watch as these pages develops.

(1) What would you do as a commissioner to improve the air quality in Ravalli County?

     Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do about smoke from seasonal forest fires, but we can certainly start paving all the county dirt and gravel roads.  I seem to remember that about six or seven years ago there was either a State or Federal matching fund program that was suppose to help the county with paving to control dust.  Now, every developer has to pay voluntary contributions (a nice way of saying impact fees) to the County Road Dept.  Why hasn't the county continued to pave roads for the benefit of the community?
Another thing the county could do through its economic development programs would be to encourage more Re-Cycling businesses in the valley.  If it was more convenient to re-cycle, maybe less people would have burn piles, and the re-cycling industry could be another source of environmentally friendly employment.
 

(2) What elements would you include in a countywide zoning plan?

     Encourage cluster development in the towns along the highway.  This is where the most resources and infrastructure for homes and business already exist.  Exclude all un-developable areas like flood plains. high ground water, riparian areas, conservation easements, etc., lay a simple grid over the valley.  The smaller lots should be closer to the highway and as you go up the hillside the lots increase in size.  Include a variance procedure for people who request change.

(3) What do you believe will be the impact of the Bitterroot Resort on Ravalli county?  What should Ravalli County be doing to negate the impact?

     If the Bitterroot Resort and immediate areas are developed, the property values of homes in Florence will go up, (is this a bad thing?)  However there will be additional pressure on the Florence Carlton School system, Rural Fire Dept. and the county roads.  The school board has already proposed an impact fee, but there must be additional fees for road expansion and maintenance, as well as fire protection.  We have an opportunity now to institute reasonable and enforceable zoning before this happens.

(4) How far do you feel the streamside setbacks should be in Ravalli County?

     Minimum 150' streamside setback for all new structures.  If you would like a variance, then at your expense provide the scientific survey (prepared by a certified expert) to the Planning Board explaining your request.  In addition, provide an insurance bond of sufficient value to protect the downstream public if you are wrong.

(5) What experience do you have to manage a $23 million annual budget for Ravalli County?

     As a successful self employed businessman for over 35 years, I have owned and operated several companies that had multi million dollar operating budgets, and have negotiated labor and management contracts with employees including wages, collective bargaining, and benefits.  In a group (like the county government) I would be a team player, to manage the $23,351,330.00 budget and bring my experience, work ethic, and problem solving ability to the table, while encouraging dialog and compromise.

(6) What do you see as the biggest law enforcement challenges for the Ravalli County Sheriff's Office?

     The 911 service needs a better location, more staff, and training.  The Sheriff's facility needs remodeling, and better communication equipment.  It goes without saying that as more people move into the valley (some in remote hard to access areas) the Sheriff's resources will be stretched.  His budget needs to be a priority to insure public safety.

(7) Should Ravalli County establish a water quality district?

     At this time, I am not in favor of a water quality district.  There are currently Nine agencies and special interest groups that already monitor water quality.  We don't need another advisory board that doesn't have any real authority of law.  If we are going to spend the tax payer's money, I would like to see a Local Water Court, staffed be professionals and with the power to fine and adjudicate grievances.

(8) Do you have any ideas about how to save county funds to help offset the budget problems?  Do you have any efficiency suggestions to make the county run better?

     Department heads need to be accountable for their budgets.  Review all service contracts, centralized purchasing and create a motor pool.  Combine departments, cancel underused and under funded programs. Annual employee performance reviews, with incentive rewards instead of automatic raises.  Aggressively apply for Federal and private grants.  Put pressure on the State Legislature to fund the county for all the problems they have not resolved and pass back to the county.  Hire a County Administrator and, begin to delegate authority.  Provide a higher lever of service to the citizens, and plan for the future.

(9) What should the county collect impact fees on? (In addition to roads and schools?)

     Every aspect of county government and the infrastructure to provide services to the public are impacted by a larger population.  Fire, police, schools, roads, medical and emergency service, parks, recreational opportunities, air quality, transportation, etc.  Property taxes on a home do not cover the cost of service.  Impact fees help, but they are not the solution. For all practical purposes an 'impact fee is a one time tax on a builder/developer to cover the effect of additional population on a community.  However, they do not solve the budget problems or, cover the costs of ongoing community service and government.  I believe impact fees should be paid by the developers, proportionate to the size of their development.  Most responsible builder/developers don't mind paying these fees provided they can actually see that the community has benefited.  By that I mean; "If you took money from me to pave the road...then pave the road!"

(10) How should the county handle future development issues?

     Lets remember that all development is not bad, and change is inevitable.  We need growth to keep a healthy economy, and keep our middle class working.  The availability and quality of Water, more than land is the real determining factor where we can build.  This will define how much population expansion the valley can sustain.  It's time we had Zoning Regulations that are fair and apply to everyone, and a growth plan that looks to our future.  A bi-partisan common sense approach could have done this years ago.

(11)  What are the top three resources in Ravalli County, and how can the county preserve them?

     The environmental answer would be; Land, Water, and Air.  The humanist answer would be; our Citizens, our Children, and our Communities.  The economic answer would be; our Businesses, our Industry, and Tourism.  All of these resources can be preserved by; Knowledge (understanding the issues and knowing the law)  Respect (listening to peoples concerns and, accepting new ideas) and,
Co-operation (compromise, see the solution, not the problem)