Month: September 2020

The other day I noticed my opponents yard sign in front of a business I frequented. I stewed over this observation, defensively proclaiming, “Maybe I should stop dong business with the proprietor”. I’ve run into folks who say to me, “I simply can’t vote for a Democrat any more, I now your’e a nice person, I voted for you twice before” My response might include, “You need to follow your conscience, I’ll be representing you whether you vote for me or not…maybe you’d consider leaving this race blank on your ballot”.

Abiding by this philosophy, I though it reasonable that the proprietor promote whatever political speech acceptable to his personal views. Our past conversations have always been congenial on the political front. I had hoped he would maintain a certain neutrality when it came to “endorsing” a candidate. I would not hesitate to recommend the services provided by the proprietor. I would hope he would not hesitate to recommend services I provide in my business. Political advice? Let’s not seek it from one another, there’s no need to sever a professional relationship over a yard sign.

Political signs are being vandalized. Such acts are an extreme abridgment of one’s first amendment rights. Slashing or disfiguring a sign is tantamount to forcibly duct taping one’s mouth shut.

Yard signs have been a helpful tool for my campaign. Over multiple elections the sign has developed a name and “brand” recognition. This is especially helpful following multiple door to door campaigns. Often times we (the candidate and voter), have been able to meet one another. When we finally meet, the comment by the voter often follows this line, “I’ve seen your signs, I’m glad to finally met you”. A sign should boldly proclaim ones name. The color and style should be consistent from year to year. Sign and door knocking work well together. This year, the Covid induced campaign substitutes a regiment of calling in front of the house for door knocking. This may lead to a socially distanced conversation, a phone call or a simply a literature drop.

An opponents yard sign by whom you assumed was a supporter or neutral entity can be a let down. Nobody is neutral. When the signs come down, business goes on as it should.

Since this campaign is being done exclusively by bicycle, I should talk about the perils of cycling (and driving), on District 5 and nearby roads. A week or so ago I met with MDT Regional Director Bob Vosen to discuss my concerns. I invited my friend, Rep. Frank Garner, Kalispell to join us. The meeting was held in the Midway Mini-Mart Parking lot, Happy Valley, the heart of roadway blues, with high speed 93 bifurcating Forrest Acres, a large mobile home community, the store and the residential area known as Happy Valley. A District 5 constituent was involved in a near death experience at the corner of Blanchard Lake Rd. and HWY 93. With the diplomacy of Frank Garner, I think we were able to convince Director Vosen that this intersection is a hazard. The Iverson’s are one of four home owners on a private road (Iverson Lane), across and slightly north of the intersection of HWY 40. I’ve visited the Iverson’s two times and they patiently explained to me that one can’t safely leave Iverson onto HWY 93 unless one turns south. If you want to turn north? That’s a risk because usually there is a line of vehicles waiting to turn onto HWY 40 on the middle turn lane.

A general safety study is needed on HWY 93 between Happy Valley and Spokane Avenue. The problem is that not enough fatalities have occurred to warrant a study. I suggested to Director Vosen that HWY 93 is doing nothing very well siting such factors as too much speed, too many points of access and egress, too many game crossings and a failure to safely accommodate pedestrian and bike usage between HWY 40 and the north Kalispell sprawl.

Flathead County (the commissioners), have no interest in taking on the maintenance costs of a bike/pedestrian trail between HWY 40 and Kalispell. This is shortsighted failure to recognize the Covid induced resurgence of cycling and walking and the burgeoning recreational economy, driving growth and life style choices in the Flathead. There is some potential light at the end of the tunnel. Vosen told us that Whitefish Stage will be widened between HWY 40 and Reserve to accommodate four foot shoulders. This improvement may not be safe enough for the casual rider but equipped with helmet and rearview mirror, the improvements will be significant. It’s anyone’s guess when this will occur.

Wisconsin Ave. is at overcapacity. I suggested that the Whitefish City council petition the commissioners to request MDT to make the stretch between Baker and the The Big Mountain intersection a primary road. Apparently this is such a big deal that the HWY commissioners are reluctant to grant such status. Recently, Reserve Rd. was granted primary status with help from the local political entities and the Kalispell Chamber. The process from secondary to primary, potentially fast tracks highway dollars to a primary designated road.

The last properties were recently purchased to allow for the reconstruction of HWY 93 leaving Whitefish beyond the deadly turnoff to the Twin Bridges Road. Two years ago, campaigning on my bike in the fringes of precinct 45, west and north of town, I had a tire blow out, causing me to take a dump resuting in road rash and a disfigured finger near the then Fish House. It was my fault for riding on a crappy tire but the road, with its high scare factor, made the experience a bit more maddening.

Well, the three of us, with Vosen’s spouse waiting patiently in their Honda, had a productive meeting in the Covid era zoom-free meeting at the mini-mart parking lot. Frank and I sit on the House Transportation Committee. So, along with our constituent’s complaints, we have a heightened sense of urgency regarding our transportation challenges. Of course, Frank made it clear that the priority ought to be the immediate upgrade of Reserve Road. Rooting for the home team is an understandable position for a legislator.