gffirefly

in summary...

2010-10-28T16:50:00.000-06:00

this deserved attention in 2006. Or 2008. I think the City should get out of ECP immediately… pay off the water credit to SME... Re negotiate the water agreement with SME, remember, it specifically states it applies to a coal plant... then we would have the water reservation for future growth and the only question would be if the combination of the WRS contract and Lawtons authority to sign as the City representative were sufficent authority to sign the 2006 amendment, as DNRC seems to believe. Well that and the so far factless fraud allegations by Ms. Parks.

posted 3/08

2010-10-28T10:45:00.001-06:00

The City filed a change application for use of its Water Reservation. The purpose of this was to allow up to 3,200 gallons per minute and up to 5,165 acre feet per year for use at the Highwood Generating Station.

PPL Montana filed an objection. How could they not? They run hydroelectric generation facilities on the Missouri River.

However, on July 16, 2007, that objection was withdrawn, as a result of a settlement agreement between PPL, SME, and the City of Great Falls. I will get it online, but for now I am going to quotes items 5, 6 and part of 9.

5. At any time the amount of water returned to the city at the Highwood return point is less than twenty five percent (25%) of the amount of water that is diverted at the Morony p.o.d., PPL shall be provided with mitigation measures in accordance with the side agreement between PPL, the City and SME, which are set forth in paragraph 9.

6. the total volume of water that can be diverted in an calendar year at the Morony p.o.d. under this change authorization shall not exced 3,999 acre feet. If, for whatever reason, the Higwood Generating Station requires any additional volume of water at the Morony p.o.d. in any calendar year, that additional water must come from another water right or rights.

9. (d) for each month within which there is Lost Generation amount, SME shall, before the end of the subsequent calendar month, make a payment to PPL that compensates PPL for the monetary value of the Lost Generation Amount for the prior calendar month.

So, in addition to not having access to the entire amount of water Highwood actually needs to operate, we are now required to return 25% of the water we do get to use to the river. How? In the SME scoping documents which are part of the final EIS, it notes that if the plant uses 2500 gpm, it will return 175 gpm. That is not even close to 25%. We would have to have a return of 625 gpm. Of course, the plant is expected to use closer to 3,200 gpm. We will be paying PPL for use of our own water and Highwood will be using water from another water right.

Cost based power just got a little more expensive.

From the documents GeeGuy just posted, I have deduced this Settlement Agreement never went before the City Commission. I wonder who wrote it.

To be continued...

part 2

2010-10-28T10:44:00.000-06:00

"The City of Great Falls is embarrassed to defend an 1889 53,000 acre-ft/yr water right."

I don't agree the City is embarrassed. I think the City is realistic. Below, I posted the issue remarks on municipal claims for the City of Billings. They are multiple, on every right, and are very legitimate.

Right now, on the abstracts that I can see, the only issue remarks for these three Historic Great Falls claims are relative to no volume being claimed on two of them. This is because the three claims share the 20,140 a/f volume, and this should not be an issue with DNRC.

Great Falls has reasonable claims, backed up by historic, beneficial use. CCE stated "City documents show Great Falls pumped between 48 million and 55 million gallons of water per day in the sixties". I would like to see those documents, but apparently, WRSI has recently been asked to review them. From the letter, we get an idea of what the documents are.

There is some information in the DNRC files. This is pages 13 and 14 of the claim record for 41QJ 123411, the 1966 right. This is page 30 from the same 1966 right. I will be refering to them below.

In the second paragraph of the letter, Mr. Schmidt discusses a memo, and if he is correctly reporting what the memo says, it doesn't seem to have great value.

Regarding the third paragraph, I have a copy of the Location of Water Right Notice of Appropriation. It is a very poor copy, but it states the claim is for 74 cfs. I don't really see anything suspect about it.

Fourth paragraph, I agree, this has no bearing on historic use.

The first paragraph on the second page shows volume calculations and notes that this volume would be difficult to justify. Excessive volume is also a concern in the DNRC issue remarks on the pre-amendment claim file, which notes that the claimed volume equals 1083 gallons per capita, per day. 250 gallons is apparently standard.

The last sentence of the last paragraph caught my notice. "In my view, this question has been vetted, rational explained and voted upon, and there is no smoking gun."

Voted apon by whom? And when?

Now in my primer below, I noted the basic facts regarding the Historic Water rights claimed by Great Falls. In my opinion, based on the information in the DNRC files, and the work of WRSI that I have access to, I believe the action taken regarding these rights was appropriate.

The volume of water is the only thing that decreased, and the volume now claimed, 20,140 a/f, is the amount of water that an estimated population of 71,920 would use. The City has preserved that as the claimed amount for pre 1973 historical, beneficial use. At this time, there appear to be no issue remarks of any significance on that claim. During the adjudication process, DNRC will probably review it and enter it in the decree as it is.

If the amount had remained at over 73,000a/f, there is every likelyhood that other water rights holders in the Missouri and Sun River Basins would have objected to it. DNRC already had issue remarks on it for excessive claimed volume. In the adjudication process, DNRC would accept evidence from the objectors, proving what they think the volume should be, evidence from the City on what we think the volume should be, they would review everything, and then decide what volume we get.

Page 30, link above, shows how the population figure for the current claimed amount was reached.
Page 14 shows water withdrawals by year and acre feet. I simply do not see any evidence WRSI should have done anything differently.

However, I certainly believe this information should have been presented and explained to the City Commission, before all interested citizens, and should be considered public record, maintained by the City Clerk, and available for inspection and copying to any and every citizen who walks in City Hall and requests it.

I find it quite troubling that a City Commissioner repeatedly requested information relative to this water right file, and was denied access to it. The DNRC file has many documents that are not scanned and posted online. WRSI has those complete files, and they are easily available to the City, if in fact, they are not in someones office.

a quick primer

2010-10-28T10:39:00.001-06:00

I see confusion about the actual amounts of water involved here. As has been noted, I sometimes assume readers know more of the background information on what I am writing about than they actually may.

1889 right, 41QJ 123410. This is a Filed Appropriation Right with a priority date of 8/30/1889. Flow rate claimed is 74 cfs. Volume claimed was 53,574 a/f per year.

Water rights 123408 (1971) and 123411 (1966) are supplemental to this original right.

The 1971 right was for flow of 7 cfs and volume of 5,068 a/f. The 1966 right was for flow of 20 cfs and volume of 14,480 a/f.

This brings our totals to flow of 101cfs and volume of 73,122 a/f. To achieve anything near this volume of use, Great Falls would have to divert the maximum flow of 101 cfs of water 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This volume is unsupported by any historic use. Historic use is water we can prove we diverted for beneficial use prior to the 1973 Water Use Act. We cannot show we used that much water, and we cannot prove we have the capacity to store that much water.

So, in 2006, these claims were amended.

1966 right was amended to 0 volume, flow remained 20 cfs.
1971 right was amended to 0 volume but cfs was raised from 7 to 60.
1889 right remained 74 cfs and the volume was adjusted to 20,140 a/f, which volume is shared with the other two rights, as they are supplemental.

This brings the total for these three rights to flow of 154 cfs and volume of 20,140 a/f.

If you compare this flow rate to other cities, (excluding Billings) you will see it appears appropriate, and while many of them claim higher volume amounts, these typically have issue remarks and will probably be lowered during the adjudication process to conform to the flow rates. If you claim 2 a/f, but can only support usage for 1 a/f prior to 1973, DNRC is going to take your other a/f of volume.

Now the Water Reservation comes in. Based on growth predictions, and the knowledge that the adjudication process was coming, Great Falls wanted to secure additional water beyond the 1973 historical beneficial use allocations. Municipalities were given the option of filing water reservations, which Great Falls did. This 1985 reservation claims flow of 9,155 gpm, and volume of 6,489 a/f.

This is what Balzarini noted was about .004 % of the river flow. This reservation has no bearing on any historic use, and must be proven before it is a right.

Remember, these historic water rights listed above are based on pre 1973 water use. If we need more water in the future, we have to find it somewhere else.

part 1 originally posted 8/08

2010-10-28T10:34:00.001-06:00

A recent post regarding Billings water rights came up on Cataract City. I understand that it was written by CCE folks, and originally posted on the CCE website site, but the blog is easier to link to, and it is a reprint of the same post.

"Billings is planning on defending 400,000 acre-ft per year of water rights. The City of Great Falls is embarrassed to defend an 1889 53,000 acre-ft/yr water right. Billings is defending a water right over seven times as large as Great Falls, but its population is only twice as large."

I cannot find anything, on the Billings City site, or any news article, that discusses this "defense" of the Historic Billings water rights.

The first thing to note is there isn't actually a whole lot you can do to defend a municipal water right. You basically have to prove historic beneficial use of that amount of water. I believe it will be very difficult, if not impossible, for Billings to support it's currently claimed rights.

Billings has three major municipal water rights claims, all out of the Yellowstone River, and all with pretty good priority dates. There is a lot of water being claimed there, and all three of these rights are being challenged by multiple entitys, entitys with very legitimate claims.

43Q-W-208213-00
OWNER: SOURCE:
CITY OF BILLINGS: YELLOWSTONE RIVER
OBJECTOR: NATURE OF OBJECTION:
CROW TRIBE OF INDIANS: PLACE OF USE, MAXIMUM ACRES, VOLUME, FLOW RATE, ABANDONMENT, NON-PERFECTION
BUREAU OF RECLAMATION: ABANDONMENT, NON-PERFECTION
BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS: PLACE OF USE, MAXIMUM ACRES, VOLUME, FLOW RATE
DNRC EXAMINATION REPORT ISSUES: FLOW RATE, PLACE OF USE, MAXIMUM ACRES, VOLUME
(Claim: 3000 cfs, 2,172,000 volume)

43Q-W-208214-00
OWNER: SOURCE:
CITY OF BILLINGS: YELLOWSTONE RIVER
OBJECTOR: NATURE OF OBJECTION:
CROW TRIBE OF INDIANS: PRIORITY DATE, PLACE OF USE, MAXIMUM ACRES, VOLUME, FLOW RATE, ABANDONMENT, NON-PERFECTION
BUREAU OF RECLAMATION: ABANDONMENT, NON-PERFECTION
BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS: PRIORITY DATE, PLACE OF USE, MAXIMUM ACRES, VOLUME, FLOW RATE
DNRC EXAMINATION REPORT ISSUES: FLOW RATE, VOLUME, PLACE OF USE
(Claim: 2000 cfs, 1,448,000 volume)

43Q-W-208215-00
OWNER: SOURCE:
CITY OF BILLINGS: YELLOWSTONE RIVER
OBJECTOR: NATURE OF OBJECTION:
CROW TRIBE OF INDIANS: PRIORITY DATE, PLACE OF USE, MAXIMUM ACRES, VOLUME, FLOW RATE, ABANDONMENT, NON-PERFECTION
BUREAU OF RECLAMATION: VOLUME, FLOW RATE BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS: PRIORITY DATE, PLACE OF USE, MAXIMUM ACRES, VOLUME, FLOW RATE
DNRC EXAMINATION REPORT ISSUES: FLOW RATE, PLACE OF USE, MAXIMUM ACRES, PRIORITY DATE, VOLUME
(Claim: 648 cfs, 469,152 volume)

As you can see, DNRC has some work to do. The claims by Crow Tribe and BIA are fairly serious, and on the last water right, it appears DNRC will be examing the priority date. This is actually the earliest Billings right, with a volume of 648 cfs, a volume of 469,152 a/f and a priority date of 6/2/1885. (one acre foot is equal to 43,560 cubic feet)

This is in fact, the smallest claimed municipal right for Billings. Crow Tribe has a priority date of 1868, and some pretty bad-ass documents to defend its claims. They are challenging flow rate and volume on each of these Billings rights, and if the amounts claimed by Billings are correct, they are so outragously high, I really see no way the City can prove historic, beneficial use at these levels for any of these municipal rights, let alone all three.

If I am reading these right, Billings is claiming a total volume of 4,089,152 a/f and flow of 5,648 cfs total for just these three rights. For comparison purposes, the Yellowstone River USGS gauge at Billings MT is discharging about 9,000 cfs right now.

These amounts are outragous. Using Billings claims to rationalize that Great Falls should claim excessive water use strikes me as petty, and counter productive. We don't get to decide how much water we want, we must prove how much water we justifiably need.

originally posted 11/08

2010-10-28T10:22:00.001-06:00

I have written a fair bit about water rights and knowing that the DNRC is currently in the process of scanning a great deal of water rights information into its online database, I checked back there recently to see if there was anything new going on.

They now have the original City application for our water reservation, which was secured by the City two decades ago in anticipation of the Adjudication process, and the projected need for water in the future. On the whole, it is very dry reading.

In a nutshell, the City applied for the reservation, and supplied supporting information relevant to future growth, future use, population projections and such. (They were a little optimistic concerning population projections.)

Now, many people have been saying that the City should have kept its claim for historic use, disregarding the fact that there was no legitimate basis for that amount of consumptive use. Despite my personal conspiracy thereory regarding why we were in such a rush to drop the access amount, I really don't see the big issue, because I believe that the excess would have been taken during the adjudication process, and we could very well have ended up with less than we are now claiming. I think sticking with a claim we can support, and which has not been objected to, is the best gamble.

During my perusal of the water reservation documents, I noted a bit of history on page 34. (It is actually more like page 46 in the actual file, but it is page 34 in the docs supporting the application, so I am going with that.)

"Although water rights exceed plant capacity, it is prudent for the city to reserve future water needs. The basis for this recommendation is the possibility that the adjudication process will reduce the right to that which the city has beneficially used in the past. The Water Courts recently denied the City of Troy a claim to water in excess of its historic needs, even though diversion capacity was larger than needed but less than the claim (Case 760-79, DNRC. 1988). As stated in the ruling, "Appropriators of water cannot maintain a valid claim to an amount of water in excess of the beneficial use to which it is applied, and when the appropriator or his successor ceases to use the water for such beneficial purpose, the right ceases." (emphasis added)

This is a document submitted by the City, to secure this water reservation, which uses the possible projected loss of our excess claims as a basis for securing the water reservation. This was filed with DNRC and dated 1988.

Now, in 2008, We have adjusted those claimed historic rights. We are anticipating selling water to SME from this water reservation. We are selling IMC water from this reservation, and may need to supply them more in the future, for which there are existing contracts.

Now, the City is anticipating the need for additional water for the future. For this future need, they anticipate spending about $10 million, with another $200,000 just to get it done. Lets think about this. The amount of water the City is looking at is around the same amount as the water reservation, of which a portion is dedicated to IMC, and a portion is dedicated to SME, if they can figure out how to get it.

By my calculations, if we sell the coal plant 3,200 gpm, 24 hours a day, for 30 years, we will make a total of $8,073,216 off the sale of the water. If the plant uses water for 40 years, that total will go to $10,764,288.

It seems relatively simple to me to look at this, and say, if SME loses the water, we get it back, and satisfy the need for water for future use. If SME uses the water, that revenue should cover purchase of new rights, over time, and there really is no need for the City to charge or tax its residents for purchase of new water.

It seems the recent City government has spent an awful lot of money and effort working on the same things their predecessors apparently had a pretty good grasp on 20 years ago.

As an aside, I had a conversation with someone, I don't remember who, regarding pumps that have been installed for water diversion for the water treatment plant. This water reservation application has a "Historical Summary of Water System Improvements", through 1980, and a table of "Low Service Pumps and Drives" through 1971. These two documents are relevant to the historic use of the City of Great Falls.

billings update originally posted sometime in the past...

2010-10-28T10:20:00.000-06:00

First, some history on what I am talking about, which is the City of Billings claimed water rights. Some time ago I questioned claims that our City should defend excess amounts of claimed water, based on what was happening in Billings. Since then, the adjudication process has been churning along, and now we have new information. This is all public record, which can be accessed at the DNRC website. To view the scanned water right files you need a viewer, which you can download there.

This however, is from the Temp. decree, which is going into the Objections stage. These are issue remarks on the three municipal claims for the City of Billings.

Two of these claims are supplemental, however, the claimed diversion and volume amounts are all added together to equal the maximum diversion of water that the Billings water system could handle - in 1973.

THE CLAIMED FLOW RATE IS IN QUESTION. ACCORDING TO INFORMATION IN THE CLAIM FILE, THE CAPACITY OF THE DIVERSION SYSTEM IS 150.70 CFS.

PLACE OF USE: ACCORDING TO INFORMATION IN THE CLAIM FILE, IT IS NOTED THAT AS THE CITY GROWS IN THE FUTURE, THE PLACE OF USE WILL BE ENLARGED. IT IS QUESTIONED WHETHER THE PLACE OF USE MAY BE INCREASED BEYOND THE CLAIMED WATER SERVICE AREA.

PRIORITY DATE:THE PRIORITY DATE IS IN QUESTION. ACCORDING TO INFORMATION IN THE CLAIM FILE, CONSTRUCTION OF THE WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM BEGAN IN THE SPRING OF 1885, CUSTOMERS BEGAN BEING CONNECTED TO THE SYSTEM IN THE FALL OF 1886, AND CONSTRUCTION COMPLETED IN JANUARY, 1887. SYSTEM WAS FIRST TESTED IN MARCH, 1887.

SUPPLEMENTAL RIGHTS: THE COMBINED CLAIMED VOLUME FOR THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS IS 59,280 GALLONS PER CAPITA PER DAY (GCPD) BASED ON THE 1970 CENSUS POPULATION OF 61,581 PEOPLE AND A TOTAL CLAIMED VOLUME OF 4,089,152 ACRE-FEET. THIS APPEARS EXCESSIVE FOR THE CLAIMED PURPOSE. W208213-00, W208214-00, W208215-00.

SUPPLEMENTAL RIGHTS:THE COMBINED CLAIMED FLOW RATE FOR THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS IS 5,648 CFS WHICH APPEARS TO EXCEED THE CAPACITY OF THE DIVERSION SYSTEM. AS OF 1973, THE TOTAL CAPACITY WAS 150.73 CFS. W208213-00, W208214-00, W208215-00.

1885 priority date: This is the date of the claimed right. From the remarks above, it appears that Billings could not have begun using the claimed right in 1885.

Diversion capacity: This is the amount of water that the City has the actual capability to divert from the river. It appears clear that at no time have they had the capability to divert more than 150.73 cfs. Not 5,648 cfs. 150.73 cfs is the most water this system was able to divert, pre 1973, and that is all they can legitimately claim.

Claimed volume: As you can see, the volume claimed would equal 59,280 gallons of water per day for each and every person in the city of Billings. From what information I can find, 250 gallons per day per person is standard.

So there you have it. Remember, there are already objections to these claims lodged by senior, upstream water right holders, with very good claims. And do not forget the claims by Wyoming, which are also very real and legitimate.

Hello everyone

2010-08-13T17:52:00.002-06:00

My it has been awhile. In case you didn't notice, I am having difficulty with the other spot. I am not sure if this is going to work but hey, if you don't try, you'll never know, right.
Anyhow, a little bird recently told me a story about the city's water rights being an issue... again. All I can say is research the 1973 water use act. It's in the MCA. This isn't rocket science, folks.
I have also been informed that some new stuff has been submitted to DNRC, in such fine form as to confuse the water Masters. That is pretty impressive, if you ask me, which you didn't.
I'll tell you about how they could fix that, if anyone is interested.
I also note the new Planning Director is dazzling in his interpretation of zoning laws. Nice to know adult oriented business are not a blight on the downtown as long as the primary purpose is selling "clothes" instead of adult oriented items.
And the City is moving right along with that sign code enforcement things now aren't they. There are no temporary banners used as primary signage, and Sandwich boards are so well controlled. I know a guy who put it a 4x8 wall sign almost a year ago. He asked me the other day about turning in his permit application. Apparently it has been sitting on his desk since last october.

Well. There's a start. I may elucidate on any or all of those depending on my interest in them in the morning.

Oh.

2007-04-21T00:29:00.000-06:00

FYI

Ok, I'm full of crap.

2007-04-11T18:11:00.000-06:00

I'm not going to stop blogging.
I couldn't do that, Hawkeye just got here, TSJ might be returning, slowly, and Sue called me Buttercup! (Did she go to High School with someone named Buttercup?)
Who was that other guy that commented...

David has probably been getting a real kick out of this, since he is setting me up with a different site, where I can change things (colors, themes, etc.) at a whim. I'll probably do more playing with my blog than actual writing. Well, to be honest, that's what I have been doing. I promise I'll have it up and running soon...

...Justin! No, no, no, I was not the Naked Peta Chick! I made fun of the N.P.C.! And speaking of that, why do people who are protesting something get away with things like that? If there was a protest on Central, Oh, how about People Emulating Transvestite Ardvarks lobbying in opposition of the Proposed Coal Plant, (PETA, lobbying in opposition of PCP) naked of course, on Central, do ya think they might be shut down?

Ok, I'm gonna go.
I have to finish the new header for the other site, and I have like, three or four posts to finish. (only one of which is on the Coal Plant!)

Hmm..

2007-04-06T18:45:00.000-06:00

I see I have another referral from a google search for the ever popular "Coors Light Party Ball". Also got a hit for "Naked Peta Chick"!

By the way, In case anyone is wondering, yeah, I've pretty much given up on this site. It just does not give me the joy it used to. I may just make it a photo site. No, not those photo's, ya perverts!

Anyway, have a great Friday night!

2007-03-28T20:36:00.000-06:00

Nice sign. Wonder if that got inspected.

Cool.

2007-03-28T20:30:00.000-06:00

We are bloggers

2007-03-12T19:12:00.000-06:00

Dave wrote a nice piece the other day. Made me think about how I look at things since I started blogging. Blogging can actually make your life appear more interesting than it really is. It also makes me think alot more about how different people see the same issues, and how a little extra information can make the difference.
But the main thing blogging has done for me is give me an outlet for all the things I think about that many of the people around me have no interest in. Few members of my social group care very much about the coal plant. Or golf courses. Or the malting plant RR spur. These things come up in conversation and I hear something along the lines of The Citys corrupt, vote 'em all out and start over, this article on ice off walleye fishing is great, think we can get the boat on Francis yet.
And yes, as those who read here know, I will try to be on the boat. And I am quite knowledgeable about ice off walleye tactics, and midsummer, and fall walleye tactics. Jigging and cranks and spinner rigs. But there are other things I am interested in. And blogging gives a nice outlet for those things.

Tribune coverage, and contracts that are written with invisible ink.

2007-03-12T12:04:00.000-06:00

"and conservatives who think government should keep its nose out of the power plant business."
Now I'm a conservative. No one asked if I wanted to be a conservative, I'm not even sure what the criteria are. But I have been labeled, the Tribune said so, it must be true.

"At the same time, a federal agency may decide whether to fork over a loan for 75 percent of the plant's costs."
After stating yesterday, "The RUS is ready to fund this project," it now appears that perhaps we should wait for the RUS to actually state that as fact.

The coal plant needs water, and a lot of it. The city of Great Falls has a contract with SME to use some of its water rights from the Missouri River to provide raw water to operate Highwood Generating Station.
"That's a business deal that is done," Gregori said. "The contract stands whether or not the city of Great Falls is a member of SME."

In my inquisitive, anal, conservative way, I have tried to investigate this fact. First, I attempted to locate anywhere the City had actually admitted to having "Contracts with SME"

1. 3/5/07 ECPI board meeting.
Mr. Liebert asks "is there an actual written contract with SME?"
Ms. Balzarini replies "Yes, there is a Power Purchase Contract" No other information. (sidenote. How does the City think a contract to purchase power means anything? We know ECP is buying power from SME. When people are asking for documents relating to the Joint Venture, Management of ECP, Capital Investments etc. why do we keep being told Power Purchase Agreement? It means nothing except that we are purchasing power!)

2.We all know about Geeguy. Poor guy asks and asks, and get's nuthin.
3. I went to the City website. A search for "Water service contract with SME" I get this and this.
Of note in this/these documents-Page 37, Investment in Joint Venture. Financial statements for the joint venture may be obtained at 3521 Gabel Road, Suite 5, Billings Montana 59102. Or you might get a nice letter from SME's lawyer, saying "we don't wanna give 'em to ya".

Page 53. Long term Debt. City commission adopted res. 9534 authorizing 1,500,000 (count the zero's) for ECP. term of the note is 20 years. It is intended the debt will either be repaid at the time constructuon financing is acquired, or from operating funds of the electric utility, with a pledge from the General fund as backup security for the debt obligation.

Page 65. On March 15, 2005 the City Commission approved a Water Service Agreement....
(go to commission minutes, march 15 2005)

Of note in the Agreement:

"this agreement shall commence upon the date the MDNC issues its Order approving the transfer of water rights or sale of water by the City to Southern..."
Has the City applied to the MDNC for transfer of water rights or sale of water? If the City does not apply to the MDNC is this still a binding contract?

"Southern shall be entitled to credit against said monthly billing for Southerns difference in cost of power than paid therefore by the City as set forth in that certain Agreement dated the 22nd day of October 2004"
Which "certain agreement" is of course, the infamous Power Purchase Contract. Oh, wait, no it isn't. You see, there is the PPC, then there is a document dated Oct. 22nd, which I cannot find, that evidently clarifies this statement in the PPC. "Part of the deal will be to exchange low price energy for future consideration for water for HGS. We will work out the details later."

Well, my time to blog (lunch) is coming to an end. I do not believe I learned anything in my quest for contracts. Perhaps I will continue later on.

"Do you believe a majority of county residents support the plant?"
"Yes, if their questions are reasonably answered," Lawton said.

My god, I may agree with Lawton on something.

2007-03-08T12:58:00.000-07:00

I have spring fever so bad.
Dreaming of that first trip to a lake.
Any lake.
Reading fishing magazines just makes it worse.
Need a new fishing license.
Which store. hmm.

Maybe the river. Close, Quick.
Need firewood for that.

Ahh, spring. It's coming.

So, I’m going

2007-03-08T12:41:00.000-07:00

to pick on the people on the Tribune forums. If anyone comes over and has a problem with that, Please, defend what you said, this is an opportunity to share you opinions.

“The last issue is on the right to vote on this issue. There is NO right to vote on this issue. We are a nation that uses representatives, elected by the people to make decisions for us. This keeps us from becoming a nation of mob rule. Our elected representative follow the laws that determine when and how the people vote on issues. The present issue does not allow a vote. Which is a good thing.”

There was a right to vote on this issue. It was taken away, by the City. How in hell, with all the controversy going on, is that a good thing?

“It does not matter whether 80 or a million turned out to protest, the law is there to protect is from a mob. What happens if a mob were allowed to force a vote that affected your rights? This is why we have laws.”

Change the word mob to citizens.
How’s that for ya. Those people down there protesting are the people that care enough to do something. You may not approve, or agree, but those are the kind of people, doing the same things that started the free country you live in, that gave you the right to vote, and assemble, equal rights and civil rights and all those things you claim to support while you sit there in judgment of those that do not agree with you.

“There are people who have much at stake here...for some it is pride..for others control....I cant think of a single group that has more at stake than the poor.”

What in hell do the poor have to do with this? Is FedEx “the Poor?” General Mills, Meadowgold, the Refinery, Benefis, Do they need help paying their electric bills?

“Putting this to a vote is a childish soultion to a serious matter and a weak-kneed approach to Democracy. You're obviously a liberal.”

Voting is a childish solution? You just pissed off every American bone in my body. Go to some other country. Or just %*&# off. Please.

“We elect our commissioners to represent us. We need to give them our input and them let them make the decision. If you don't agree with their decison, then you can vote them out of office.”

And how will voting them out help the current situation? It will be too late to do anything.

“You make the same basic mistake that so many do: The city is a minority partner in the project. You grossly overstate the city's stake. Seventy-five percent of the plant is being put up by co-ops. Are you saying the co-ops are poorly managed and run by a bunch of bunglers?”

Are you saying that the City of Great Falls stake of 130 to 180 million dollars is chump change? I do not give a crap what kind of partner the city is. I want to know what they are doing with that kind of money, and who is going to be responsible for it IF something does not work out as planned. . am I saying the co-ops are poorly managed and run by a bunch of bunglers? No. Am I saying that the City of Great Falls is poorly managed and run by… well you get the picture.

Perhaps the environmental concerns are getting most of the attention, but people have the right to voice opinions. I happen to believe there are environmental concerns. I doubt they are significant enough to stop the plant. I can live with that.

However, regardless of that, there are, obviously, other concerns. One of the biggest concerns is still developing, and really, has nothing to do with the Coal Plant except as the basis for the question.

You'll note that most of the topics covered above are more significant for people's rights and governmental issues than for debate over a coal plant.

Is our democratic, representative, by the people for the people, form of government going to continue to refuse to disclose public information when the Public asks for it?

Why?

2007-03-07T08:52:00.000-07:00

When asked "Why was ECPI started?", Mrs. Balzarini replied, "To represent the City in SME"

On November 1, 2005, the City Commission adopted Ordinance 2925 which restructured Electric City Power as a non-profit organization. The Official Codes of the City Great Falls (OCCGF) 5.20.040 states that the City Commission shall approve the articles of incorporation and the bylaws by resolution. Resolutions 9529 and 9530 were submitted to the Commission.

The non-profit corporation would secure and provide reliable, long-term supplies of electricity to the City, its residents and electric consumers. The proposed ordinance identified and defined the duties and obligations conveyed to the non-profit Board as well as the duties and obligations retained by the City Commission. It included items such as the purpose, powers, rules of operation, and tax-exempt obligations of the non-profit corporation and its board.

"the City of Great Falls does hereby establish an electric utility to construct, operate and maintain electric facilities in, along, across, under, or over City property: and to market or otherwise provide electric services to consumers."

The non-profit corporation would operate for the primary purpose of securing and providing reliable, long-term supplies of electricity to the City, its residents and electric consumers.

5.20.050 Purpose of the Corporation.
The Corporation shall operate for the primary purpose of securing and providing reliable, long-term supplies of electricity to the City, its residents and electric consumers.

Pardon me for being a bit slow, but in all that jumble up there, NOT ONCE does it say "to represent the City in SME."

2007-03-05T12:03:00.000-07:00

First off, I am again going to thank Joe Briggs for his comments, not so much because it added something important to the discussion, but because it added to the discussion. It is also appreciated that Joe seems to have the unique (in politics) ability to admit he does not know something.
He also very politely hands off responsibility for additional answers to a member, any member of the City Commission who may happen to know the answers. However, I have come to the conclusion that the City must not have any answers.

Just like they don't have important documents, and instead of just telling you, you can't have them, they make you run in circles...oh wait, the City can't tell him we won't give them to you.

Free Thought notes that the answers to my questions are not really relevant to the existence of the plant, or the City's involvement in the plant. He is correct to an extent. However, I believe it is too late to worry about the City being involved, they are. Which means that we all are. It is too late to figure out why, but it would be nice to know how, and to what extent, we are involved. And the information the City had, when they got it, how they used it to justify involvement, and the expected benefits that can be deduced from that information are things that more than a few people are interested in.

Which brings me to jocko.
The first time I read his comment, I thought, what a bunch of bullshit. It kinda grated on me.
I cannot believe that someone can read that Q & A and say the questions were answered with frankness and honesty. Does that include the questions that were not answered? How is it honest to answer a question with a statement that is in no way relevant to the question? How is it honest to state that there are no suprises on the horizon, what was it, two days before you learn your price tag just shot up a couple hundred million? How can you look at the big picture here and accept that there is no risk? Isn't there a risk that it will cost more than expected, and your power won't be as cheap as you thought, and you already have signed contracts stating what you are going to sell it for, and those water credits aren't gonna bail you out forever.....

Two more things real quick.

After everything is said and done, would this power be cheaper than power that will be available on the open market in 2010?
"Over the life of the plant, absolutely," Lawton said.

What does he mean by "over the life of the plant"? When they fire up that big ass boiler, start pumping 3,200 gallons per minute out of our river, start shoveling that beautiful black coal and pumping all those EPA approved chemicals and gasses and particulate matters into Big Sky Country, obscuring the Highwoods with a gray film of soot, When Lewis & Clark start coughing in their graves, On that day, at that minute, will this power be cheaper?
(sorry, got a bit carried away there)

And didn't that one study that just came out, the one the City got to calm down the bond underwriter, didn't it just say we are now shooting for competitive prices?

OK, ok, I'll post something.

2007-03-01T12:08:00.000-07:00

Well, GeeGuy is all over the coal plant story. I wasn't going to blog about it, but hey, why not.

City officials said the cancellation (Northwestern contract) cost the city more than $1 million over five years.
And so far, the city, trying to see if they can build a coal plant, has cost$1 million for the water credit and $1.5million for a bunch of studies and stuff they don't even have access to.
Any of you businessmen out there willing to spend $23,000 for a briefing on a feasibility study that says it's ok to spend $130million? No, you don't get the study, but you'll be told what it says.

Lawton said he "absolutely" thinks the city is run well, but he said running a city is different from running a business.
Well, yeah, what else would he say.

In government, there can be extended discussion periods as officials try to discern what the public wants.
Or, you could let the public vote-that might help give you a clue what the public wants!

Are there any other cities you know of trying to buy into coal-burning power plants?
"They're all over the place," Lawton said.
Perhaps this is nitpicky of me, but they are not all over the place, in fact I don't believe there is a single one in this entire state.

( I wrote that yesterday. But, of course, I was right.)

I'm not going to go on, other wiser nutcases can disseminate the Q & (blow smoke up my) A.

I notice others are discussing some of the comments on the Trib Forum. I have been noticing for quite some time, one of the main things I have an issue with over there is the assumption from some of those folks that this power plant will make a difference to the average resident of Great Falls.

It will involve specialized labor. The number of construction jobs touted does not impress me. Joe Bob making minimum wage pouring concrete isn't going to get on up there. Oh, wait, Joe Bob doesn't make minimum wage, and he doesn't need a job.
There are 15 jobs posted on the Job service website since yesterday morning, with an average wage of over $9.00 per hour. Those 300 construction jobs will benefit our economy by the workers (maybe we can get some more Brazilian welders in here, really piss of the local unions! Again.) temporary stay here. Of the long term jobs, maybe 25% local employees. Max. So 15, 16 Joe Bob's get jobs.

It will not affect the price that average resident pays for power, unless the price of the default supply goes up as a result. Which, of course, will not happen. The City said so.

Will it lower our taxes? Schools, City Government, will be paying less so they will have more money, right? And every Great Falls resident who pays taxes should get a break on shipping FedEx. I mean, come on, what other benefit am I going to see?

I am a bit confused about something else. The tax thing. If the plant is not annexed into the City, as it seems will now be the case, will the City be able to collect any taxes? Will the plant sitting up there actually add to the City tax base, or will we be paying to supply municipal services to an entity that does not even bring tax revenue into the City?

The Tribune coverage on this does not impress me much. Follow up! They should do a part Two on the Q & A - Real answers to the questions!

To whom is Electric City Power planning on selling approximately 40 mW of power?

If Electric City Power ends up oweing SME money, isn't it true that the City of Great Falls would ultimately be responsible for repaying that debt?
If not, please explain.

Isn't it true that Tim Gregori, of SME, has stated there are risks involved in building a coal plant?

What are the risk scenarios that the City and SME have outlined, and the planned measures to reduce those risks?

Why did the City repeal Ordinance 2681?

Have the City and SME downplayed the possible risks to paint a rosy picture for the residents of the city?

Has the City enforced the 3 minute comment rule at any time for a discussion not pertaining to the coal plant?

"City officials acknowledge a key moment came in 2003, when NorthWestern Energy unilaterally canceled a power contract with cities and school districts across the state. "

Is it true that City officials and SME were discussing building a coal plant before the summer of 2003?

Etc.

Hi boys and girls!

2007-02-23T18:52:00.000-07:00

I haven't been around much. To much going on. I feel a bit guilty sometimes, but I manage to squash that down, and the feeling goes away. I have lots of ideas about things to write about the coal plant. Sadly, most of them require a level of research and writing that I have not been able to attain lately.
I do question how a group of cooperatives, that get together to form another cooperative, become a corporation that is not, apparently, interested in sharing information. The letter GeeGuy received, with it's use of words like compel and comply and I think there was a legally required in there, makes you wonder, why?
Is it really that hard to dig up a couple files, to calm down the people questioning what you are doing?
The City of Great Falls, on its website, directed you to contact SME for financial documents on the joint venture. That's what he did isn't it? And got stuffed, bam, nope not givin' em up. We aren't even going to tell you why, just no, we don't have to.
I noticed at the end of the letter from the City, it states that there are "other records". So they have lot's of stuff, to bad none of it is the important stuff. I see golf was in the news again.

And speaking of the City, I do believe I have been neglecting speaking of sign regulation. Who has noticed a real difference? Anyone? Helloooo......

Are there still sandwich boards on public property outside the BID? yes
Are there still signs advertising a business that has been closed for longer that 90 days? yes
Are there fewer temporary signs? possibly
Are there still signs over the height restriction? yes
Have we seen an economic change? ???
Have we seen a new Sign Inspector, who's salary is paid out of permit fees, hired? ???
Have we seen fewer sign related safety issues? ???

yeah, big difference. It's all the fault of casino's.

I wonder if the lights and camera's work over at the skatepark. Might be about time to revisit that little issue, it's going to be spring soon. I'll have to give that assignment to my squad of young sleuths.

2007-02-19T14:27:00.000-07:00

"The proposed action would have a negligible effect on children or persons living in poverty, as these population groups are not generally present at or near the Salem Site."

They think of everything.

Happy Valentines Day.

2007-02-14T16:12:00.000-07:00

I see GeeGuy has changed his colors in honor of the day. I can honestly tell you, I never considered that I would go over there and see Pink and Red! Wow.

Well, we got home awhile ago, and immediate panic ensued! My boy could not log onto the internet! Oh, the horror! Bereft of his internet! How will he survive!
So I got it figured out, and now I won't give him the computer.
Ha. I'm a mean Mom.

Oh, I just gotta link to this post.

Gotta joke in honor of the day.

Several men are in the locker room of a golf club. A cell phone on a bench rings and a man engages the hands free speaker function and begins to talk. Everyone else in the room stops to listen.
MAN: "Hello"
WOMAN: "Honey, it's me. Are you at the club?"
MAN: "Yes"
WOMAN: "I am at the mall now and found this beautiful leather coat. It's only $1,000. Is it OK if I buy it?"
MAN: "Sure, go ahead if you like it that much."
WOMAN: "I also stopped by the Mercedes dealership and saw the new 2007 models. I saw one I really liked."
MAN: "How much?"
WOMAN: "$90,000"
MAN: "OK, but for that price I want it with all the options."
WOMAN: "Great! Oh, and one more thing...the house I wanted last year is back on the market. They're asking $950,000"
MAN: "Well, then go ahead and give them an offer of $900,000. They will probably take it. If not, we can go the extra 50 thousand if it's really a good price."
WOMAN: "OK. I'll see you later! I love you so much!"
MAN: "Bye! I love you, too."
The man hangs up. The other men in the locker room are staring at him in astonishment, mouths agape.
He turns and asks: "Anyone know who this phone belongs to?"

I see

2007-02-11T12:49:00.000-07:00

there is a nice little article in the paper today about Bed and Breakfasts in Montana. Written by a Tribune staff writer. She does not mention any local B & B’s. Oh, wait, our business friendly city doesn’t have many left, do they. The article discusses the tendency to house B & B’s in historical home or buildings. I never had an opportunity to visit the Charlie Russell Manor, but I would have liked to.

I lived near the Collins Mansion for a while when I was younger, when it was just an old abandoned house sitting on the hill. It made me think about history, the people that built it, that lived there. I looked at the old carriage house when it was for sale. I watched both buildings rejuvenated, and had the opportunity to visit the Collins Mansion for an evening dinner once, walk across the old parquet flooring in the foyer, and tour the upstairs bedrooms. The front bedroom with the windows that give you a view of the city spread below, with the lights gleaming in the dusk, twinkling off the river.

There is also an article about the Montana Bar in Miles City. There seem to be a lot of Montana Bars around. Wonder if the one in Miles City would be interested in an old sign. All it needs is some cleaning and a few light bulbs. And since it does not seem to have an owner, it should be free!

2007-02-10T21:40:00.001-07:00

Frickin’ video games.
I am no good at them.
I spent damn near an hour playing Galaga and I can’t even get to 92,000.
I always get after my boy for getting mad at his games; he can have kinda a temper, and gets frustrated.
I tell him to calm down, it’s just a game.
So I’m sitting here, I crash and die despite my best efforts, and there may have been some minor cursing and such.
My son walks out (laughing) and tells me “Calm down Mom, It’s just a game!”
Little brat gets a higher score than me his first try.
Frickin’ video games.

FYI

2007-02-09T21:03:00.000-07:00

SME is owned by five rural cooperatives and Electric City Power, which is owned by the city of Great Falls. The rural cooperatives are based in Red Lodge, Lewistown, Hysham, Ashland and Huntley. They serve about 120,000 residential and industrial customers in 22 counties.
February, 2007
That's a lot of people. No worries, those 120,000 people all want this plant, Right?

Gregori admits that carbon emissions were not at the forefront of discussions four years ago when the project started, but as concern over global climate change heats up, so does the pressure to curb carbon emissions — a greenhouse gas which scientists believes contributes to global warming.
February, 2007

Er, carbon? Emissions? We didn't hear nothin' bout no emissions four years ago. What's global warming? Anybody?

Ms. Coleen Balzarini, the City of Great Falls Fiscal Services Director and the Executive Director of Electric City Power said on this very issue: During the last legislative session, the City did request a change in law to allow us to serve residential customers within the City limits. The legislature opted to not approve that request. The City is considering making a similar request this session, but has not made a final decision to do so, and has no guarantee that even if the request is made, that it will be granted.
December 2006
But, but....

The city of Great Falls also hopes to use its share of the power to serve its 50,000 residents through a nonprofit municipal power authority.
March, 2006

State law has no mercury emission standards for coal-fired power plants. But two other plants' owners have agreed to mercury standards, setting a potential precedent for state regulators.

Hedges said her group broke off the talks because Southern Montana would not agree to language essentially forcing it to work toward 90 percent removal of mercury in the coal-burning process. A new coal-fired plant at Hardin and a proposed plant near Roundup have agreed to similar standards, she said. "We said there's no agreement unless (Southern Montana) does what other facilities have been willing to do," Hedges said. Gregori said Southern Montana proposed a floor of 80 percent removal, along with a promise that the plant would install special technology that would increase the mercury removal to an undetermined point, possibly 90 percent.

"I hope that Southern Montana is being honest and does what they say they're going to do, but I don't want to tie (our) hands based on their promises," she said. "I'd rather have it in writing."
February, 2006
In writing. Yeah, that would be nice. SME must be tryin' to be environmentally friendly - by saving paper!

The rural electric co-ops making up SME are Beartooth, Fergus, Mid-Yellowstone, Tongue River and Yellowstone Valley electrical cooperatives. They serve 23,000 member-customers.
September, 2004
I thought they served 120,000 members? And if we add 23,000 + 50,000 (that's Gt Falls) we still only get 73,000 so where did 120,000 come from?

For three years now, the leaders of the co-ops and the city of Great Falls have been privately developing a partnership and deciding whether to build their own coal-fired power plant somewhere in central or Eastern Montana.

The power would be produced in Montana and sold at cost to Montanans, Gregori said.
June, 2004
But...

Yellowstone Valley General Manager Terry Holzer said the group is banding together to buy better power for its 100,000 customers.

Lawton was careful to say all Great Falls has agreed to so far is to pay $500 to join the cooperative and pay a fair share of exploring energy options.
October, 2003

So, I guess that means we are a member of SME. We don't need no stinkin' contract!
Oops, customers number changed again! Can't we get that dang number to stop doing that?

But don't worry now. These people know what they are talking about. We can trust them to do the right thing with out taxpayer dollars. They are our friends, our leaders, they do not need contracts and things of that nature. They are obviously smart, trustworthy, honest, loyal....

Note the dates on those articles. Then think about other things you have read about this. Are we being bamboozled?

How's it going.

2007-02-06T21:01:00.000-07:00

All kinds of things going on I want to write about, as usual.

Oh, for those of you with reading comprehension issues, or ADD or whatever, you might just want to go check on batting averages or something, this might be one of those posts.

Once again, I'm a year older. Discussing it with the sister tonight, we both decided we are just going to stop aging. Sounded good to me. Birthday's aren't much fun when you are the birthday planner, decorator, cake cooker etc. And then mine is stuck between Christmas and Valentines day. There's another overrated holiday. I like it when the chocolate goes on sale though. Any holiday the chocolate goes on sale is good.

On to flowers. I like flowers. I buy the bouquets at the store, I attempt to get them to grow in my flowerbeds, but don't spend a lot of money on something for me if it is just going to die! Depressing. I like the little tea roses, in the pots. As soon as they enter my house, they begin to droop, and within a couple weeks, they die. Gave up trying that years ago.

Oh, hey, anyone know what that is?

Duh, I know it's a car, ha ha.

I think it kinda looks like a car coming out of shell of a car.

$1,363,000.00

Type:Quad-Turbo W16
Displacement:7994 cc
Horsepower: 1002 bhp @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 922 lb-ft @ 5500 rpm
0-60 mph: 2.9 sec
Top Speed: 248.6 miles/h
Miles Per Gallon: N/A (Ya think?)
Redline: 8000 rpm

Fun.

More...

2007-01-31T10:59:00.000-07:00

Joint venture: an organization that results from a contractual arrangement and that is owned, operated or governed by two or more participants as a separate and specific activity subject to joint control in which the participants retain an ongoing financial intrest or responsibility.

That is right out of the City of Great Falls Notes to Financial Statements June 20, 2006. So, my interpretation of the City's statement is that a joint venture requires a contract of some sort. But apparently, they now do not feel that a joint venture needs a contract. Hmm.

Another thing I noted in the same document. "During the fiscal year 2004, the City entered into a joint venture with SME G&T..."

Now I could link to document after document here, documents stating that The City and SME are partners, ECP and SME are partners, some statements of which predate there even being an ECP, or an Ordinance allowing the city to operate an electric utility. I can show, with documents off the City website, that it has been stated that The City operated an electric utility as far back as Aug 2003, when in fact the ordinance to create it was not passed until October 2003. And then they had to do it again. Ordinance 2925 was adopted by the City Commission in November of 2005. That set it up as a non-profit, and apparently, took away our right to vote on spending money on HGS.
I can show, with documents off the City website, that the City has made statements referring to SME as a partner, or ECP as a member of SME, without any apparent documentation that a partnership exists. The SME website states the City/ECP is a member.

Is the City of Great Falls, through it's Municipal Utility, Electric City Power, a partner in a joint venture with SME G&T?

If we are to take Exibit A of Resolution 9537 to hold as an actual commitment to be a Joint Venture then how can we make the statement that we have not committed to annexing HGS? Exhibit A clearly states "5(e) an annexation agreement..."

Section 3 of that same document, Exhibit A, states "SME will permit the City as Co-owner of the Station to participate fully in the decision making process relating to the development of the Station..."
The financial statement from the city States "This Joint Venture does not meet the criteria for inclusion in the City's Finance Report since the City does not exercise administrative control."

What is administrative control?

Here is a little statement from our Fiscal Manager. April 2005.
"Electric City Power: Coleen Balzarini stated that Electric City Power was building its customer base with the goal to sell 65 mega watts of power. She added that the City requested the Public Service Commission transfer the license from the City to Electric City Power. They denied the request without prejudice and Staff was working on a re-submittal. Additionally, Staff was working on a pilot program for small customer supply. Mrs. Balzarini reported that the City was the first entity to apply the new statute providing for this so the PSC was treating it as a contested case. The goal for the City was to give consumers a choice."

Wait! Hold on! They want to give us a choice!
It's all good now, don't listen to him.

Mommy....

2007-01-31T09:56:00.000-07:00

Why is it that those little voices in the night are never saying Daddy...
Daddy's miss out on so much. Like cleaning up red jello, that is no longer tolerated in the child's little tummy.
at midnight.
and 2.
Mommy...I'm hungry. at 3.
And no, I don't believe for one minute that Dad is really sleeping.
He wasn't really sleeping when the babies needed feeding in the middle of the night, either.
Mommy...I had a bad dream...Mommy...I hear a noise...mommy

and furthermore...

2007-01-27T18:06:00.000-07:00

Concerning the Joint Venture agreement between SME and ECP- I found an outline (Basic Terms and Provisions of the Development Agreement between the City of Great Falls and Southern Montana Electric Generation & Transmission Cooperative) of what it would, could, should be.
Exhibit A of Resolution 9537 states that "ECP would own a 25% undivided ownership interest in the Highwood Generating Station, including all common facilities, transmission facilities and rights and other interests which are part of the Highwood Generating Station." This agreement will also address the parties’ ability to mortgage or encumber their respective ownership interest for financing purposes and to dispose of their ownership interests. (Sounds like something that needs to be set in stone before we start building and financing this project. Oops, to late.)
It also says,
"5. The City and SME agree to negotiate in good faith to develop mutually agreeable and definitive forms of all other agreements necessary in connection with the ownership and operation of the station, including:"

"5(c) A resource integration agreement under which SME will provide specified services for the City to support its ownership interest in the Station, and the parties will agree to make available to one another any surplus output to their respective ownership interest in the Station."

5(d) A raw water supply agreement under which the city will supply all non-culinary water necessary for Station operations, and will take all actions necessary, including obtaining any needed regulatory approvals to provide this water supply.
I haven’t heard, has this been discussed with the Army Corp of Engineers? Does it need to be?

Let’s go back to Resolution 9537 for a minute.

“WHEREAS, the City commission has previously adopted Ordinance 2925, which authorized and approved the creation of Electric City Power, Inc., a Montana nonprofit corporation, (the “Corporation”) in order to secure and provide reliable and economic supplies of power to the City of Great Falls (the “City”), its residents and other electric consumers served by the City."

I believe that stated, with absolutely no hedging, that ECP wishes to supply power to the RESIDENTS of the City. Let’s read a bit further, shall we.

"WHEREAS the Project is reasonably expected to provide firm and reliable supplies of electricity at stable cost-based rates for the benefit of the City, its residents and the electric consumers served by the City and the Corporation, and the City expects to derive other substantial benefits from the Station as described herein; and "

Here’s the “herein”

"(a) The continued growth, economic development and prosperity of the City and its residents requires the availability of secure, reliable and economical supplies of electricity at stable economical and cost-based rates for all residential, commercial, industrial and other electric consumers within the City; "

There is that RESIDENTS word again. Now, does that mean if they cannot sell to all the consumers, and that includes 56,000 RESIDENTS the City will NOT have growth, economic development and prosperity? I think it is pretty plain that the city has always intended to attempt to sell power to the residents of the City, and any claims to the contrary are in direct contradiction to the stated purpose and intent of Electric City Power Inc.

Now let’s skip down a bit.
Section 2, Development of the Project
"(b) the City Manager is further authorized and directed to engage in all discussions and negotiations with SME that are necessary or desirable in connection with the Highwood Generating Station and the Project, including the preparation of a development agreement between the City or the Corporation and SME (the “Development Agreement”). It is the intention that the Development Agreement shall be substantially consistent with the terms and provisions attached hereto as Exhibit A. Upon the completion of such negotiations, the City Manager shall present a substantially final form to the Development Agreement to the City Commission for final approval."

Resolution 9537 was passed by the City Commission on Dec 6 2005

In the minutes of the March 6 2006 ECP Minutes “The Board briefly discussed a draft of the Development Agreement between the City and SME. Executive Director Balzarini explained the purpose of and need for such an agreement and noted that City staff and The City’s bond counsel would be discussing the agreement with SME officials on March 13th. Balzarini briefly discussed the cogeneration facility before detailing for the board two upcoming meetings with SME:
The SME annual meeting in Billings on March 13th
The March project update meeting and Meeting of the SME Board of Directors on March 16-17, 2006.”

So, where is that Development Agreement? I want to know how much we are actually going to be spending, and have it in writing somewhere. We all know prices of things can change in a short period of time. Like in December of 2005, this coal plant only cost 300,000,000. (section 1.04) (holy crap. did you see what else that said right there? 1.03. "in place of the current default supply of electricity" did it really say that?)
Seems like that Agreement should be showing up at a Commission Meeting soon.

Concerning the missing Feasibility Study of November 4th, 2003.
I question that it even exists.
I would welcome any attempts to prove me wrong. In April of 2005 this document shows up to justify money requested from the City. There are several studies on there, but I see nothing that could be considered a feasibility study aimed at our specific, local, economic benefit.

Regarding the statement by our Mayor on the GreaterFalls Coal Plant post. I had a friend contact the Tribune. They have little knowledge of documents relating to the managerial or financial aspects of ECP. The extent of documentation they have been “given full access to” is promised access to the EIS and Engineering Reports that will be coming out “Soon” and anything else that would be considered public record, that anyone else can get. (Page 5, section 7.01)
I would guess we will all have access to those two documents, and many of us can write about them as competently as a newspaper reporter.

I also cruised over to the State site, and looked up Nonprofit Corporation Act, since that is what ECP states it is, a nonprofit corporation.

I will leave you with this, I have bolded pertinent parts:

(5) A corporation shall keep a copy of the following records at its principal office or a location from which the records may be recovered within 2 business days:
(a) its articles or restated articles of incorporation and all amendments to them currently in effect;
(b) its bylaws or restated bylaws and all amendments to them currently in effect;
(c) resolutions adopted by its board of directors relating to the characteristics, qualifications, rights, limitations, and obligations of members or any class or category of members;
(d) the minutes of all meetings of members and the records of all actions approved by the members for the past 3 years;
(e) the financial statements available to members for the past 3 years under 35-2-911;
(f) a list of the names and business or home addresses of its current directors and officers; and
(g) its most recent annual report delivered to the secretary of state under 35-2-904.

Our future...

2007-01-27T00:06:00.000-07:00

So I had a comment in my e-mail. Intelligent fellow, I think, I'm actually not quite sure if he was questioning my writing ability or his own intelligence....but anyhow, he said I should write as a mom so here goes.
Standard keepmyassoutoftrouble statement-no insult real or imagined intended for anyone as long as you have a certain level of morals and class. If you don't, consider yourself insulted.

So. What are we teaching our kids. Brittney Spears, Lindsey Lohan, Paris Hilton, Etc. What are these women thinking. So you make some money, your face is on the front page, that gives you the right to be a... What is the word? Who the hell goes out and conducts themselves in a manner that photographs of certain parts can be taken? Ohh, I'm a celebrity, how about I get plastered and get my picture on the Enquirer-Hey, look at me, I'm fucked up!! Good times.

My Mother always said If you are going to wear a dress, you will act like a lady. There was no wiggle room there.

My little girl is learning the same thing. You chose to wear the dress, you will learn how to behave. Makeup? on a 5 year old? Hell no. There will be no high heels, there will be no spaghetti straps, who the hell is that woman on my TV showing her bra to the viewing public. No belly buttons shown, no piercings, you live in my house you will follow my rules. Who are these people that put their kids in beauty pagents, dress them up to parade around in costumes that scream sex, don't they grow up fast enough?

Modesty. Where did it go?

What is going on in our country that some of the most well known people seem to get married and divorced on a whim. Yeah, shot a movie together, true love, divorce and marrige in less than a year. Sorry, That was infatuation the next one will last longer. Hey honey, he cheated on her with you, ya really think he won't cheat on you? Disposable relationships.

Damn. I do not have words to express my disgust for some of the things I see in our world. Sadly, many of them are invited into our living rooms. TV shows that talk about casual sex as if it is a part of everday life-oh, wait, it is! The morning after pill. Should it be legal? Don't go screw around, er, have unprotected sex, you won't need to worry about if you can get the damn pill!

And if any one feels this post is sexist, aimed at females conducting themselves poorly - it is. Guess what, that is the way it is. There is a difference. Women need to conduct themselves differently than men do. Been that way for forever. Deal.

Who do you want your daughter to be?

Questions.

2007-01-24T09:12:00.000-07:00

A friend asked yesterday why I didn’t write a piece questioning Dona’s presence, and absence, on these blogs. I thought about it and this is what I came up with. I am not trying to be confrontational, rude or disrespectful. These are honest concerns, and I do not believe I am the only one who wants answers. So, with all due respect:

Dona Stebbins, Mayor of Great Falls

The people on these sites are citizens of this city, and we supported you when you ran for political office. We cheered when you criticized the same things we did, you were a voice among us, with many of the same issues and concerns we had. We celebrated when you were elected, and looked forward to changes in this City.

On October 7th in a Greater Falls thread concerning Explore! The Big Sky, you stated “I do think the city has a responsibility to promote events like this, but the City’s responsibility to the taxpayers MUST take precedence. Let’s hope everyone learned to PAY ATTENTION!”

On October 31st I said “I have no impact on the outcome of this election except my single vote on election day.”
On November 2nd you replied “That single vote has great power! Put enough of them together, and change happens. It is my belief that our elected officials have forgotten where the true power lies. It is not really theirs - it belongs to all of us, and only theirs on loan. Government derives its’ power from the consent of the governed.”

On November 14th, after winning the election you stated “My allegiance is to the people of Great Falls.” You went on to say “To those who supported my candidacy, thank you all. I will do my best to represent you fairly. You know that I will listen and answer your questions.”

These are things you said, and I agree with wholeheartedly. But there have been issues brought up, and questions that need answers. Not so much about the coal plant, but about the City’s involvement, financial responsibility and managerial abilities in the electrical utility. We just want to know what our City is doing, and who will be left with the debt if, somehow, this is not as beautiful and perfect as we are being told.

Who is listening now. GeeGuy has been relentless in his search for answers. He has questioned on his blog, written to the Tribune, written to Colleen Balzarini. Where are the answers?

“The City’s responsibility to the taxpayers MUST take precedence. Let’s hope everyone learned to PAY ATTENTION!”

We have.

Coal Plant vs Electric City Power

2007-01-23T11:49:00.000-07:00

So there is a lot going on with these issues.
There are the environmental pro's and con's, we have treehuggers demanding that we not pollute our air and water with emissions from a coal plant. We have industry experts, this is safe, it will not harm you!

We have warnings about eating to many locally caught fish because of existing high mercury levels in our water, and bald eagles testing positive for mercury posioning.

We have dire predictions about our source of power in the next few years.

We have a fantastic outlook for jobs building the plant, and dire predictons that they will not be filled by local workers.

We have a place to build the plant, with an alleged adequate water supply, out of town, ready to go. Except for the lawsuits over land use and zoning changes.

We have a group of people with experience owning and operating power supply and generation facilities. 5 electrical Co-op's who formed SME. Shortly after, the City of Great Falls joined. These are a couple of things I noticed on the SME website. All emphasis is mine.

"These providers of public power and related services have embarked on a course of action to ensure that their members/consumers – approximately 120,000 Montanans – will have a locally-owned and controlled supply of electric energy."
So they are including the citizens of Great Falls, as members/consumers. But we do not have a right to vote on spending the money to build it.

"The five member cooperatives serve approximately 65,000 Montanans, and the City of Great Falls has a population of 57,000."
That's where they get the 120,000. Us and them. But our City leaders are not sure, at this time, if they are going to sell to us little citizens. If they even can.

"Southern Montana Electric G&T’s HGS will meet wholesale energy needs of the five member cooperatives and the City of Great Falls. HGS will use Montana coal and Montana limestone to generate approximately 250 MW of power that will be earmarked to meet electrical energy needs of approximately 120,000 Montana energy consumers at “cost-based” rates. HGS will be wholly owned by Montana energy consumers."
Again, we have 120,000 consumers who will own this plant we do not get to vote on. And lets look at that closely. At 25% owner, the City will get 25% of the power, right? We have almost half of the people used to justify this project, why only 25%? 25% of the power is 62.5 mW. Right now, the City has contracts to sell 16-20 mW. What we gonna do with all that extra power when we ain't selling it to the 57,000 energy consumers who paid to build the plant. (That would be every Tom, Dick and Harry who pays taxes in the City I believe. Maybe a Paul and couple Joes too. And don't forget Jane.) Do we get dividend checks when the City sells that power to someone else? It's member owned, right?

"Southern Montana Electric G&T will work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Utility Services (RUS) for any project financial needs. "
Now, here is one of my problems. This is misleading. ECP is a member of SMEG&T. Right? However, ECP is not getting any money from RUS. The 5 co-ops are getting money from RUS. But we are a member of SME. But we cannot get RUS money because ECP is not a Co-op. So how are we a member of SME when we are removed at will so they can get money ECP has to go to the City for? RUS will not finance the 25% that ECP is funding. The City has, in fact, paid for parts of the studies that will allow SME, but not ECP to get money from RUS. But isn't ECP part of SME?

"The EIS is funded by Southern Montana Electric G&T, and administered by RUS, and will evaluate the environmental impact of the proposed project."
Here we go again. Funded by SME and their dirty little stepson, ECP. Because ECP is a member when we have 57,000 people who need power, but not when we go ask the govt. for $$$

Well, that's enough for now. My head is spinning from all the acronyms, and I think I'd best stop before this gets too long. Believe it or not, this is only the tip of the things I can think of to write about. There is the EIS statement. Water Rights. Did you know right now Fort Peck is within inches of being at it's lowest level ever, and the gambling boats on the lower Missouri are terrified we might stop letting out water, because they cannot allow gambling when they are anchored. They must be in the channel, and they need water for that. And do you know how many endangered species of fish, or species of concern are listed in the draft EIS for the area below Morony? Know how many your fishing regs identify? Know how much coal cars cost, and how long it takes to get them? Know how much the cost of construction materials has gone up in the last year, and may in the next year? Is Electric City Power actually a corporation since they were involantarily dissolved? Why are they still holding meetings? And spending money? Why can I not find how much money they have actually spent so far? Don't they keep books? Credit, debit, how hard is that? Where do I find how much money the 5 Co-op's have spent?? Where are the Articles of Incorporation for ECP? (Are they filed right beside that acct ledger?) Where is some kind of agreement between SME and ECP saying We spend This, We own This. Are these not standard questions for a project of this magnitude?
What is our City thinking?

Power

2007-01-17T20:24:00.000-07:00

Well, I've been reading things again. Was over on the City website, nosing about, (Dec minutes of ECP are up) read the SME report again. You know what gets me about that report? No? Hmm.

Had to go read up on the Tribune coverage and comments and all. I might have to start commenting more over there. Sometimes I like to argue with people. Well, not really argue, more like debate. However, after David and I's short lived takeover of their little blog, I don't know, ...

Ok, fine, I'll tell ya what gets me about that report. Electric City Power, ie the City of Great Falls, is inserted and removed as a factor at will. Sometimes our participation, our presence in the overall, is important, but sometimes we are not a consideration.

SME is separate from ECP when it comes down to it. I think I have more faith in SME than I do in ECP to be honest. But neither one really does me much good. EIS says all good. Hmm, do I trust them?

We (the population) are used a justification for parts of it, but there is no reason, right now, to believe that the citizens of Great Falls will be able to purchase power from ECP. ECP sells, right now, 16-20 mW. But they will be responsible for three times that. So what is the City going to do with their additional power? They can't sell it to the 54,000 residents of Great Falls. Ohh, wait, or will they try?

Well, they aint sure yet.

And I am unsure of a lot of things.

Ohh, look

2007-01-13T16:41:00.001-07:00

River pictures!

& I think these guys forgot something when they left.

Mom, can we please get some Flome for me?

2007-01-13T11:47:00.000-07:00

Flome is a potentially dangerous product, with characteristics similar to PlayDough, another potentially dangerous product. However, they are only dangerous if actually purchased and brought into the home, where the containers can be opened and the product released into the environment, creating scattered pockets of hard colored material, which, when ingested by the stupid dog, return to a more moist state, and may cause alarm when viewed upon egress from said dog, who never learns not to eat stuff like that, it upsets the tummy.

This would not need to be addressed, except that the Saturday Morning Cartoon shows repetitively air commercials aimed at the consumer set that comes running out saying things like “Mom, can we please get some Flome for me?” Creating a society that believes you need things like Flome to be happy, when generations of children have been perfectly satisfied playing with mud pies instead.

And what is it with makeup for little girls? Do we really need to start promoting girls wearing makup by putting a 5 year olds favorite characters on it? And the Bratz dolls. They are little hussies! I don’t want my girl thinking showing her bellybutton and wearing makeup make her cool. And I pray “Bling” is never part of her vocabulary. I can only imagine the scene if she walked out wearing hip huggers and halter tops. Her Dad would explode.

But. Companies have a right to sell a product to those who will buy it. TV stations have a right to air any commercial that is paid for and allowed by those one people who regulate things. Because we need regulation, to make sure people don’t swear on TV, go ahead and show commercials for Viagra, Cialis, Trojan, Summers Eve, Kotex, frickin’ herpes medicine! etc. “Mom, what’s a douche?” “Why is that ribbed for her pleasure?” “What’s an erection, and why do you need to call the doctor if it lasts for more than four hours?”
“How many Trojans does it take for one Viagra?”

And why do people think you are obligated to answer the damn phone? Yes, I have call waiting on my cell. No, I do not answer it, unless it is my son. Often I don’t even look to see who it is. Because I am already talking to someone! (Ok, sometimes I do, just to get off of it with the first person.)
People call just to chat, when they know you are busy.

“whatcha doin’?”
Working
“I’m getting gas, and I was bored, so I thought I would call you”
your not supposed to talk on the phone while your pumping gas
“Did you hear what (insert name and meaningless action here) did?”
you know, static electricity can cause sparks to ignite gas vapors, and that cell phone won’t do much good when the gas goes poof
“and I just wanted to tell you about…”
and you ignite like a marshmallow in the campfire
“and she said she liked my hair better before”
and run screaming around the parking lot clutching your melting cell phone
“can you believe she was wearing white shoes with that dress,”
and end up in the trauma unit getting skin from your butt grafted on to your face
“Well, I’ve gotta go, it was good talking to ya!”
Yeah.

2007-01-13T09:17:00.000-07:00

I have so many subjects percolating in my little brain, and little time or opportunity to get them out. Here is a start.

I started reading bills in the Legislature the other day. It started out simply enough, I just wanted to see what the fuss was about with this. Then I find all sorts of things. Like this. And this. (actually, this one kinda surprised me-I thought it was already a law.) Oh, this one is gonna press some people's hot button! And of course, I'm all for this one.

I've got my little peepers on a few more, expect to be updated as the session progresses.

2007-01-07T12:45:00.000-07:00

Fifty-one years ago, Herman James, a North Carolina mountain man, was drafted by the U.S. Army.

On his first day in basic training, the Army issued him a comb.
That afternoon, the Army barber sheared off all his hair.

On his second day, the Army issued Herman a toothbrush.
That afternoon, the Army dentist yanked seven of his teeth.

On the third day, the Army issued him an athletic supporter.

The Army has been looking for Herman for 51 years.

Very little time....

2007-01-05T19:15:00.000-07:00

to blog lately. Christmas was good, the New Year is starting out well. A new direction in my life, which I am really liking so far. Hopefully, I can do it well, and continue with it down the road. Maybe my alleged attitude problem won't be an issue, I dunno, the boss can be a real hardass, but I'm optimistic he will put up with it...
Rather vague, I know, but y'all will have to deal with that, because there is nothing you can do about it! Ha ha!

But one thing about this new direction-I have to dress nice. And I am not the girliest girl out there by any means, and have been told by many I am not very good at coordinating, and accessorizing and color coding and such like. And have I mentioned I hate shopping for clothes? And shoes. Oh, the horror. And now I have to!

My girl loves clothes and shoes. I think they switched her in the hospital. And, she is kinda a smartass, NOTHING like me, yeah, they switched her.

Anywhoo, Santa, that coolest old rotund guy, brought me Guns N Roses Greatest Hits which includes a remake of... drum roll...Sympathy for the Devil! As loud as my crappy little computer room stereo will play it right now. Absolutely awesome CD, but it is G' N' R so that is to be expected.

Well, I'm off to read others more exciting than I, so see ya around.

That's a lot of water.

2007-01-03T19:16:00.000-07:00

Pulled from the river:
2,500 gallons per minute
150,000 gallons per hour
1,200,000 gallons in 8 hours
3,600,000 gallons in 24 hours

Returned to the river:
180 gallons per minute
10,800 gallons per hour
66,400 in 8 hours
259,200 in 24 hours

total water permanently removed from the river system
2,320 gallons per minute
139,200 gallons per hour
1,113,600 gallons in 8 hours
3,340,800 gallons in 24 hours

And a couple quotes from the Tribune outdoors section.

It's easy enough to take the Missouri River for granted. Anything so close at hand and so accessible — so "there" all the time — might fade from the forefront of our thoughts as we race through our busy days, even where the pace is, well, like the pace here in Great Falls.
It just takes a day on the river though, or a conversation with someone intimately familiar with the river to remind us what a treasure the river really is.

To our benefit, others are realizing that the Missouri constitutes a special resource for us: PPL Montana continues to reimburse those of us who live around the Missouri for the impacts of its seven dams on the Missouri and its two hydro facilities on the Madison. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission requires that.

And, it is ours all the way from its headwaters in the Centennial Mountains of southwestern Montana through the Beaverhead, Big Hole, Gallatin, Jefferson and Madison rivers to the North Dakota border and its union with the Yellowstone.

I see the Tribune has a story up on some of the things that happened locally in 2006.

2007-01-01T15:15:00.000-07:00

Fastest public career changer
Justice of the Peace Sam Harris appeared to be firmly ensconced in his position as a Cascade County judge.
Then the public learned Harris had been making injudicial remarks about various groups — even about people for whom he performed marriage ceremonies — on an Internet chat room for years.
The Electric City Weblog raised the issue on its Web site, and the Tribune broke the news story. Harris eventually resigned, effective the end of 2006.

Interesting.
I seem to remember it a little different.

I remember a few people none of whom were newspaper reporters, doing a fair amount of work, researching and writing an informative series of articles, spread out over a week of posts. I remember digging through old newspaper articles, sifting through internet chat rooms full of disagreeable, and at times insulting, comments. I remember questioning what we were doing, if it was worth the possible repercussions and negative response from the public.

I remember GeeGuy working very hard to put the information in context, so it was seen as more than just words and comments, but as the character of the man.

I remember putting up the Gore posts simultaneously, on a Friday evening, fielding questions and comments all weekend, and on Monday morning learning all the Gore comments had been removed. And then, hours later, the Tribune reporter contacting us for information, because they needed proof to write their story. The Tribune continuing to insist they needed to publish our names to lend credibility to their story after Harris had confirmed he made the Gore comments.

But A History Lesson only raised the issues.
The Tribune broke the story.

Hey!

2006-12-31T21:24:00.001-07:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

"You've never been a potted plant, Milo,"

2006-12-27T08:50:00.000-07:00

I've been having writers block. Or something.
Perhaps nothing has been going on that intrests me much. I was going to write more on the sign code, but find I just don't have it in me today.
Had a few jokes I was gong to post, but they weren't really that good. Have no babysitter 'till later, so I can't go to work.

Well. Just tried to switch to the new blogger. It says it worked, but I don't agree. I cannot get to anywhere I can post anything. I am going to go mess with it some more. Any tips or info would be helpful.

Oh, bonus points for identifying that quote up there.

154 things because I haven’t traveled out of the US and a couple others were kinda stupid.

2006-12-25T11:57:00.000-07:00

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink--damn right I have. Luckily, there weren’t many folks in there.
02. Climbed a mountain--many of them
03. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive-- never, although I want to.
04. Been inside the Great Pyramid-- no, but I want to.
05. Held a tarantula.—Oh hell no.
06. Taken a candlelit bath with someone--Nope.
07. Said ˜I love you" and meant it--- yes.
08. Hugged a tree—Possibly, for support, but not because I had feelings for the tree
09. Done a striptease-- Heh. Possibly.
10. Bungee jumped--Nope, and I don't want to.
11. Watched a lightning storm at sea—Nope, and I don’t wanna
12. Stayed up all night long, and watch the sun rise—Oh, yeah, many times.
13. Seen the Northern Lights-- Yep.
14. Gone to a huge sports game—No.
15. Grown and eaten my own vegetables--Yes. Plenty of them.
16. Slept under the stars-- Too many times to remember.
17. Changed a baby's diaper-- Yes. Didn't like doing it, but I did it.
18. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon--No.
19. Watched a meteor shower-- WOW! Several times.
20. Gotten drunk on champagne-- Yes.
21. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope--Yes.
22. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment--No. Not really a giggler.
23. Had a food fight—No, unless whipped cream counts as food.
24. Bet on a winning horse--Yes.
25. Taken a sick day when you're not ill-- I plead the 5th.
26. Asked out a stranger—Not that I can remember
27. Had a snowball fight-- Of course.
28. Photocopied your bottom on the office photocopier—No
29. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can--Yeah.
30. Held a lamb-- yes.
31. Taken a midnight skinny dip-- Once.
32. Taken an ice cold bath--Yeah, see #37.
33. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar-- Yeah.
34. Seen a total eclipse-- Yeah.
35. Rode on a roller coaster—NO!
36. Hit a home run--Yes.
37. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking? Yeah
38. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors—Sorta-what is considered an ancestor?
39. Visited all 50 states--Nope.
40. Loved your job for all accounts—Working on that.
41. Taken care of someone who was shit faced-- Yes.
42. Had enough money to be truly satisfied-- Yes.
43. Stolen a sign-- I plead the 5th.
44. Taken a road-trip-- Yeah. MANY of them.
45. Rock climbing--Yep.
46. Lied to foreign government's official in that country to avoid notice—Nope
47. Midnight walk on the beach—Depends on what constitutes “Beach”
48. Sky diving-- No, and I never will jump out of a perfectly good airplane.
49. Been heartbroken longer then you were actually in love--Nope.
50. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them--Yes.
51. Bench pressed your own weight-- Nope.
52. Milked a cow--Yeah.
53. Alphabetized your CD’s—No.
54. Pretended to be a superhero-- Yeah, with my kid.
55. Sung karaoke—Sorta.
56. Lounged around in bed all day—Not all day. But a good part of a day.
57. Posed nude in front of strangers-- Nope.
58. Scuba diving--No. But I want to.
59. Got it on to Let's Get It On" by Marvin Gaye--No.
60. Kissed in the rain--Of course.
61. Played in the mud--Damn Right.
62. Played in the rain--Damn Right.
63. Gone to a drive-in theater--Yeah.
64. Done something you should regret, but don't regret it.--Yep.
65. Discovered that someone who's not supposed to known about your blog has discovered your blog--Yep.
66. Started a business--Yes?
67. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken--No.
68. Toured ancient sites--Kinda.
69. Taken a martial arts class--No.
70. Swordfought for the honor of a woman--No.
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight--No.
72. Gotten married.
73. Crashed a party-- Who? Me?
74. Loved someone you shouldn't have-- Nope.
75. Kissed someone so passionately it made them dizzy--I think so.
76. Gotten divorced--No
77. Had sex at the office--Never.
78. Gone without food for 5 days--No. Don’t plan on it either.
79. Made cookies from scratch--Yep.
80. Won first prize in a costume contest--No.
81. Gotten a tattoo--No.
82. Found that the texture of some materials can turn you on—Yes.
83. Rafted the Snake River—No and I don’t plan on it. Now fishing the Snake can happen.
84. Been on television news programs as an "expert"—Sorta.
85. Got flowers for no reason-- No, but I have sent flowers for no reason.
86. Got so drunk you don't remember anything--I don't remember doing that.
87. Been addicted to some form of illegal drug--nope
88. Performed on stage---Hell no.
89. Recorded music-- Nope
90. Eaten shark--Yes.
91. Had a one-night stand---BWHAHAHAHA!!! No. Never.
92. Seen Siouxsie live--Never heard of whoever that it.
93. Bought a house—Just one.
94. Been in a combat zone—No.
95. Buried one/both of your parents-- No.
96. Been on a cruise ship--No, not yet.
97. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone--Yes.
98. Bounced a check--I may have, but it was the banks fault. Really.
99. Read - and understood - your credit report—Yeah, that’s a good time.
100. Raised children-- Well, I’m trying.
101. Created and named your own constellation of stars--That's just ridiculous.
102. Found out something significant that your ancestors did--Yes.
103. Called or written your Congress person--Yes.
104. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over--Yep
104. ...more than once? - More than thrice?—Just twice.
105. Sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew someone was looking--Hell, yes!
106. Had an abortion or your female partner did—Hell no.
107. Had plastic surgery--No
108. Survived an accident that you shouldn't have survived—Ah, sorta!
109. Wrote articles for a large publication—No
110. Lost over 100 pounds--Hell, no.
111. Held someone while they were having a flashback—Not exactly.
112. Piloted an airplane--No.
113. Broken someone's heart-- Yes.
114. Helped an animal give birth--Yes.
115. Been fired or laid off from a job---Nope.
116. Won money on a T.V. game show--No.
117. Broken a bone-- Yes
118. Rode on a motorcycle--Yes.
119. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph—Pretty likely.
120. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced-- Only by surgeons.
121. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol-- BWHAHAHA!!! Of course not.
122. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild--- Yes.
123. Rode a horse—Many times.
124. Had major surgery--- Is two C sections "major?"
125. Had sex on a moving train-- Not yet.
126. Had a snake as a pet—No.
127. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours--I don't remember. I was asleep.
128. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days--No.
129. Eaten kangaroo meat--Not yet.
130. Eaten sushi-- No.
131. Had your picture in the newspaper--- Yes, a few times.
132. Had 2 (or more) healthy romantic relationships for over a year in your lifetime—No.
133. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about--Yes.
134. Gotten someone fired for their actions---Yes.
135. Gone back to school--No.
136. Parasailed--No
137. Changed your name-- Does being "firefly" count?
138. Petted a cockroach--FUCK NO!!!
139. Eaten fried green tomatoes—No, and I don’t want to.
140. Read The Iliad-- Yes. and The Odyssey, too.
141. Selected one "important" author who you missed in school, and read--No. Didn’t miss one.
142. Dined in a restaurant and stolen silverware, plates, cups because your apartment needed them--No.
143. ...and got 86'ed from the restaurant because you did it so many times, they figured out it was you--No.
144. Taught yourself an art from scratch—depends on what is considered “an art”.
145. Killed and prepared an animal for eating--Yes.
146. Skipped all your school reunions--Yes. And I'll probably skip the rest of them.
147. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language--Yes.
148. Been elected to public office--No.
149. Written your own computer language-- HELL NO!
150. Built your own PC from parts--No.
151. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you--No. Well, maybe sorta.
152: Dyed your hair--Yes.
153: Been a DJ--No
154: Been arrested---I plead the 5th.

ECP

2006-12-22T09:31:00.000-07:00

Our electric utility.
Rooting around in the City's websites I have noticed a few things.
Electric City Power has it's own site. But no real information is posted on it. I have yet to find one link that directs you to anything. The minutes of the meetings are up, but they are very bare bones, telling you what was discussed, but giving no actual information of any of the issues.

From a March 6th meeting "The Board reviewed the December 2005 Financials from SME." I would be interested in seeing these. There is no link, no other information at all. Where do I find them?

From the same meeting: "The Board briefly discussed a draft of a Development Agreement between the City and SME. Executive Director Balzarini explained the purpose of and need for such an agreement. She noted that City staff and the City's bond counsel would be discussing the Agreement with SME officials on March 13th."
O.K. March 13th, 2006. City staff and bond counsel were going to discuss a development agreement for a project that is supposed to start next spring, and which the City has just now (December) decided we need a new feasibility study for.

Public comments from residents are there, but there seems to be little reply to concerns raised.
"Stuart Lewin asked the Board questions about the City’s plans to supply electricity to residents of Great Falls and about its role in the proposed Highwood Generating Station." So, what did the board say? How did they respond to this very important question?

Perhaps I am nitpicking about little things. However a few answers would go along way.

Ha!

2006-12-20T18:47:00.000-07:00

Every time I log in they ask if I want to sign up for the beta Blogger- except tonight, it says they are out!

On my stroll home tonight, I watched the cars in rush hour traffic-It took about 5 minutes longer to walk than it does to drive the same distance. (But my ears really noticed the temp difference over the bridge!)

My sisters and I have, for years, told each other what we want for Christmas. This year, we are taking that a step further - we are going shopping together for our Christmas gifts!

(My dog likes plain saltine crackers. She is strange.)

Well, I am going to go work on another post, which will, hopefully, have correct references to relevant parts and which will be tempered by the thoughtful words of those more cognizant of literary and legal propriety than I.

Collected a bit.

2006-12-16T15:45:00.000-07:00

Under the First Amendment, courts are most concerned when sign regulations seek to restrict or regulate content of signs. Content based codes are subject to the strictest judicial scrutiny and will be upheld only if a court finds that the regulation is justified by a compelling governmental interest/and is narrowly tailored to achieve that interest. This could become an issue when content determines definition of a sign, as in commercial vs noncommercial signage.

We have a content based code.

Example: Signs advertising a product, service or business that are carried worn or otherwise supported by a person are prohibited. However, "ideological" signs, defined by the City as “anti abortion signs, peace signs, anything guaranteed as freedom of speech by the U.S. Constitution” appear to be exempt from this prohibition as long as they meet the size requirements. This creates a content based restriction that implies that "ideological" signs do not create the same safety risks as sale or car wash signs.
The city’s answer to the question “What is the definition of an ideological sign” also bothers me. “Anything guaranteed as freedom of speech by the U.S. Constitution”.

But a local governments sign code must comply with the 1st Amendments guarantee of freedom of expression, because every sign, including a business sign that does nothing more than identify a business or advertise a product is a constitutionally protected form of expression.

Another provision requires that similarly situated individuals receive equal treatment and protection of the law. As applied to sign codes this mean that if the business activity is legal the code must be equally applied to everyone.

Therefore, it is discriminatory to require a permit for one type of sign and not for another based on content.
This would come into play when anyone can put up a construction or real estate sign (or perhaps a daycare?) with no permit or inspection and a different type of business owner cannot put up the same size and type of sign at his business without getting it permitted and inspected, and installed by a licensed sign contractor.

Also exempt from permit are “Flags, emblems, crests, or insignia of any nation, political subdivision, corporation or any other entity or business”. Again, the content of the sign changes how the Code regulates the sign. Specifically, how the City defines and permits the sign. Is this equal treatment?

Abandoned signs. It states that if a sign no longer advertises a business it has to come down. This was part of the old code. It does not seem to apply to certain persons or businesses. Once again, lets give everyone equal treatment. If you force someone to take their sign down you need to make sure you force everyone in the same situation to take their sign down.
And now the City is amending part of the section that addresses the Cities right to remove an unpermitted sign. They can’t even enforce their own abandoned sign requirements, and they are talking about how they are going to take signs that advertise for legitimate businesses? This is what they felt was important after a year and a half?

Nonconforming signs: Copy changes are what I would like to address here. July 2002 a District Court judge ruled “The triggering of conformity upon altering the message or content of the sign is unconstitutional". He went on to say “a prior restraint exists when speech is conditioned upon the prior approval of public officials. Requiring official permission to change a sign’s message is suggestive of authority to sanction the message itself.” (page 10, see link below) On a legal, nonconforming sign, why can our city require an inspection/permit for changing just the copy?

Another consideration is how the code relates to its Intents and Purpose section. When the code requires things that in no way affect the stated purpose of the code, it leaves itself open to legal challenge. Safety and Liability issues should be a part of the intents and purposes. Simple wording changes would fix that.

In our Code it states: Any person engaged in the installation or repair of electrical signs, including neon, must have an individual sign electrician/journeyman certificate, or be licensed as an electrician by the State.
In our Code it states: A person or firm engaged in the business of fabricating, installing, altering, maintaining, or repairing and or modification of electrical wires, apparatus, raceways or any other portion of electrical sign must adhere to the following requirement: Sign contractor Class A-Must show evidence that at least one member of the corporation or firm holds a current sign electrician certificate.
So others can do the work on electrical signs but only one person must have the license. This is not fair. It is also contradictory of the preceding statement. The person doing the work needs to have the license, or we need an actual apprentice – journeyman system as in other states, governing this as a trade. If you are going to require a license you need specific criteria governing acquisition of that license. The code states you must have proof of 2 years experience, but does not state what kind of experience. The sign code guy, whoever he is, gets to decide if you have the proper experience I guess.

If a person of reasonable intelligence, which I consider myself, cannot know with adequate precision what a sign ordinance mandates or prohibits it is considered impermissible vagueness. The absence of clear standards in the code guiding the discretion of public officials, leaving the interpretation of the code open to ambiguous or subjective reasoning is considered impermissible vagueness.

I wrote most of this post about a year and a half ago. Here is a link to court cases etc. since I suspect someone will want them. I have made minor changes to this post it today, but I am curious, what do you think. Could there be other issues that could possibly be addressed besides the ones Ordinance 2957 addresses?
I know for a fact that most of these issues I mentioned have been questioned since the new code took effect.
How will these issues under review "further benefit the public"?

Up next I will discuss permit fees, inspections, and where your money goes. Wait, no one knows!

Ordinance 2957 to Revise Sign Code.

2006-12-16T14:03:00.000-07:00

right here.

SYNOPSIS: The ordinance would amend Chapter 60 of the Land Development Code which governs signs in the City of Great Falls. The current sign code has been in effect since May 2005. The proposed revisions are primarily to address minor housecleaning items, to provide additional clarification, and to add a provision to address signage if a premise is subsequently subdivided.

BACKGROUND: A rather extensive and time consuming review and development process was conducted by an appointed sign committee to prepare the current sign code, which became effective on May 5 2005.

With over one and one-half years of working experience with the new code, City staff has identified a few items and issues that warrant further consideration and or clarification.
Briefly, the proposed changes include:

1. Signs for home occupations, family day cares, adult group homes and other approved home uses would not require sign permits, provided size and location standards are met.

2. All references to specific dollar amounts for fees, costs, etc. were deleted and instead payments of fees and costs would be as set by the city Commission.

3. To be consistent with the narrative description of the code, exhibit 60-6 was revised to note that one free-standing pole sign would be allowed per premise frontage for premises exceeding 50,000 square feet in area.

4. Reference was made to the appropriate section of the code that addresses signs for home occupations, family day cares and the like.

5. Clarification was provided that on-premise signs are authorized for approved commercial uses in residential zoning districts, neighborhood commercial zoning districts, and central business periphery zoning districts.

6. A new provision was added to address signage if a premise is subsequently subdivided. Specifically, the provision states, “If a premise is subsequently subdivided after a freestanding sign allocation has been established for the premise, the subsequently created parcels shall share the freestanding sign allocation; shall share the same freestanding sign pole or monument; and, the owner/subdivider is responsible for allocating the signage amongst the separately created parcels at the time of each sale or lease.”

7. If a sign permit is revoked and the sign is not removed, the City may remove the sign and the sign owner may then reclaim the sign within ten working days. After that time, the sign may be destroyed. The requirement that the owner pay a $50.00 fee to reclaim the sign was removed.

It is offered that the proposed amendments will further benefit the public and will assist staff to more clearly enforce the revised sections and to provide an additional signage provision to address subsequently subdivided premises.

All emphasis is mine.

Well. This was approved at first reading, and will be approved by the City Commission on the 19th. It is nice to see that Randy Gray was right, the City will be willing to revise the code if needed. And oh, boy, they really zeroed in on the problem parts didn't they! Note the bold italicised parts. They will be addressed.

Now let me collect my thoughts.

2006-12-16T09:55:00.000-07:00

Wow! That's Impressive.

Quick update for y'all

2006-12-12T19:08:00.000-07:00

I originally had the idea for the In my Kitchen posts quite a while ago. But I never did it-we have great conversations, tell jokes, etc, and I usually forget the things I want to post about before I get a chance to sit down and write it. But the opportunity arose one evening, and I ran with it- and it appears someone liked it. Cool.

It also appears the City has managed to hire(?) a new sign code dude. I'll be keeping you updated on that. Ohh, yes, a new target for my sign enforcement effort (or lack thereof) posts! Just joking, I wouldn't pick on the new guy! Yet.

Went to the mall this weekend. Ugh. Didn't buy anything. I will be returning however, to the only good part of the mall-Scheels! The rest of that @#$ place can wallow in it's own misery without me.

Well, I'm off to do stuff. I've been workin' to much, and not at laundry, dishes, housecleaning.....But it never goes away!

Better.

2006-12-11T19:23:00.000-07:00

Wonder if those furry ones would really keep your feet warm.

I'm going to keep looking.

So I was looking for shoes.

2006-12-11T19:16:00.000-07:00

Not any of these.

I gotta say one more thing..

2006-12-11T09:59:00.000-07:00

O.K maybe more than one.
1. I never said the City is wrong for not allowing sledding.
2. I never said it was safe.
3.The City must assume it is safe.
Why then, did they post signs saying "At your own Risk"? Perhaps to signify there was a risk.
4.I do not believe the City encouraged sledding. People did it, the City attempted to make it safer, and in the end the City, and everyone else, paid for peoples decision to go sledding on this hill.
5."Isn't it amazing that we can't have sledding on Flag Hill, but the City actually created a dangerous skatepark?" Excellent point. I was wondering if anyone was going to point that out.

I was just throwing out a general post about risk and responsibility and others choose to run with it. I appreciate the intelligent discussion this has sparked, but rather frown upon senseless sarcasm and overzealous diatribe in my comments. I am not advocating sending our kids out to be injured and maimed, rather I was pointing out some of the activities that benefit kids, but may have risks involved, which I think could be overcome with a little public participation and the realization that almost anything can injure us, and it is not always someone else's fault.

I think it would be tough to end up on 10th Ave.

2006-12-09T15:45:00.000-07:00

Volenti non fit injuria

2006-12-07T19:59:00.000-07:00

We live in the best city in the best state in the best nation in the world, and we cannot let our kids go sledding on Flag Hill.

Our wonderful City built a beautiful skate park for our kids, in a park with the Missouri River flowing by. With the Rivers Edge Trail, that the people of this city built with their sweat and money, with dreams and a dedication to our community.

And we worry what will happen when someone gets hurt and sues the City. When. Not if.

I have talked before about talking responsibility for our actions, whatever those actions are. In the specific examples here, if you go sledding out on the family farm and get hurt, you are responsible for what happens. But if you go sledding on a City hill, with signs that state “at your own risk” someone can always find a way to sue. If you let your kids go skateboarding or roller skating at the skate park, is there a chance they will injure themselves?
Yes.
Is it your responsibility as a parent to understand that risk and decide if it means your kids can’t go? How many adults out there remember jumping your bikes off loading docks, every hill and gravel pile you could find, the steps of your buddys house. If you got hurt, what did your parents tell you? When you wiped out did you pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and be more careful next time? Were you a kid who learned from your mistakes, or did your Mommy make you stay home and do safe things because you might get hurt?
How much fun is being a kid then.

???

2006-12-07T18:05:00.000-07:00

Ok, how did that happen?
Anyhow, go vote. And thanks.

Scientists working on a drug to cure obesity!

2006-12-02T18:21:00.000-07:00

“A nationwide epidemic”

I saw Richard Simmons on Letterman the other night. Now, I cannot stand Simmons. But he started talking about Physical Education in our schools, how important it is. And I found myself agreeing with him.

I started thinking about this.

I looked at all the kids walking out of school for the next few days.

I considered the adults I see everyday.

I think my son needs to get more exercise.
He has gym, roller blades daily, (when that crappy white stuff is not on the ground) rollerblades at Hauers about once a week, goes to the skate park regularly, runs around with his friends, and is generally fairly active-when he is not sitting around playing video games.

He ended up on the ground panting and exhausted, begging for a break, after hunting for just a couple hours with me and his Dad. I know several other kids who are much more sedentary, and they are becoming overweight.

Wonder why?

In my kitchen...

2006-12-02T06:15:00.000-07:00

with 3 twelve year old boys, I ask:

so guys, what's up with the graffiti at the skate park?
B1: It's cool!
Me: don't be a dork, it's your skate park, I'm asking this seriously. This is something you guys can be involved in. I ever find out any of you do something like that I'll make sure you get in so much trouble. I know your parents. And your principal.
B2: Why don't they just leave it?
me: The city has an ordinance that says graffiti must be removed in 72 hours, the city should have to follow its own rules dontcha think?
B2: It's already been up way longer than that.
Me: So they get it cleaned up, how do we stop it from happening again?
b3: It's the older kids who do it
me: the ones who bring the bikes?
b's x 3: Yeah, they show up with bags and big coats with stuff in the pockets, yeah, big duffel bags, and throw them down all over, we' ve tripped on them and stuff, they are kinda mean to the younger kids.
me: how old are these kids?
b2: older than us, like high school
b3: yeah, probly 15 - 17, and they stay later than us, after dark.
me: does anyone ever run them off?
b2: theres an older couple that sits down there sometimes that says something once in a while, and sometimes if there's a parent around they will say something but the kids don't pay them much attention
b3: yeah till they see someone on a cell phone, then they take off for a while, but they come back.
b2: the cops should come by and run them off.
me: do the cops ever stop down there?
b2: some times they walk up on the tracks, and look at the skaters, and we see them drive by, but the kids on bikes watch for them
b3: sometimes we'll be in there and we'll hear "cops" and all the guys on bikes take off for a few minutes, but they come right back.
me: so what do you think should happen to them?
b3: they should get banned
me: but how does that get enforced?
b2: well if there was like an attendant or something to make sure there weren't any bikes coming in
me: see, now we are back to having someone there, (we talked about that part before) and that is what is going to end up costing you. The city isn't going to pay someone to enforce the rules with out that money coming from somewhere.
b1: a robot would be cool, you could put him on wheels and-
me: focus boy, this is real life! the city isn't going to get a skate park robot! (It would be cool tho.)
b3: maybe they could get like volunteers, the guy at zoomiez in the mall might do it, he is really nice.
me: so you think an adult just being there would make a difference? I don't think the zoomiez guy can do it by himself, either.
b's x 3: Oh yeah, if there was just someone hanging around, and kids knew they would get in trouble for breaking the rules, it would make a difference.
me: but you guys know there are cameras there, doesn't that make a difference?
b2: they don't work
me: what do you mean, they don't work?
b2, b3: someone put grip tape on the poles and climbed up there and snipped the wires, yeah, long time ago, and the lights too, everyone knows.
me: so you're telling me the cameras and the lights don't work and everyone down there knows.
b2: oh yeah
me: so if the cameras worked, do you think that would help with the graffiti?
b2: yeah, well if kids knew people could see them they wouldn't want to get in trouble
me: so say the cameras worked, and someone got caught, doing that, what should happen? should their parents get called, or the cops or what would make you not do it again?
b2: the cops, that would scare me
b3: yeah, if kids knew the cops would get them they wouldn't do it
me: so, you don't think kids are worried about the cops down there?
b2: no, they never do nuthin', just drive by once in a while or look in. kids run but they come right back.
me: you guys know what a webcam is?
b's x3: oh, yeah, those are cool
me: think if kids knew their parents could watch them on the computer they would behave? (You should have seen the looks on their faces!)
b2: well, yeah, but...
me: would fencing it do any good?
b3: only if there was a gate, and someone to make sure they didn't bring bikes in
me: ok, but we are back to a person there
b2: maybe they could put up those pillars like at school, so a bike couldn't fit through, and tall so you couldn't toss it over
me: that is actually a pretty good idea. but, we have to be fair and not discriminate here. how do you make it so a bike cannot fit through, and a fat kid can?
(unfit for print. these are 12 year old boys.)
me: so you think it will help if they fix the cameras?
b2: yeah, until they get cut again. maybe they should hide like nanny cams around that no one knows where they are

We talked for quite awhile. I told them to think about it, and talk to other friends, and let me know if they come up with any ideas.
One idea I have discussed is a small concession stand, where a guy could make a little money selling them soda and candy, and with the authority to kick kids out or call for backup if needed.
However, there would still be times when no one was around, for the artistes to create masterpieces.

I think one of the main issues here is that these kids see that there is no one getting caught for doing things wrong. The boys that I was talking to are good kids. They know there are not so good kids at the skate park and that those kids are not worried about getting caught for breaking the rules.
The City talks about self policing, but how do 10-14 year old kids make 14-18 year old kids follow the rules?

Oh, Oh, wait!!!!

2006-11-24T12:29:00.000-07:00

I almost forgot!!

With all the busy ness in the last few days I forgot a very important post, that I know you all want to read about!

It is that time of year! The time we have all been waiting for, oh so patiently!

Yes, walleye fishing is slowing down, water temp has dropped to a suffient degree
--it is that short period of time before the river freezes--

Ling Fishing!
I know, control your joy. It is once again time to spend peaceful evenings down on the riverbank, a wintery chill in the air, warming frigid toes beside a nice fire, sipping a toddy. A few short weeks, and the opportunity will be gone until spring, when the ice is coming off.
Ling are very tasty, but one has limited opportunities to stock up the freezer. Must make the most of this time. Perhaps tonight.

2006-11-24T09:03:00.000-07:00

So I'm off work at 5:00 tuesday. Collect the kid, so it's sixish by the time we arrive home. I am not prepared for the coming day. However, the other half pitches in and we get the house mostly clean, and all the while, I'm compiling the list of all the things I have forgotten to buy, that I will need for the massive feast that will kick off on the morrow. A quick dinner, and it's off to the grocery, armed with the list of all the things I have remembered I need. Speed shopping at it's finest. With of course, the five year old that does not yet comprehend " We are in a hurry, that means no you can't look at every damn toy the store hangs there just to make this harder on all the poor moms who just want to get their pecans and go have a beer..."

Apon our arrival back at the old homestead, we discover the help has succumed. Asleep in his chair, an occasional whuffle the only sign of life. The girl must get her Barbie fix, so I set her up on the computer, and it's on with the show.

About tenish, I check the turkey for thawedness, which leads to the realization- I forgot to buy a damn roasting pan! Hmm, 20 lb bird, 5 hours in the oven, eat at about 3, must be in the oven by 10, but need an hour for the pies first, and must have stuffing ready when the bird goes in, so another trip to the store in the morning before I can get that all started, what else did I forget.

Of course, the other half didn't wake me up, He was being nice ya know, cuz he knows I will have a long day, so at 8:35 I open my eyes and look at the clock. CRAP, 25 minutes to get up, dressed, to the store and back, the pies must. go. in. by. 9 and that is cutting things very close! Things may have gone bad there, but luckily, I am the type that can prepare myself for a trip to the store in about 2 minutes, so off I go. (Aarghh, I left my coffee sitting on the table!)
Oh, casual acquaintances, you must remember, early morning at the store ON THANKSGIVING DAY is not the place to strike up a conversation with the woman you think you know, very bad form. Nod, smile, move on. If she looks like she will run at the slightest break in conversation, let her go! There are pies waiting and those eggs are not going to devil themselves!

Back home to my coffee. and kitchen. Things went pretty well after that, I only scorched one pie crust, didn't chop off any fingers, and managed to instigate a wonderful arguement between every member of the other half's family about how to tell when the turkey is done. Priceless. I didn't actually need any info on that subject, but you should have seen the looks on their faces as I turned away from the oven, full of indecision, and asked oh so innocently, "How do I tell if it's done? " Like I haven't been feeding them turkey every year for the last six years.

My children dissapeared as friends and family departed, so by evening it was just a couple good friends, me and the other half and the rest of the wine. I managed to make most of that go away too. Through steely self discipline, I washed dishes and cleaned as needed all through the day, so the kitchen is relatively clean this morning, the other half had to work, I have no children, leftover pie, and plenty of coffee. Life is good. I am thankful.
Hope it was great for all of you!

In 1882

2006-11-18T19:30:00.000-07:00

Photographed by F. Jay Haynes, Summer, 1880

Haynes Foundation Collection Montana Historical Society H-326

from a high point on the plains near the confluence of the Missouri and Sun rivers, Paris Gibson first viewed the area where he would start a city.

Unlike many other western cities, Great Falls was planned by a practical and extremely thoughtful man. While organizing the town, Gibson made sure the streets were laid out in a precise, arrow- straight pattern, and he set aside 886 acres for city parks. Gibson believed beauty was important in a city and personally made sure that elm, ash, and fir trees were planted on every street and boulevard. Now we have several other varieties of trees spreading around town, helping out with the fall foliage color scheme.

Our original township had a well planned grid of streets, nicely numbered, north, south, east, west, because unlike many other cities, Great Falls was planned by a practical and extremely thoughtful man. (Now, I personally think the folks who mapped Missoula gave a drunk a couple hits of acid and followed him around the valley for a few days.)

As our town grew, new developments veered away from the original structured system, and curved and cul de saced, and were named Ivy Lane and Doris Drive, and such like, causing yours truly pains as she attempts to figure out where the heck some of these places are. But the originals are names everyone here knows, and they are part of our town, even if some of them do smell.

I remember coming in to town off Airport hill at night in the late ‘70’s and seeing the city lights spread out below us.

I remember coming into town the same way a few weeks ago, and seeing the city lights spread out. And around. And up. There is a lot more to the town than there was thirty years ago. I wonder if Mr. Gibson would be happy with what his dream has become.

"I'm bored"

2006-11-18T18:18:00.000-07:00

two words I would never say to my mom.
She always found us things to do. And they were not fun things.
So I suggest cleaning of the rooms, picking up the mess, er, house, or read a book, or Lego's, Barbies, Polly, movies, games, a trip to the salt mines..... No, those things are no fun. So I mention if all those toys are no fun, I can simply stop buying them.
Now the girl is walking around singing "I'm not bored, I'm not bored".

Hey computer people

2006-11-18T12:25:00.000-07:00

Why has my screen started wildly scrolling up and down for absolutely no reason? And how do I fix it? Help!

"The Growth of Principles."

2006-11-15T22:05:00.000-07:00

This was written by The Honourable Joseph Neilson, Chief Justice of the City Court of Brooklyn, in 1875.

"At the sea shore you pick up a pebble, fashioned after a law of nature, in the exact form that best resists pressure, and worn as smooth as glass. It is so perfect that you take it as a keepsake. But could you know its history from the time when a rough fragment of rock fell from the overhanging cliff into the sea, to be taken possession of by the under currents, and dragged from one ocean to another, perhaps around the world, for a hundred years, until in reduced and perfect form it was cast upon the beach as you find it, you would have a fit illustration of what many principles, now in familiar use, have endured, thus tried, tortured and fashioned during the ages. We stand by the river and admire the great body of water flowing so sweetly on; could you trace it back to its source, you might find a mere rivulet, but meandering on, joined by other streams and by secret springs, and fed by the rains and dews of heaven, it gathers volume and force, makes its way through the gorges of the mountains, plows, widens and deepens its channel through the provinces, and attains its present majesty. Thus it is that our truest systems of science had small beginnings, gradual and countless contributions, and finally took their place in use, as each of you, from helpless childhood and feeble boyhood, have grown to your present strength and maturity. No such system could be born in a day. It was not as when nature in fitful pulsations of her strength suddenly lifted the land into mountain ranges, but rather, as with small accretions, gathered in during countless years, she builds her islands in the seas.

"It took a long time to learn the true nature and office of governments; to discover and secure the principles commonly indicated by such terms as 'Magna Charta,' the 'Bill of Rights,' 'Habeas Corpus,' and the 'Right of trial by jury;' to found the family home, with its laws of social order, regulating the rights and duties of each member of it, so that the music at the domestic hearth might flow on without discord; the household gods so securely planted that 'Though the wind and the rain might enter, the king could not'; to educate noise into music, and music into melody; to infuse into the social code and into the law a spirit of Christian charity, something of the benign temper of the New Testament, so that no man could be persecuted for conscience sake, so that there should be an end of human sacrifice for mere faith or opinion; the smouldering fires at the foot of the stake put out, now, thank God, as effectually as if all the waters that this night flood the rivers had been poured in upon them. It took a long time to learn that war was a foolish and cruel method of settling international differences as compared with arbitration; to learn that piracy was less profitable than a liberal commerce; that unpaid labor was not as good as well-requited toil; that a splenetic old woman, falling into trances and shrieking prophecies, was a fit subject for the asylum rather than to be burned as a witch.

"It took a long, long time after the art of printing had been perfected before we learned the priceless value, the sovereign dignity and usefulness of a free press.

"But these lessons have been taught and learned; taught for the most part by the prophets of our race, men living in advance of their age, and understood only by the succeeding generations. But you have the inheritance."

hmm..

2006-11-15T18:58:00.000-07:00

Well, the other half went to brand some cows. I should be doing laundry or dishes or any of the other things I haven't been doing enough of lately, but instead, I am writing and commenting! Aren't y'all lucky!

I'm bored with my header again. Any ideas?

I also notice Blogger is pushing it new Beta feature like a pimp with a new wh...ell, never mind. Any one tried it out yet? Beta Blogger that is.

I squished my little pinkie finger today, and like a real girl, I am whining about it. It hurts, damn it! Oh, and high heels, which I have not worn for forever, but somehow am again, suck. I don't mind dressing nice, actually enjoy it most times, but women's shoes are torture devices that I could live without. Especially when you have like, very limited options in the shoe area. Ah, the sacrifices we make to look good.

And this really gets me. In a women's bathroom is a sign that says If needed, please clean off the seat when you're done. (I paraphrased, it says more than that, but you don't really need to know it all)
Now this is a women's bathroom. I want to know, how is missing the target such a big problem for someone that there needs to be a statement about it?? I mean, is there really that much opportunity to miss? I thought women had up-splash issues pretty well covered. And I totally feel for the gal that decided to put the sign up. You really don't expect that particular problem in the ladies room.

Well, I gotta go do the things that keep the world moving, or at least enough of them to keep my little world relatively happy.

Real quick...

2006-11-14T21:26:00.000-07:00

All you political wannabe’s remember your signs need to be removed 10 days after the election…. Not that anyone would take pictures and post them on the internet with scathing comments about how the sign code really makes the town look better. Just to be contrary.

Hey, I have a question (or three) for all you local readers that buzz through here. Evidently the Sign Code is being interpreted to say window graphics may only cover 1/3 of an architecturally distinct window. Period. Now when this thing was in the planning stage, several of the wonderful people planning it stated that if you wished to cover more than 1/3 of your window, you could, but it had to be permitted as a wall sign, and would count against that allowance.
Where did that go?
Why can a business not cover an entire window if it wishes?
How does it affect anyone but the business with the damn windows?
If a beauty salon wants to cover all its windows and work like a bunch of moles in a dark little hole why does the city have the right to tell them NO you must have light!?
Oh, and why is it only enforced it you try to get a permit? I seem to have noticed a couple windows here and there that have more than 1/3 coverage. Wonder if there is anyone out there who would take pictures and post them on the internet…

I am also curious who inspected the Flyin J sign. You know, because if these signs are like, inspected and permitted by a guy paid to do it, they will be safer, and won’t fall down, right? RIGHT? You can visually inspect a structural weld, right?

Oh, and Dave, I have no idea what post that last comment of yours addresses. But I understand what your saying.

Halftime!

2006-11-11T13:45:00.000-07:00

Now there was a little offense!

I feel bad, I have been a terrible blogger lately, and I have things to say, just no time to get it done. Once again, I cannot say I'll do better, because I doubt I will in the near future. Such is life.
I do have a post I may get up today, after the game. (Prioritys ya know!)

Anyway, elections are over, the results of which did not really thrill me or cause me the deep pain some of my fellow bloggers felt. The people have chosen, and we shall see. Electing politicians is kinda like golfing blind anyway. You might get close, but you'll never win.

Ok

2006-11-07T11:01:00.000-07:00

I got a referral from blogshares, so I went and looked. It says my blog is worth over 9 grand. Where do I sign? I want my money.

In other news, Sunday hunting netted my buddy a nice 4 point bull REMOVED WHOLE! from a rather icky place to remove an elk. Great day.

Have you voted yet?

2006-11-04T15:16:00.000-07:00

WhooHoo, what a game! Pulled it out at the last seconds we did. Did you see how close that last kick was to not scoring? Damn. Griz Rule.

As GeeGuy says...

2006-11-03T21:55:00.000-07:00

get out your wallets. Our Justices have had their hands slapped, and we get to pay Attorney Lawrence Anderson's legal fees.

Lawrence A. Anderson
vs
The Justice Court, City of Great Falls, Cascade County Mt. JP Jensen, JP Harris and Acting JP Donahue

"The Justice Court was proceeding in excess of its jurisdiction due to the procedural defects....."

"To the extent that Petitioner is further aggrieved by subsequent proceedings of the Justice Court, Petitioner shall seek ordinary or extraordinary review in the manner otherwise provided by law in an independently filed proceeding"

"Petitioner has properly pled and is entitled to recover attorney fees and costs as damages in this proceeding"

Respondents JP Kathleen Jensen and Acting JP James Donahue appeared pro se. JP Sam Harris did not appear personally or through counsel. Petitioner Lawrence Anderson appeared personally and through counsel Timothy Strauch. (I think that's the guy who gets your money for attorney fees.)

So the local JP's overstepped their boundaries and got caught this time. Hopefully the ones that remain will remember.

I personally think Mr. Harris should have shown up. He is still Justice of the Peace, having chosen not to resign until the end of his term. So he should be there to defend his actions.

And just a bit on that, there has been conjecture on a master plan to somehow win the election and choose not to resign, the people have spoken type thing. Well dammit people, speak. He cannot win if you do not vote for him. Simple. This is why we have elections. If you don't vote, don't bitch, because it must not mean that much to you. Easy.

I really wish we did not have our Justices in the news as much as they have been lately. I feel comfortable when I can trust that they are doing their jobs, not causing any problems. When I hear about their actions costing the county (us) money, and people talking about private habits on the street, and conjectures about things we haven't even heard about yet, and Judges violating the rights of the people who appear before them, I do not really feel comfortable with the people that are judging us. I do not feel confident that our system is working in the best interest of the people.
Mr. Anderson is a people. The ones he represents are people. Just regular folks, you may see them on the street, they go home to families much like yours, and kiss their kids, and worry about college funds, or how to pay the rent. They believe our courts should be for the people, with the wrongdoers punished and the innocent vindicated, and Judges will treat everyone with decency and respect. People need to believe the system works. Perhaps that is why the standards for judges are high, and the conduct demanded of them exemplary. So people can have confidence that the system will work.

So the problem with being 5'10"...

2006-10-30T16:21:00.000-07:00

These would put me at about 6' 3"

2006-10-29T12:00:00.000-07:00

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.— The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

A journalist is a person who practices journalism, the gathering and dissemination of information about current events, trends, issues and people.
Most journalists adhere to the standards and norms expressed in the Society of Professional Journalists code of ethics. Foremost in the minds of most practicing journalists is the issue of maintaining credibility, "Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist's credibility."

What about bloggers?
` . . . we can see no sustainable basis to distinguish petitioners [the online journalists] from the reporters, editors, and publishers who provide news to the public through traditional print and broadcast media' —A California court in response to Apple Corp. suit launched against online news sites

John Doe 1 v. Cahill, Chief Justice Myron Steele (Delaware Supreme Court) described the Internet as a "unique democratizing medium unlike anything that has come before" and said anonymous speech in blogs and chat rooms in some instances can become the modern equivalent of political pamphleteering. Accordingly, a plaintiff claiming defamation should be required to provide sufficient evidence to overcome a defendant's motion for summary judgment before a court orders the disclosure of a blogger's identity.
"We are concerned that setting the standard too low will chill potential posters from exercising their First Amendment right to speak anonymously," Steele wrote. "The possibility of losing anonymity in a future lawsuit could intimidate anonymous posters into self-censoring their comments or simply not commenting at all."
Steele noted in the opinion that plaintiffs in such cases can use the Internet to respond to character attacks and "generally set the record straight," and that, as in Cahill's case, blogs and chatrooms tend to be vehicles for people to express opinions, not facts.

(Did you see that line I bolded right up there?)

There are many more decisions and opinions out there, but most support these two cases, often with the opinion that the Internet gives regular people the ability to state opinions and pass information that mainstream media does not. One of the main points of dissension seems to be on comments to an article.
Does the blog host have a responsibility to moderate commenters and screen out possibly false or libelous statements? Or does it become a third party issue, with the commenter bearing the brunt of his or her statements? Personally, I feel it is a combination of the two.
As a blog host I feel I have a responsibility to decide what lines my commenters may cross. If I felt someone had crossed that line, I would remove the comment, for both my protection and theirs. Happily, I have never felt the need to do that, and I hope I never will. I will caution commenters though, do not take your right to comment for granted. This is my forum. You are here because I allow you to be.

"Fix reason firmly in her seat," wrote Thomas Jefferson, "and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. . . . . Your own reason is the only oracle given you by heaven, and you are answerable, not for the rightness, but the uprightness of the decision."

2006-10-23T09:55:00.000-06:00

You can choose a ready guide
In some celestial voice
If you choose not to decide
You still have made a choice

You can choose from phantom fears
And kindness that can kill
I will choose a path thats clear
I will choose free will

A Sunday ramble.

2006-10-22T10:34:00.000-06:00

I was working on a post about anonymity, credibility, and journalistic protection and use of them, but GeeGuy managed to beat me to the punch on that, so I will refrain for now.
But I will ask the public a couple of questions that have been bouncing around in my mind.

There has been a lot of discussion over the public/private aspect of this Harris issue, the personal time to be just a guy letting off steam. Now I do think to some extent he has a right to be just a guy, doing what he likes. But he represented himself on these forums as a Judge. Not as Sam, an attorney or Sam, a gamer, but Sam, a Judge.
When Donna comments on these forums, perhaps on her personal time, she is viewed as our Mayor. When Joe Briggs comments, I have always had the feeling that he is doing it with the expectation that we will view his comments as coming from a County Commissioner. GeeGuy is constrained in many topics because of his profession. Steven Fagenstrom has made some recent comments, and he has done so in a manner befitting a man running for public office, knowing that is how he will be viewed. Dave is limited in some topics and forms of personal expression because of his job.

So, how do you separate the public person from the private person?
Is it really realistic to expect people to?

I have a couple readers who I do not know, But I read their blogs and feel I have a reasonable understanding of who they are. If they were to make comments or posts that were significantly different than the image I have of them I would be surprised. It would change the way I feel about them, and how I view what they say.

Is that unreasonable?

O.K. I cannot help myself.

Mr. Newhouse, If I had allowed you to print my name, how would that have lent more credibility to your story than the fact that the man in question had already admitted he made those comments?
You had proof. What happened to protecting your sources for that story?
I am not trying to make this personal, or cast any doubt on your trustworthiness, but it goes back to the questions above.
You are a reporter. If people had any doubt about your ability to keep their secrets in your private life, could that affect your job, and vice versa?
And now it seems that the Tribune has created a circumstance where it looks like it's reporters have treated the possible supporters of political opponents differently. Why?
Just asking.

Oh, come on.

2006-10-20T21:23:00.000-06:00

It's just politics?
"I am offended more that the Tribune chose to include this on the front page of the paper than anything Mr. Harris may have said."
Why, because the Tribune tries (sometimes) to be a newspaper, reporting things that can affect the community? What possible justification could they give for not reporting on this?

"Why is Mr. Smiths personal vendetta newsworthy?" Perhaps because it is about a public official, who seems to hold his personal actions as above the judgment of us common folk. And maybe you should ask the Tribune reporter who wrote the story, or the T.V. anchors who interviewed poor Mr. Harris as he said sorry. After of course, he had had the entire five years worth of comments erased - almost as if he knew that side of his personality could damage his reputation.

"It is appalling that Mr. Smith set a trap on the internet to spy on Justice Harris, and use his "guy talk" against him." How exactly did Mr Smith set a trap? This was a public forum! Did he invent the game? And if Mr. Smith had attempted to post on it in the hopes of luring Harris into saying something inappropriate, (Not that he needed help) I think we would have heard about it by now, since the administrators of the game are "friends" of Mr. Harris'.

"At what point can we, as users of technology, assume a fair amount of privacy when conversing with friends and family on the internet?" Well, I call it e-mail, it is kinda set up so only the people you want to can read it. Takes a lot of the guess work out of "Public" and "Private"

"Let's not forget Justice Harris never used a county computer for personal use. Period." Actually, that has not been proven. He played that game for five years, and his computer was only monitored for a few months. But I'll give you innocent until proven guilty on that one. For now.

I notice she doesn't claim that he never he played or posted during work hours. Kinda hard to spin that I guess. I notice she says nothing about a Judge discussing killing a man for minor vandalism and burying him in a coulee. Just a good ol' boy, letting off steam, ya know. She doesn't mention how the people who have been married by Harris over the years can now look back on that beautiful day and remember that the Judge was counting his dollars while they said "I do". Must not be important.
She doesn't mention that the man who now wishes us to cut him a little slack and accept that he is a human, with flaws, threw a single mother in jail for failure to pay a civil judgment. She fails to consider that the man who stated under oath that viewing gay porn made him physically ill has no problem joking about gays, or porn, and possibly even socializes with gay men.

This is not just about words, typed on a game forum. It is about the man behind those words and the character that has been revealed. It is not about what a newspaper chooses to print. This is about the the people we are willing to give power over our lives to, and how those people use that power. Has Sam Harris violated the trust we put in him when we elected him? Has he abused the office we gave him? Does he have the moral and ethical high ground when he pronounces judgment on us?
Is he above reproach?

Google

2006-10-19T20:29:00.000-06:00

Somehow, for some reason I got a hit off of "how many polly pockets were made world wide"
As far as I can remember, I have only alluded to Polly in one post.
I don't think I like Polly Pocket. She probably has health care, never needs to worry about Social Security being around when she retires, has nothing to retire from, she has a car that turns into a helicopter, and a guy to drive it. She doesn't have to fix dinner or do laundry, or worry about sending her kids to college. Her parents are never around to tell her her rock band is too loud, or she spends to much on clothes, and to get her homework done. She will never worry about having shoes to match her blouse, or if she has the proper "accessories". Her hair is always perfect, her little plastic makeup is perfect on her little plastic face, and her clothes always fit. Yeah, I don't like her. Excuse me, I 'm going to go hide all her left shoes. See how she gets out of that!

2006-10-16T17:22:00.000-06:00

Some hunters will find a place to sit and wait...

Skate Park

2006-10-12T10:53:00.000-06:00

The Tribune recently had an article on this, as did Aaron over at TSJ. I have been thinking about the issues raised, and discussing what goes on over there with a group of small people. Yes, small people. The ones who say, Mom, can we go to the skate park.
I am concerned. I am concerned about the need to to enforce an ordinance the City has in place. I am concerned about the thought of writing tickets to children. I am concerned with the thought that my son and his friends need to be fenced away from the rest of the park while skating. I am concerned that parents do not make sure their kids have needed safety equipment. I am concerned about the fact that there are parents who will blame the City for their children being injured at a public facility covered with signs stating "At your own risk".
I do not have answers for the concerns that have been raised.
I know my son and the friends he skates with understand the rules, and follow them. I know if my son were to be injured while skating there, I would consider it my responsibility to pay any medical costs. And I know if he continues to tell me that most of the problems are caused by older kids, and kids violating the rules by bringing bikes and such to the park, that I will go there with him as an adult, parent, member of this community, with a responsibility to the community and all the children in it, and enforce the rules while my child is there.
Helmets are cheap, people. Teaching your kids safety and responsibility is free. The City should not have to do it for you.

Excerpts from the

2006-10-08T09:38:00.000-06:00

Canons of Judicial Ethics
Adopted by the Montana Supreme Court May 1, 1963
Canon 35 Amended April 18, 1980.

The Supreme Court of Montana being mindful that the character and conduct of a judge should never be objects of indifference, and that declared ethical standards tend to become habits of life, deems it desirable to set forth its views respecting those principles which should govern the personal practice of members of the judiciary in the administration of their office. The Court accordingly adopts the following Canons, the spirit of which it suggests as a proper guide and reminder for judges, and as indicating what the people have a right to expect from them.

4. Avoidance of Impropriety.
A judge’s official conduct should be free from impropriety and the appearance of impropriety; he should avoid infractions of law; and his personal behavior, not only upon the Bench and in the performance of judicial duties, but also in his everyday life, should be beyond reproach.

In a review of the Canons for the Judicial Conduct Reporter, Vol 25, No 3, Fall 2003, Cynthia Gray wrote “the test for the appearance of impropriety is that of a reasonable person, a standard familiar to judges. The “reasonable person” has been defined in the judicial discipline context as a reasonably intelligent and informed member of the public: an objective observer: the average person encountered in society: and the thinking public. The reasonable person is neither a “highly sophisticated observer of public affairs” nor a “cynic skeptical of the government and the courts” and neither “excessively indulgent, nor excessively jaundiced”.

She illustrated these points with relevant cases, which I am not going to type out. If you want more detailed info, e-mail me. Or try Google.

I am posting this for two reasons.

1. I was curious what the standard for “appearance” was, and thought others might be also.
2. I think it is important to be informed. I mentioned that in a previous post. I have seen no other media define what "appearance of impropriety" is. Maybe I missed it.

And now, I too, am done with this subject.

2006-10-08T09:33:00.000-06:00

After a few short months these babies are learning to fly with mom and dad. Soon, they will have the formation down, and next year they will propably have babies of their own.

Makes me glad mine don't grow up that fast. Can you just imagine raising kids from start to finish every year!

You didn't think I gave up did you?

2006-10-08T06:26:00.000-06:00

I recently had reason to pull a copy of the Missoula Sign Code. Now I know that the Great Falls committee used Missoula's code as a guideline during the ah, restructuring. So it was with a bit of surprise that as I read through this thing, I am struck by how our code basically says the same thing in several instances, but with more words and less clarity. Why didn't they just copy the damn thing!

"Temporary political signs are allowed anywhere even on public property as long as they are placed at least 12 feet from the back of the curb. This wording is the same in the current code. The reason is that Great Falls has varying boulevard/public right of way distances and for ease of campaigning this provision was added."
12'? Really?Have I mentioned I don't like the allowances for political signs? And are they not still supposed to be "Of professional quality, with no loose or peeling paint..." ?

None of these pictures are intended to show any bias, real or imagined, by anyone, toward any business or political entity. However I think (isn't there something in that code about abandoned signs?) two of them may be in need of a little tender lovin' care, and one is just a political sign, so I guess it doesn't matter.

Before complaining about new signs why don't we look at some of the signs that could be taken down? Do either of those first two signs actually serve a purpose in this town? Could they?

Stupid rain.

2006-10-07T19:49:00.000-06:00

Well, I had no plans to post anything this weekend. But it’s to wet to go antelope hunting, so I’m still home, and I may write a new post on some relevant event or news worthy subject later. Perhaps.
Depending on child supervision needs and my level of personal motivation.
I am quite bummed about the hunting not happening. Maybe it will blow and dry and stuff enough tomorrow that Monday will be worth hunting. We shall see. Long drive for only one day.
Opening day of antelope did this to us last year too.
Shoulda just gone walleye fishing.

A few points

2006-10-05T17:58:00.000-06:00

"But I would respectfully submit that there are different degrees of "public" in terms of exposure, and that these comments were not intended for a widespread, public audience."

The internet is not private. I believe Sam testified at Smartt's hearing that he had "no expectation of privacy on his office computer." We have none on the internet. I do not accept that anyone could have any expectation of privacy in the Gore forums, using their own name, birthdate, job, election results and a P.O. Box for donations. Perhaps this whole experience is proof of that.

"Mike Smartt issue, which is separate and involved the use of public property and time" Not really a valid distinction. First, it appears Sam may have used public "time". He posted during work hours on work days. We do not know if he was "at work". As far as public property, that was not illegal at the time Mike did it (there was no county policy in place).

About Mike Smartt, the attorney " poor judgment is a very bad trait in an attorney, and one not often correctable"
It is bad for a lawyer, but what about a judge?

On the issue of whether he should be free to be "not Justice of the Peace Harris, but Sam from Conrad, a Montana guy with some rough edges, having fun and bantering with his friends," it is whether that is really him. "Sam from Conrad, a Montana guy with some rough edges," would not have been 'scarred for life' by seeing some pictures of gay sex acts. Yet, Sam the judge testified under oath that he was.

"To what extent should judges, being human, be allowed to be left alone with their private lives? " To the extent that their private lives do not cause public upset and unrest when seen by the public. That whole pesky Judicial Ethics thing again.

I would also like to note that I have seen and heard some comments around town that dissapoint me. If you are going to get on the band wagon and take sides here, especially if it is solely political, find out what you are talking about. This is not a witch hunt, it is our judicial system. It is about how we define right and wrong, in this world we live in, and we should treat it as a serious issue, worth some actual thought.

GORE

2006-09-29T14:39:00.000-06:00

* If you don't know why this post is up go here for the History lesson. *
The information here by itself is insignificant. But when you consider the history, you see another picture. I don't care who watches porn, or swears or any of these other things. I do some of them myself. But when you put this information in context, it makes you ask questions.
Every bit of information here is completely factual. Links are provided, see for yourself. The forum may be down pretty quick though.

In the Great Falls Tribune, on Nov 3 2000, Justice of the Peace Sam Harris stated “I feel the public has a right to know what’s going on in the county with our elected officials.”

The canons of judicial ethics state a judge “should avoid infractions of law; his personal behavior, not only upon the bench and in the performance of judicial duties, but also in his everyday life, should be beyond reproach,” and “In every particular his conduct should be above reproach”.

“ What we think is who we are” says Sam, a Judge from Great Falls who regularly plays an online game called GORE.

GORE is what one calls a "first person shooter," or FPS. It is a game where what you see on the screen is what your character in the game would see. That usually includes the business end of a weapon pointing away from you as you wander around the game's environment shooting and blowing up anybody and anything in your path. Further, GORE can be played online. As is common with these games, in order to generate or maintain interest, the game's developers maintain forums or message boards where the players of the game (or anyone else who is interested) can sign up and go online to hold discussions about the game or anything else that strikes their fancy. The folks who brought us GORE have such a forum. This is a public forum. you do not have to log in to read it, only to post on it.

This is a profile of Sam, a Judge from Great Falls. I know that Sam from the GORE forums posted Sam Harris's primary election results this last June.
I know that Sam from the GORE forums said " TBH (to be honest) teh last time I got gay porn off a guy's computer it cost me 2 years of my life and ended with teh guy hanging himself."
I know he said “ I am one of the only players that ALWAYS uses my own name. Whether you like me or not, you know who it is you are playing against. I got nothing to hide.”

But I do not know that this is the same man that said “The extent of his addiction is shocking” when defending his public exposure of Mike Smartt viewing pornographic images on a county owned computer. Harris stated in his complaint that as a result of viewing gay porn on Smartt’s computer he had trouble concentrating at work, and got upset each time he saw Smartt. “My stomach has been upset and I’m having trouble sleeping”

Sounds like a pretty sensitive guy, nothing like online Sam, who doesn’t mind talking about porn and who, in his own words, has pretty thick skin.

October 6, 2004, Sam learns his friend, Doghouse, had knee surgery: "Take care, Dog. Use you recovery time to play video games and watch porn."

“You gotta do a lot better than putz to hurt my feelings -- I get called dirty names all day Pretty thick skin, tbh. Actually, now that I think about it, I'm a little hurt that you called me a putz. I knew I was an asshole, was unclear about my putzery.”

And online Sam has this to say about how much he time he spends playing GORE.
“lol at anyone saying I don't play much. 1 to 6 hours a day for YEARS.”
But that wouldn’t be considered an addiction, would it? Perhaps more of a religious experience?

October 29, 2003, "I have gotten 2 years and approximately 1.4 million hours of gameplay out of Gore for a cost of $17. It is teh best game ever created. I will buy anything 4D puts in a box just because of that. Joel can make my money for giving me this game. If Gore II comes out, well, that is like teh 2nd coming of Jesus. It is very good." And that was in ‘03, so now it is 5 years.

Speaking of religion, online Sam says
"I say "fairly" hot because teh bible says some BS about not coveting thy neighbors wife. Since Dog is in my clan, I gotta think he doesn't really want me doing alot of coveting, you know?" November 13, 2003

Sam on the game feels that he can discuss just about anything.
In a thread about how long you should know some one before getting married he states:
“well, I think teh 15 minutes it takes to get teh license and $50 to $100 for Sam is long enuf for someone to get to know someone else well enuf to marry. Of course, I get paid to do teh weddings for such fools. If they are not paying me, then I think it takes longer.”

But a real Judge would never say something like this - would he? Not over a car being vandalized! September 19, 2006, "Put him in a coulee, imo. (in my opinion)" The next day, September 20, 2006, Sam expands on his suggestion: "A coulee is a small valley or ravine. He should be dead before u put him there, or else he may crawl away, thereby causing u troubles. Also, you should place some big rocks on him so coyotes do not drag his bones around for hunters to find (also causing u troubles)."

Online Sam cares about his online friends.
”The reaso for the drop-off in CTF players teh last couple of days is that I am out of town and no one likes to play without Sam.I know it hurts teh game, that is why I don't leave often.”

And he has good self esteem.”I read your reply to my post and realized I may be a little off base. I took your advice and took a good look in the mirror. I looked and looked, then I thought "Damn, I'm good lookin' and I really go da skillz, and that Leo is still fulla sh*t and screwing up his kids letting them play violent games in a nasty atmosphere online."lol and piss off again. :p”
Violent games in a nasty atmosphere? And he doesn’t leave often because it hurts the game?

This is from a newspaper article regarding Harris sexual harassment complaint.

“Throughout the next few days, Harris returned to Smartt’s chambers and monitored any new internet activity. At some point during this time, Harris took digital photographs of the temporary internet files on Smartt’s computer that recorded website access beginning in August 2000”.

This is a statement from online Sam
“I think you would find that Montana is one of teh strongest states in teh union for personal rights. Our right to privacy is far stronger than your federal rights. However, we don't tolerate BS that serves no other purpose than sticking it to someone else.”
Hmm. Right to privacy? I wonder how online Sam would feel about Sam Harris’ actions?

Well, here is a tidbit from just the other day. I find myself agreeing with several of the points he makes. He is talking about Clinton.

9-26-2006 “I want honor in my president. I don't mind if the bus driver is getting a blow job under the table, but I don't want that out of my president. And I damn sure don't want a president that lies about it. When I screw up, I admit it. I put it in black and white in plain english. Period. I would never disrespect my own office by lying. And I cannot respect any official, especially the highest official, that lies.”

He comes back later to clarify.
9-26-06
"Sam says character counts.The leader that will lie to the one he loves most, betray the one he loves most, and cheat the one he loves most, clearly puts his own short-term gratification above the well-being of the one he loves the most. As a leader, I expect him to put the citizens' needs above his own. A man who would betray his wife in this fashion, certainly will not put my needs above his. He will act for my good when it happens to be consistent with what is necessary for his good. When those two diverge, he will choose his own good over mine. A public servant must choose the public good over his personal needs. I believe that the president's sex life is my business for that reason.
It reflects on his character. Also, he did not just lie. He lied under oath. He violated his ethics as an attorney.
This is UNACCEPTABLE in Samworld. This is not an ordinary lie."

Yep, character counts. I’ll agree with that.

Well I asked,

2006-09-29T13:47:00.000-06:00

and some of you answered. I appreciate all the responses to my last post.
I don't think we expect our leaders to be lily white, we expect them to hold our values, and Live by them. I would hazard a guess that often it is some form of the media that really gets the public in an uproar about the actions of those in power. Because that is how the general public gets information.
Is blogging a form of the media?
I know for a fact that someone from the Great Falls Tribune has been reading here... from some of the comments on GeeGuys site, I believe there are many people that have knowedge of some of the more, ah, unsavory aspects of certain politics in our little town. But I did not know.
I am disapointed.
If I didn't blog I would not know what I know now.

I feel I should post something..

2006-09-26T13:16:00.000-06:00

but I am drawing a blank as to what.
A picture was suggested by one fellow, but he also recently made a comment as to the pictures I have posted in the past, so.

You have probably all noticed the story over at Electric City Weblog. GeeGuy keeps throwing credit my way, so I thought I should post something. First off, keep reading. It gets way better!

This whole deal, and the politics that surround us as election time draws near, have made me think about the scrutiny our public officials are under. Living under a microscope as it were, every action examined for it's adherence to what is considered right and proper.
So what is your opinion.

Should our public officials be held to a higher moral and ethical standard than the common man?
Or should we just figure that they are human, and have flaws?

Well.

2006-09-22T09:24:00.000-06:00

Despite having plenty of things to do, I am not doing them. I am sitting here to share a tale with all of you.
On Wednesday night a 12 year old boy went to the park with a friend. He was suposed to be home around 7:30. At approximately 7:45 his mother got a call from the police dept. that he had been bitten by a dog, but had refused medical care, so no official presence was dispatched to the scene. The concerned mother asked where her son was, and where this had happened, but was told that dispatch did not know. Near his home the boy had said. So she jumped in her car and went looking for him. When the boy was located, he was fairly shaken up, and told his mother, in a confused and sporadic way, of riding his skateboard down the street, seeing the dog, being attacked and knocked off the board, getting up, knocked down again, and bitten. People heard his yells and came to help, catching the dog, calling the authorities etc. He was just leaving the place this had happened.
Mother and son went home, cleaned the wound, called the ER for advice on treatment, and then returned to the scene to make sure the dog was going to remain incarcerated until Animal Control picked it up.
After a conversation with the people who had custody of the dog, the mother, having a suspicious nature, called back to dispatch to confirm what she had been told, and found that yes, the story checked out, and everyone was aware of where the dog was.
A quick trip for ice cream -medicinal, to calm the nerves- mother and child returned home, and life continued it's journey forward.
Everyone is doing well, the young man is sore, but not too traumatized, the dog and owner are paying the price for the sad series of events. However, the mother is still a bit upset by something in this story.
Can you figure out why she is upset?

I have not been my self lately

2006-09-19T20:40:00.000-06:00

But I don't know who I've been.

TSJ has a hot and heavy discussion going on. We also seem to have a relatively new blogger who chose to jump in with both feet. Interesting.
While I can appreciate and sympathize with the police officers and residents who have to live with this problem, I cannot condone the way they have chosen to combat it. They appear to have no problem punishing, in effect, the entire city for the crimes of a few.
Perhaps it might be better to target these people and their actions instead of the industry and the stores?
Is there an ordinance in this city concerning panhandeling? Is there a policy concerning vagrants? Is there a policy concerning public intoxication?
I respectfully submit that these are problems that need to be addressed, before making an attempt at changing the way every convienence store, grocery store and beer distributor do their business. If I want to buy a single beer, the actions of someone else should not force me to buy a six pack.
If I get drunk (on one beer!) and run down the street naked, screaming obsenities, and breaking out windows with a baseball bat, I would expect to go to jail. I would have committed a crime you see, and should be punished. But buying one beer is not a crime, so why should it affect my life?

Choices

2006-09-18T12:54:00.000-06:00

I generally dislike conflict. But at times it is unavoidable. I have a habit of second guessing myself, and often I am full of doubt. I overthink things and end up doing nothing as a result, or take the easy way, so it is easier on others. I think of things that make me happy, and those that make me sad, and try to find a medium I can live with. But when am I more important than those around me? Where is the line, and how do I find it. When is it time to say enough, when it impacts so much more than just me?

2006-09-15T19:03:00.000-06:00

Another Friday night.

My girl has been lovin' school! She is kinda shy, but her teacher is great, and she is really starting to get with it. I talk to the teacher every day, and get the lowdown on what's up. She is EXCITED about homework!
My boy is very outgoing, always in the middle of everything. (Like the group of kids that talk to much in class!) I ask how his day was, then I ask if he got in trouble. Good so far this year. He has never actually done anything bad, just boy stuff. Then they give them these "reteaching " things to fill out.
What did you do wrong? talked to much.
Why was this wrong? the teacher didn't like it.
What will you do next time to avoid filling out this stupid form? not get caught.
Yeah, that works.
Screw around in class and you get to face Pissed off DAD! Hey, that really does work!

By the time I started school, I could get decent grades without actually studying, so I didn't. Except for math, hated that. Junior History the teacher got mad at me I was so far ahead in the textbook. Loved history. I was scared of foreign languages though, so I got out of that whole thing. I took enough other electives they didn't push it. Now I think about it, and I wish I had actually made an effort in school. And gone to college... And stuff. But I didn't.
Oh well! Hindsight and all that.

Casinos

2006-09-14T13:05:00.000-06:00

are EVIL! They pull normal people, good and virtious, in off the streets, strip them of their money, and morals, their common decency and free will, and spit them out the exit, bereft of morality, with nothing but a life of crime, drugs and degradation left before them. The flames of hell are fueled by casino signs. Lets ban them!

Pawn shops are evil. They fuel the thirst that is quenched at the keno machines, their only purpose to take the possessions of those that have no other place to turn. They multiply, for no other reason than to support the decadent lifestyle of gamblers.

Fast food restaurants? Obesity is an epidemic in this country. People cannot be allowed to live like this! We must do something! Big tobacco is forcing people to smoke, using underhanded tacticts to influence the ignorant and illiterate, because who else would not know smoking can kill you! You cannot put that store there, someone may not like it! You cannot use those words, someone may get insulted! We cannot allow this free enterprise, freedom of choice, personal responsibility claptrap to continue, our citizens are obviously not able to determine right and wrong for themselves, cannot take responsibility for themselves. Let's legislate, regulate, hand over all choice to the government, it will take care of us!

There is an image in my mind, of Utopia, a perfect place, where every man is equal, and has no more and no less than his neighbor. I can almost make it out, a hazy image, a memory behind a misty gray curtain...

Just getting around to this..

2006-09-12T10:30:00.000-06:00

Well, I didn't make it to Blues and Brews. I was stressed out, tired of my life, and just wanted to get out of the house and not think about anything for a while.
So I called a girl I know, and asked if she wanted to go listen to some music, drink a few beers and unwind, since I know her life is a lot like mine. Two girls, goin' out. Well, then my sister called, she was coming to town. So she is going too, which is fine, I kinda like her. Then the other sister wants to go to, since we hardly ever do anything together. O.K. So now we have four women. Mercy.
Well, none of us have a whole lot of money, and we were not sure if B&B was gonna be the thing, so after many phone calls (where do you want to go? I dunno, where do you want to go?? I don't care, this isn't a big deal, make up your frikkin mind!) I was like, let's just start hitting bars with live music till we find something decent!
So the first place we went was pretty bad. The band did NO sound check, were blowing fuses in equipment before the first song was over, and then the half decent female singer sat down so the male bass player could sing a Patsy Cline song! I was so outta there. Luckily, the others agreed.
The next place was a bar I used to go to in that other life, you know, before I had kids and stuff. Sister #2 had heard that it was a thrash metal band, so we didn't figure on staying long. But that band was tearing down when we got there, and the next one was pretty good. Very good mix of music, competent singer, good guitars, etc.
I got to see a whole new side to my friend, which was cool, she turned out to be alot of fun! The sisters had to go about midnight, they were worried about turning into pumpkins or something.
Ended up getting to know the band, which is always cool, dancing a bit, drinking to much, and getting to bed way too late. Then, after about 3.5 hours of sleep I, like a dumbass, got up and spent the day on the boat. The hangover did not go away, it just rolled over into Sunday!
But it was fun. I may have the urge to do it again. Someday.

Cool

2006-09-11T18:57:00.000-06:00

The Harley Run for 9/11 just went by.
Awesomely cool.
Just thought I would share that.

9-11

2006-09-11T07:52:00.000-06:00

I was running a little late getting the boy to school, and I was still moving slow from the C-section. The Other Half was out of the house by 7:15 and I didn’t have the T.V. on, so I was unaware of anything until after I dropped my son off and was on the way home. Flipping through the radio stations, I heard a news reporter, and the first thing I noticed was the real emotion in his voice, it made me listen.
It made me hear that a plane had just crashed into a building in New York. Still on maternity leave, I was back at home to see the T.V. coverage, reporters near tears, devastating carnage and pain as the towers fell and crushed a nation. I was filled with horror, and grief and a deep rage that anyone would dare do this to us. I cuddled my baby girl and cried for all the pain and sorrow in the world that beautiful morning. My husband called, furious, filled with the urge to do something, anything, frustrated that he was powerless to strike back in the face of this affront to our country.
I watched the towers fall, and people die, and live, heard of the plane that crashed in that empty field. I grieved for those that died there, but rejoiced that there were people that took action, refused to give in and died for the lives of strangers.
I saw a plane crash into the Pentagon, and the grief and fury grew. I watched heroes rise and fall, ordinary men and women doing what needed to be done, with the strength of their pride in this country and love of life bearing them through the pain and fear of that dark day.
I watched the sun set over the rubble of two buildings, battered and burning, hunched over the crumpled bodies of people who never saw the hate and insanity flying out of the blue skies that day.

And the Flag flew, and Freedom did not die.

The pain and the rage are cushioned by time, but the empty places in so many lives will never be filled. For all the children who lost fathers and mothers, for all those who lost sisters, brothers, friends, for the brave men and women who gave their lives that day We Must Never Forget.

PSA

2006-09-08T15:58:00.000-06:00

As most of you know, B & B loan and rental was destroyed by fire on Sept 6th.
However after a hectic couple of days, they are now open at 201 2nd ave S., the old E-Z rent building.

That is all.

Just wondering...

2006-09-07T17:14:00.000-06:00

Is anybody going to Blues and Brews? Should be pretty good this year.

Of mice and men

2006-09-06T20:21:00.000-06:00

I was thinking about how women hate mice. Well, except me. But is it really just women? Are girls allowed to scream, and jump on the chair, just because they are girls? How many men out there would scream Eeeekkkk! And run, if it was considered OK for men to be scared of mice?
Is this something that has evolved over time, like the ability to walk in high heels? The manly man protects the woman, saves her from the tiny furry creature, (that is bent on ravaging her toes, and other lower portions?) and has her everlasting gratitude. They probably fall in love and live happily ever after.
But if he said Crap, a mouse, deal with it yourself, I’m going to get a beer, I hate those little bastards more than you, all his friends would all laugh, and make fun, and he would end up a sad, lonely, old man, with no children and no one to love him.
So he knows he must take care of the damn mouse.
Just for the record, there is a special breed out there, the men that can admit to being afraid of mice, or spiders, but have so many other redeeming manly qualities that they can still function. However, they only actually admit this fear to women, so when said women inevitably bring it up in conversation they can act patronizing, and lead the other men to believe they only say such things to get laid, and make the girls feel better…

What say you? Any opinions?

2006-09-06T19:19:00.000-06:00

So to whomever recommended the Alice White merlot- Thank you.
Very nice. Full rich flavor. Very little of the mouth puckering dryness, which I quite disprove of in my wine.

2006-09-05T13:16:00.001-06:00

Damn, had another picture, but Blogger is giving me crap. Maybe later.

Say what?

2006-09-05T12:43:00.000-06:00

So I got this in one of my less secret E-mail addresses.

Dear Ms. Firefly,

Thank you for your supportive comments regarding the development of American oil and gas resources. It is a pleasure to hear from you.

What comments? How did you hear from me? I have never e-mailed any political entity.

Like you, I believe it is vital to increase and diversify our domestic production to include the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and our American-owned offshore assets. Developing these American-owned resources will strengthen our economy and energy security while protecting consumer's pocketbooks. ANWR is one part of a comprehensive national energy policy that will strengthen our overall national security and energy independence. Energy development in ANWR will boost North Slope oil production, lower oil prices, and create many jobs in Alaska and elsewhere in the United States .

Like me? Now you are agreeing with an e-mail from me that I never sent, telling you things I may not agree with?

On August 1, 2006, I voted for and the Senate passed S. 3711, a bill to enhance the energy independence and security of the United States by providing for exploration, development, and production activities for mineral resources in the Gulf of Mexico, by a vote of 71-25. This bill provides for opening more than 8.3 million acres of American-owned territory in the Gulf of Mexico for oil and gas leasing, while maintaining a 125-mile buffer zone in waters around the Florida coast. As you are well aware, the prices of oil and natural gas have skyrocketed over the past few years. It is estimated that 1.26 billion barrels of oil and 5.8 trillion cubic feet of natural gas may be domestically recovered from this area. Opening up this area to domestic energy development would directly increase available U.S. energy supplies, which would reduce foreign and domestic energy prices. This bill will now go to a joint House-Senate conference committee to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate passed versions.

Uh, so how soon is the price of gas going down?

Thanks again for contacting me. Please do not hesitate to contact my office with any other questions or concerns that you may have.

I didn't contact you! But now I will! Your office will hear my concerns about unsolicited political e-mails telling me I agree with things I may not agree with!

Sincerely,Conrad BurnsUnited States Senator*DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE. For future correspondence please refer please refer to my website at http://burns.senate.gov/contact*If you would like periodic email updates on important issues for Montana, please sign up for my newsletter at http://burns.senate.gov/newsletter to my website at http://burns.senate.gov/contact

And I will damn well reply to this damn message if I damn well want to. Putting it in all caps doesn't scare me!
And don't you dare put me on your e-mail list, even though I'm probably already paying for that, like the nice flyers you send in the mail, that say right on them "payed for with taxpayer money."