In the 21 months since the 2020 election, we have seen a breakdown in the longstanding consensus that election administration belongs in the hands of professional, dispassionate experts, and that naked political interference in vote counting is anathema to a functioning democracy. Greg Palast, voter suppression expert, says the data shows that 16 million people will have their votes purged, unless they keep their registration confirmed. Sign up for our newsletter and get the best of the Beacon delivered every day to your inbox. It is open nightly from October until April. The move to close the gazebo seems hasty, at the least. Flathead County Commissioners Brad Abell and Randy Brodehl pay tribute to the passing memorial. Vote suppression has a long and ugly history in the U.S., and over the last two decades, it has resurfaced with a vengeance. Who is in charge of the police? The area in Kalispell that would be redistricted covers 332 acres. Residents of the Whitefish Hills Village subdivision out against utilizing their roads, arguing that as privately maintained roads, they did not qualify as publicly accessible roadways. Since democracy is about consent of the governed, it's important that ALL of the governed who are affected by that government get a right to vote on those who govern them. Some states have independent redistricting commissions with the aim of ending partisan gerrymandering, Arizona, California, Michigan, Colorado, and others. Its not difficult to check your records. Not all legislation becomes law. The county expects an annual revenue of at least $109.6 million. Sign up for our newsletter and get the best of the Beacon delivered every day to your inbox. Or whether theres even a right to vote at all. Just like Washington D.C., your state government has a legislature, too. I launched this site to fight his attack on democracy. Make no mistake, it is a lifestyle choice for some. County commissioners held two public. The County Commission is the executive as well as the legislative branch for Flathead County. Our goal is to make it as easy as possible to reach elected officials in your city, county and state, and in the federal government. Now in archive mode, the blog features essays and videos by managing editor Bill Moyers, as well as the perspectives of other journalists, scholars, activists, and creative men and women in the arts and sciences. Once laws are passed, then it is up to administrative agencies to carry them out. Many states offer online ballot tracking systems, others require contacting election officials. Opens in a new tab. That starts with confirming that your voter registration is current, up to date, and accurate, so that your vote will be counted in the 2022 midterm elections and the elections going forward. Horn said she hopes the community can come together to find solutions to the issues that lead to homelessness. The most reliable way to State | The commissioners considered it an either, or decision for requiring access from one location versus the other and opted to send the agenda item back to the planning board, since changing the subdivision access to the south would be a substantive change to the application. There is only one person to vote for in many of the races and that typically means that is the person you must vote for, but this year, you have the option to write-in another candidate but only for the county commissioner's seat. The Flathead Beacon. I recognized him as a threat to democracy from the moment i heard him speak. Counties tend to have rules about what you can and cannot build, and building codes generally. As we head into the 2022 midterm elections, democracy has never been more under threat. Voters should be aware that there is a write-in candidate option for Flathead County Commissioner. The county received $10 million in ARPA funding that is expected to provide base funding for the septage facility construction, as well as another $2 million in ARPA money from the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation to be used for other county-wide water and sewer infrastructure projects. Will Democracy Survive As Trumpism Take Over the GOP? DISCLAIMER: No endorsement is intended or made of any hypertext link, product, service, or information either by its inclusion or exclusion from this page or site. ChatGPT 4.0 & Legal Research *Beta v.0.8*, How to Check the Status of Your Mail In Vote in Montana, Government Agencies Promoting Economic Development, Directory of Government Representatives |, Census Response rate for Flathead County, MT, Montana Cities Online (U.S. Conference of Mayors), Library of Congress Local Government listings for Montana, List of Flathead County Elected Officials, Flathead County Business Development Agency, Flathead County Planning and Zoning Department, find your representative for the 59901 zip code, How to Confirm or Update Your Voter Registration in Montana, Was My Vote Counted? Each of the three commissioner districts will have about 34,800 constituents. Local governing bodies may go by different names, but they have one function in common: to be the people's eyes and ears in government. Nextdoor Account of the Commissioners' Office. Mussman told the commissioners there had been no contact with consultants over the actual plans to remove the bridge. Because of extensive gerrymandering and other reasons, reliable information about congressional districts for the 116th Congress, which started January 3, 2019, is hard to come by. In Flathead County, we didn't have any Democrats or Independents run for county commissioner. copyright 2023 We can't let those in power ignore the result of elections, for example. The Kalispell City Council is expected to hold a hearing on the issue on Monday. Social Media. The maps are in and redistricting is underway. Each state's constitution and laws define the qualifications candidates must meet in order to run for office. Newest Commissioner Agenda How may we serve you today? Please reload the page and try again. We are serving our neighbors who have lived here for a long time, and I think the commissioners would have actually learned that if they had talked to us, Horn said, adding that the commissioners have never taken her up on her offer to visit the facility. Flathead Irrigation DistrictHomepage photograph by: Lisa Reid Kettelkamp For example, the house of representatives might be called an assembly in certain states. Commissioners discuss North Fork Road easement, North Shore bridge removal, Baker 80 subdivision. Daily Inter Lake | February 24, 2023 12:00 AM Eight candidates are running for seven open seats on an advisory council in Lakeside resurrected by popular demand in part because of a controversial. The trustees are recommending that current board member Jane Wheeler be. Redistricting can either strengthen or weaken the power of a party in the state overall. Instagram of the Commissioners' Office. While all attempts are made to insure the correctness and suitability of information under our control and to correct any errors brought to our attention, no representation or guarantee can be made as to the correctness or suitability of that information or any linked information presented, referenced, or implied. While the commissioners may not support the work done by local shelters, vilifying those assisting their neighbors in a time of need speaks to an uncalled for level of animosity. The Flathead County commissioners at their Oct. 6 and 8 meetings focused much of their time on several road projects within the county. copyright 2023 The county projects it will have 22.6% in cash reserves in funds supported by property tax dollars, less than the 33% allowed by state law. PRESERVE and EXERCISE your right to VOTE, and have your vote counted!!! All Sections Fallon files as write-in for commission seat Flathead County Commissioner candidate Jack Fallon on Thursday, May 5. This is a chronicle of todays political landscape, but because you cant get a grip on todays politics without an outline of Americas Constitution, and laws, and the economy, and social customs, this newsletter explores what it means, and what it has meant, to be an American. On Thursday, the Flathead County Commissioners published a letter blaming unhoused people and the agencies that help them for the current crisis with affordable and workforce housing in the Flathead Valley. 406-755-7000. Fallon, 68, was narrowly defeated by incumbent Pam Holmquist in the Republican primary in June. 9:30 AM Welcome, Introductions, Confirm Quorum . VIRTUAL ZOOM MEETING . Hence, this is how we get "civilized". The FTC is a bipartisan federal agency with a unique dual mission to protect consumers and promote competition. People experiencing homelessness, advocates and many service providers say the sweeps cause distress and harm to an already-vulnerable community and make it difficult to provide basic needs such as clean drinking water and medical care. Terms of Use | The area in Whitefish that would be redistricted covers 1,772 acres. ARTICLE II - Object The City-County Board of Health shall exercise general supervisionis granted certain powers and duties that guide the operation of over the City-County Health Department. Horn said some of the people who come to the Flathead Warming Center are suffering from mental health issues and drug addiction. Flathead County Planning and Zoning Director Mark Mussman updated the commissioners Oct. 8 on the status of the controversial north shore bridge. The issue of homelessness in Kalispell has apparently come to a head in recent weeks. Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. Regulations are details about the laws that legislators have made. More by Justin Franz. reach elected officials in your city, county and state, and in the federal government. Flathead Municipal Airport Authority (FMAA) is the owner and operator of Glacier Park International Airport. A society where we share responsibility for strengthening community and country by reckoning with our past, and recommitting to each other. Who Are Your State Representatives in Montanas Legislature? It's not always the easiest road to take, but the North Fork is full of adventure, We need some dam water: One farmer estimates more than $350,000 worth of crops are in jeopardy, while another said one-fifth of his are likely to be lost if nothing changes. The IRS is one such agency. Former congressional staffers offer best practices for making Congress listen. After a recount in July, Holmquists vote tally topped Fallons by 40 votes, 7,520 to 7,480. Montana is number one at many good things, but not all titles are good. FLATHEAD BASIN COMMISSION 10/06/22 Meeting Agenda I. A 4% salary increase will apply to the Clerk of the District Court, Treasurer/Assessor, Justices of the Peace, Clerk/Recorder/Surveyor, County Commissioners, Sheriff/Coroner, and Superintendent of Schools. Several organizations have developed materials that may be helpful to mayors and other city officials and we are posting them here. To start, go to Can I Vote and select Montana. Organizations that track Personal Finance. Over the course of 2021 and into 2022, state legislatures have embarked on a sweeping campaign to propose, consider, and, in some cases, enact measures that increase the risk of election subversionthat is, the risk that an elections declared outcome does not reflect the choice of the voters. Local | This map shows new political districts proposed by the Flathead County commissioners based on population figures from the 2020 Census. DRAFT 7/8/20 Minutes. Gerrymandering is the practice of taking this to an extreme. Voters who would like to turn in ballots prior to Election Day can mail them in or drop them off at the Flathead County Elections Office. According to the preliminary plat documents, access to the subdivision is proposed from Whitefish Village Drive via Prairie View Road to the north of the property. Meanwhile, the structures will sit behind netting and no trespassing signs. The approximately $35,000 will come from the road department budget, and will be able to go towards the matching funds for the FLAP project. A list of independent groups committed to resisting Trump's agenda, focusing on local, defensive congressional advocacy, and embracing progressive values. The recount made Holmquist the presumptive winner in the general election, as no Democrats filed for the position. That is not proper the role of the government. The problem is made worse, she added, because there are few resources for those people in the community. These agencies are charged with writing "regulations". It's bound by U.S. 93 to the west, Whitefish Stage Road to the east and a jagged line to the north around 18th Street East and Haven Drive. No shouting. In 2016, Flathead County joined with federal partners to rehabilitate the upper stretches of the North Fork Road. But while a county road easement exists there, the road is not fully constructed and would require approximately 3,000 feet of new construction as opposed to roughly 100 feet if Whitefish Village Drive were utilized. If you disagree, here's what you should know. Dugan said he is especially worried the commissioners letter could result in acts of violence against homeless people. Some organization is necessary to make and coordinate roads, water systems, sewers, libraries, schools, public transit, public safety. And so we give up some liberty, pay taxes, and assessments, etc. The house of "Representatives" and "Senators" or "State Assembly" are the people's representatives, who ultimately vote on making laws, etc. Time is quickly running out for any kind of bridge removal during low water in 2021.. And therefore, the only legitimate form of government, is one where those "endowed with Liberty" that God gave them, give up some of that liberty to be controlled (i.e. The northern edge would be near Blanchard Lake Road. But more than anything, he said, it showed that the county commissioners are not interested in addressing one of the Flatheads biggest challenges. Republicans who think that conservative white evangelical so-called "Christianity" is the only true religion must be defeated. Nov. 6, 2020 Updated Fri., Nov. 6, 2020 at 10:42 p.m. By Kianna Gardner Daily Inter Lake (Kalispell, Mont.) Here are our favorites. Unlike what the commissioners letter suggested, Horn said, most people who stay at the shelter are from the Flathead Valley. Originally from Maine, he is a graduate of the University of Montana's School of Journalism and worked for the Flathead Beacon for nine years. Republicans are also enemies of personal freedom. We are gradually filling in data for the largest cites and counties in the country and are working to expand our body of detailed county and city information as the months go by. Flathead County commissioners last week sent a clear message that homeless individuals are not welcome in our community, while also imploring other elected officials to not aid those who look to serve these individuals. You've heard the old joke about laws and sausages -- that you don't want to know how they're made? Opens in a new tab. Meetings are held . Nor did Abell, Brodehl or Holmquist respond to an email from Montana Free Press asking for their evidence. Some local businesses have even offered to house employees. It is critical that informed consumers hold their elected officials accountable. is to click here Indeed, in the this term of the Supreme Court, the Court will hear a case on whether State Legislatures have absolute unfettered right to to create arbitrary rules about who gets to vote and who doesnt. Here's how to update your registration so you can vote. They go so far as to claim that shelters have resulted in a dramatic increase in homelessness and ask that the community become unified in rejecting all things that empower the homeless lifestyle.. The Flathead County commissioners recently voted to deny overtime pay for seven. whether real estate development is allowed to proceed. In a press release, Fallon said that based on the primary recount only 9.7% of registered voters supported Holmquist. Renters, workers who didnt own land, could not vote. How to Run For Office and Be Politically Engaged in Montana, Flathead County, and Kalispell, Government Agencies Promoting & Tracking Economic Development, List of Senators who voted to disenfranchise voters by denying the certified result fo the 2020 election, How to Run for Office in Flathead County, MT, Civil Rights -- Legislation Tracking Organizations, Consumer Protection -- Legislation, Organizations, Government & Democracy -- Legislation, Organizations, Issues, Health Care -- Legislation, Organizations, Issues, Sharing Economy -- Legislation, Organizations, Issues, Activist Organizations in Montana and Flathead County, Children's Health Issues - Organizations and Interest Groups, Local Media and the Importance of Community Radio. 2023 Flathead Beacon, All Rights Reserved. Lake County Commissioner's Town Hall Meeting regarding Irrigation Assessment Collection. Filed Under: Meeting Agendas. Track Montanas voting legislation by using this database by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). ProPublica is an independent, nonprofit newsroom that produces investigative journalism devoted to exposing abuse of power. When Donald Trump was president, his choice to run the CFPB was a lobbyist for the payday lending industry! Democracy is our most basic governmental idea. "This is what accountability and community support looks like." Randy Brodehl represents District 3, which covers most of Kalispell and the area to the west, including Kila and Marion. An NPR Special Series linking to all their stories on how to secure your vote in the 2020 election. Write-in candidate provides unique voting opportunity for Flathead County Commissioner's seat. Local Government Offices & Meeting Agendas, Flathead County Bankruptcy Means Test Calculator, Redistricting in Montana after the 2020 Census, before and after redistricting map for Montana. Learn how you can start a community radio station. Commissioners, in a letter, claim that providing homeless infrastructure will result in more homeless individuals in our community. In Montana things work pretty much the same way but the names of the legislative bodies might be different. However, one benefit to the commissions letter, Horn said, is that the number of donations received by the Flathead Warming Center in recent days has dramatically increased. Commissioner Brad Abell represents District 1, which covers the northern portion of the county including Columbia Falls and most of Whitefish. Opens in a new tab. for the convenience of collective action (e.g. The commissioners cited the receipt of numerous complaints of an increasing and distressing problem in our valley as the reason for their call to inaction. A once under-the-radar governmental role with significant control over elections is getting a lot more attention this year. Women still could not vote. While most democracies are "representative democracies,"many states have an "initiative" process by which certain issues CAN be brought to voters for a direct vote, bypassing the normal channels of representative government. Ballotopedia has excellent redistricting resources so we won't repeat then here, except to link to information they have about Montana. By definition regulations generally are more voluminous than the laws themselves. There will also be ballot drop boxes across the county on Election Day which is on Tuesday, Nov. 8. COMPLAINTS ALSO drove a decision by Kalispell city officials last week to rope off the gazebo in Depot Park along with similar structures at Woodland Park. This series examines the systemic ways that voting rights are denied to so many Americans and how this will impact the US presidential elections. A society with healthy, responsive institutions where every person feels represented and knows how to contribute. Advocates for homeless people are pushing back. Call to Order Attendance Pledge of Allegiance Approval of Agenda Citizen Comment The 2022 elections may well determine the future of democracy in America. Since its founding in 1919, the National Parks Conservation Association has been the independent, nonpartisan voice working to strengthen and protect America's favorite places. Questions from the public and Answers from the Lake County Commissioners. In essence, they would not take a project through trespass to do the last mile and a half [but] we could start at the southern boundary of this section and just go south, Prunty said. Come check out the most The sponsored attorney advertisements on this site are paid attorney advertising. August 30, 2022, 6:00 PM at the Ronan Community Center, Ronan, Montana . It is the secular, Enlightenment era exiperiment that our founding fathers embarked upon, that the power of government should derive from "the consent of the governed" as opposed to "the devine right"from "God" that Kings had always asserted as their source of legitimate authority. I believe they should be removed from office for signing that letter. County Seat Kalispell, Email: flatheadclerkofcourt@flathead.mt.gov, State and Local Consumer Agencies in Montana (USA.gov). However, Gerth notes people cannot just write any name on the ballot. of Revenue Property Assessment Town Hall @ Hilton Garden Inn 8:45 a.m. Public comment on matters within the Commission's jurisdiction Friday, July 14, 2023 Fallon has served on the Evergreen Water and Sewer Board, the Evergreen Fire District Board and the Kalispell School District Board while volunteering with youth and adult recreation leagues. You can find the names and email addresses of our current county commissioners here. I do not believe this represents Flathead County, Fallons release stated. Ravalli County, Montana. County | One of the two major parties is run by a man who has made it clear he will refuse to accept any election results that do not declare him the winner. Help us tell stories like this one and get other great perks by joining the Editors Club for as little as $5 per month. From cracking to packing we help you understand the tools of gerrymandering and the extent to which it happens in Montana. And if that vote is not free and fair, then the legitimacy of the government itself is undermined. The silent majority showed up and voted, especially young people. Mean travel time to work (minutes), workers age 16 years+, 2017-2021: 19.4: 23.9: She is seeking a third term as a commissioner. Minutes for current and past meetings can be accessed at the Countys Web Site. Here's how to find the people who represent you in Montana. In 38 states, the secretary of state is the chief election official, a role required by federal law, often in charge of running and certifying elections of their local, state and national leaders think county-level officials, governors and state legislators, plus U.S. senators and representatives. It's bound by U.S. 93 to the west, Willow Glen Drive to the east and Hodgson Road to the south. The Board of County Commissioners is Flathead County's governing body, which consists of three commissioners elected at-large to six-year staggered terms. The internet is full of useful tools to help you navigate the next election. The DNRC gave a cost estimate for the easement between $4,000 and $5,000 per acre. And they have to write it in correctly, according to the way the person filed, Flathead County Elections Office Manager Monica Eisenzimer told MTN News. With the upcoming election, there has been much discussion about voter fraud and how much security there is in our vote. The North Fork Interlocal is a group of about 28 agency representatives from (deep breath) the Flathead National Forest, Glacier National Park, Montana FWP, Montana DNRC, Flathead County, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. He said that if elected he would advocate for pipes, plows and public safety.. Flathead County Courthouse on Main Street in Kalispell pictured May 4, 2022. Here's how to call your elected officials to let them know how you feel about the issues of the day. Flathead County Commissioner Brad Abell acknowledges falling asleep during a meeting last week on the county's plan for a regional septage facility. Which is doable, but thats two and a half miles of my worst five miles up there that we wouldnt be doing which was our biggest goal of this FLAP application.. 406-755-7000. Flathead County, Montana. The job of the legislative branch is to create laws to deal with the problems of government. Hunter D'Antuono | Flathead Beacon The Flathead County Commissioners at their Nov. 1 meeting continued a public hearing for a text. Because the stakes have never been higher. Is Montana Gerrymandered? Democracy depends on powerful advocates. European countries have faced the same kind of technological change we have, and theyre not seeing the people killing themselves with guns or drugs or alcohol, Case says. Homelessness, after all, is not a prerequisite for public alcohol consumption, littering or any other crime or public nuisance. Action is warranted here, but on the other hand the city doesnt throw up Jersey barriers when motorists fail to obey the rules of the road, a routine sight on Kalispells streets. The preliminary budget also allots pay raises for various county officials. Find out what programs serve Montana and Flathead County. Montana's independent nonprofit news source. Finding housing has become an uphill battle for many amidst the increasing cost of rent and lack of affordable housing options. . The Flathead County Commission on June 29 unanimously passed a $126.8 million preliminary expenditure budget for the 2024 fiscal year, boosting county spending by more than 10% compared to last . Meeting/ Project Name: Flathead Basin Commission . Historians are fond of saying that the past doesnt repeat itself; it rhymes. Voters who want to vote for a write-in candidate will have to blacken the oval to the left of the line provided on the ballot, and write in the namein the blank space. What Are the Laws About Poll Observers and Vote Challenges in Montana? The commissioners discussed potentially waiving permit fees in order to push the project through and get the bridge removed, but Commissioner Pam Holmquist pointed out that they did not want to set a precedent for future applications. Swing Left helps you find and support progressives in your closest swing district. As Tonya Horn, director of the Flathead Warming Center, points out, the move falls well short of addressing the underlying causes of homelessness. Public Comment regarding Resolution 21-20. Then the 15th amendment extended the vote to Black men after the civil war. Privacy Policy County Commissioner Meeting Minutes. To understand the present, we have to understand how we got here. Featured Events 11:00AM - 1:00PM All Day The 6th year of Big Sky Autofest. COMMISSIONERS' AGENDA CLICK ON BLUE MEETING DAYS FOR DETAILED INFORMATION AGENDA ITEMS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE Wednesday, July 12, 2023 3:00 p.m. BRAD/RANDY/PAM: Dept. Flathead County, MT Elected Representatives, How to Call Your Congressional Representative in Flathead County, MT. In the 1800s the Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution did not give women a right to vote by virtue of their citizenship. "governed") by a government that "the governed" (the people) create and control. Rich Janssen, CSKT (Chair) 9:40 AM ACTION: Discussion/approval of . Many times, that spare change that you give to the homeless individual standing at the intersection is used for drugs and alcohol.. The proposed mill levy for FY2024 is 145.64, a 1.2% increase from last years 143.86 mills, due to the countys decision to increase the health levy to its maximum amount. Facebook page of the Commissioners' Office. John Oliver explains why police need to be held accountable.