Article published Feb 22, 2008

Citizens invite

Citizens for Clean Energy is conducting a countywide petition drive against a zone change that would permit an old-technology coal plant to be placed in the heart of prime farmland. Many exasperated citizens want to register their displeasure with Commissioners Lance Olson and Joe Briggs, who voted for the rezoning of agricultural lands to heavy industrial. (Thank you Commissioner Peggy Beltrone for placing the concerns of your constituents above the propaganda of the coal plant developer).

The assertion that the Urquhart property, in and of itself, constitutes a "district" sounds questionable at best. This effectively leaves the Urquharts as the only individuals able to protest this zoning change. This situation only invites litigation.

People are asking what they can do to object to the zone change during the formal protest period, which ends on March 3. Because of the very short time frame, we want to inform citizens how they can readily participate in this process by accessing our website. Copies of the petition and/or individual protest letter can be downloaded atwww.cce-mt.org.

Citizens for Clean Energy formed as an all-volunteer grassroots organization in order to oppose the Highwood coal plant and promote cleaner alternatives. Please join us by attending one of our meetings (visit our website for time and place) or by attending our fundraiser dinner and auction on Feb. 28. Call 771-0631 for more details and tickets.

— Jeff Monheim, Great Falls