Article published Feb 22, 2008

HGS betrayal

We were betrayed by the commissioners! I read the 12 steps and found the decision is outright spot zoning. Special acknowledgement (conflict of interest on the planning board vote) goes to Mr. Webber of FIB for your duplicity in this matter without which this decision would not have been possible. The testimony of the Urquhart neighbors (100 percent of them) made it clear they don't want to give up their land to a coal plant and are filing lawsuits against the Urquharts and SME.

Of the city and county commissioners there seems to be only two that understand what their job is, Mary Jolly and Peggy Beltrone! Mr. Bronson has picked up the rubber stamp, dutifully following the other inept commissioners. What don't these guys get about representing the people of Great Falls? This rezoning opens the gates to new business such as pig farms or coal plants on formally pristine wheat fields. This proposed coal plant and coal to liquid plant will change forever the venue of Great Falls. The coal plant will bring in coal trains of no less than 100 cars once or twice a week; the coal to liquid plant will have two trains a day! The water from the Missouri River will be exhausted and polluted by these plants. Gone will be fishing and boats on the river. Not long after will follow the sport hunting. This must be what the buffalo felt like as they were driven over the cliffs of buffalo jump.

Speak up people!

— Michael DiMauro, Great Falls