Following the recent approval by the Ravalli County Commissioners of the Legacy Ranch subdivision (town), I have read several complaining letters.
I’m confused. As I recall, the previous commission was laying the groundwork for some controls on development, in other words, planning. The word “plan” seems to be a four-letter word in Ravalli County. Or, if not that, at least a “government conspiracy to take away our rights.” Rejecting this, the voters of Ravalli County turned out these commissioners at the ballot box, replacing them with the current crop. Then, in the last election, reaffirmed their choice by electing them again.
The approval of large subdivisions without regard to adjoining property owners should not have come as a surprise. The commissioners’ political philosophies have always been known to anyone taking the time to listen. The voters of Ravalli County have exactly what they have voted for. In a democracy, voters deserve the government they have. After all, they chose it.
Some sayings come to mind, “Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.” Well, Ravalli County voters have been fooled twice, now. Also, “Insanity is doing the same thing over again, and expecting a different result.”
If we want different results, we better elect new commissioners. If we approve of mega-developments with no regard for those that live adjacently, then the current commissioners deserve re-election. If we desire to sacrifice our quality of life to line the pockets of rich developers and pay the increased taxes that result, then the current commissioners are again our choice.
I could be smug in saying that I never voted for the current commissioners and that I told you so. But, what would that accomplish? We have to learn from our mistakes and move on, starting with the next election!
Mike Koeppen
Florence