Will Rogers was certainly rolling in his grave when last Wednesday’s edition of the Star hit the press. Mr. Richardson quoted “everybody is ignorant only on different subjects.” So true!
I know little about the BRID controversy, or Citizens for Fair Water. But I do know that since Mr. Rokosch left his position at the Commissioners’ office, he has dedicated his time to the Bitterrooters for Planning (BFP). Suing the current Commission over their approval of the Legacy subdivision — and winning, I might add. Followed by two decisions against the DEQ over septic issues, upholding Montanans’ constitutional rights to clean air and water.
So I take issue with Mr. Richardson’s claim that Mr. Rokosch has cost the County a million dollars. The suit with Morado Mountain Estates/Big Sky Development was over a variance road request by the neighboring proposed subdivisions. The court found for the developers on the variance request and remanded subdivision application and variance request back to the County Commissioners for public hearings. That December 2010 court ruling should have been the end of it. No damages were awarded. The court was clear, the solution was a rehearing of the variance request and subdivision.
Long after Jim Rokosch had left office the first and only public hearing, review and approval of the subdivision took place in July of 2011. Then for reasons never explained to the public – the developers having gotten everything they asked for including tax-payer subsidizing for road repair – the new commissioners settled the suit with Marado Mountain Estates. All five voting to award (then) $300,000.
Nearly a year later, four of the same commissioners (Foss was absent) voted to award $675,000 to Big Sky Development Group (Why? That is the million dollar question, and why you, Mr. Richardson, and others are still attempting to lay blame on the previous commission). The Bitterroot Star’s successful lawsuit brought this to light when it sued the Commission for once again breaking the open meeting laws.
To imply that Mr. Rokosch is making money with legal scams and suing on conspiracy theories is just plain ignorance. The BFP’s suits have all been ruled on by a judge, in a court of law, in protection of our Montana constitutional rights to clean air and water. These were not taken on for financial gain, but for principle. And I commend their efforts!
Mr. Richardson, if, as you stated “we Bitterrooters shoot from the hip and don’t always have our facts straight before we let our lips loose,” I think you need to get YOUR facts straight and keep your gun holstered.
“Big” Dave Smith, candidate for County Commissioner
Victor