Month: December 2021

by Travis Mateer

Before we get to know the investor group connected to Aaron Wagner, I should put the commenter who brought this entity to my attention into context, because I think an oligarch battle might be brewing in Zoom Town.

Here’s “Cash Hoyt” using his gmail (accidentally?) to make the following comment:

I recalled the email address because Hoyt was taking a different, more tactless approach (while using a different name) when I was writing about Nick Checota’s family background.

Here’s Cash Hoyt commenting as “olbossy” in April of last year:

At the time of this comment, “olbossy” was defending Wisconsin transplant, Nick Checota. Is there some kind of relationship between these two people? I assume so, because why else would someone waste their time commenting on a blog unless they had some sort of vested interest in the person being scrutinized.

Whatever the reason, I am VERY appreciative that Hoyt drew my attention to Wags Capital because WOW, there’s so much FUN STUFF to bring attention to, like the CORE VALUES, which includes this:

The authentic investor this image is allegedly describing is Aaron Wagner, the Canadian transplant who played linebacker and wants the dinks and he/shes in Missoula to fuck off. Here’s a screen shot of this LION of a man, followed by a nice description:

Mr. Wagner is the Founder and Managing Partner of Wags Capital, a specialized small cap boutique investment firm. Mr. Wagner has a diverse background in real estate, lending, debt, and private equity/venture investment, having participated full time in the industry since 2009. Mr. Wagner is extremely diligent in his pursuit of opportunity and was able to capitalize tremendously on the last recessed market, building multiple companies that specialized in the acquisition of distressed assets, repositioning, stabilization and resale of special assets.

Mr. Wagner and his team have been intricately involved in all aspects of the business including Equity and Debt sourcing, lending, consultation, principal project development, and many other Real Estate specific roles. Mr. Wagner also led his companies to a number of large acquisitions and investments outside of the real estate sector, including successful companies in industries such as health technology, food and beverage, media, pharmaceuticals, and consumer products/e-commerce.

Yes, The Wags is into all kinds of shit, so you might be financially supporting this LION among sheep already. For example, yesterday I checked out a Wags Capital Brand that has a franchise here in Missoula and the owners I spoke with seemed like nice folks who immediately sought distance between their local franchise and the capital investors/corporate office, which is based in Utah.

I explained that I abhor cancel culture, I respect those down the food chain trying to make a living, and that my dad likes their cookies. Also, if there was actually a way to reach out to the corporate office without pretending to be interested in franchising, then I wouldn’t have had to worry these business owners about the woke mob coming to cancel them.

Speaking of cancel culture, how does the Montana Organization of Realtors feel about Aaron Wagner’s transphobic attacks? I mean, isn’t that WORSE than the “hate speech” (read: pulling out of a lunch program that pushed LGBT material on his congregation) that Pastor Brandon Huber is being punished for by the woke fascists?

To make sure Pastor Brandon’s lawyer knows about this opportunity MOR has to somehow flex for SOCIAL JUSTICE (if they want to be consistent), I gave Matthew Monforton a call. Mental note: text him a link after this posts, Travis.

If you think I’m the only one curious how MOR might react to The Wags, here’s a screenshot of a local Instagram meme account that got me thinking about this angle of the controversy:

There are SO MANY fun aspects of this unforced error on the real estate gridiron (to mix my sports metaphors) by The Wags that I have to extend a big THANK YOU to this Utah-based developer and cookie investor for a beautifully timed fuckup that will only reinvigorate the local anger that NEVER WENT AWAY after the strategic arrest of an activist and a convenient pandemic shutting out locals from criticizing their elected officials in person.

There will definitely be more to report on this controversy as it evolves, so stay tuned here for my unvarnished take and THANKS FOR READING!

by Travis Mateer

The drunk man who pulled a knife on someone AFTER being beaten by a Native woman with a golf club is perfectly juxtaposed by an article about a reflection garden being planned at Fort Missoula Regional Park.

You can’t make this shit up.

Here’s a little snap shot of the violence our community allows to simmer and explode around the Poverello Center:

At around 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, a Missoula Police Department officer responded to the Poverello Center to break up a verbal argument between a male and female. The involved parties were 35-year-old Ryan Salas and 44-year-old Tara Littlelight. The officer discovered that Salas was intoxicated and was the aggressor. Salas received a warning and was asked to leave the area for the evening.

Approximately one hour later, the officer was re-dispatched to the Poverello after Littlelight struck Salas over the head with a golf club. Upon arrival, Salas confirmed that Littlelight caused him pain by striking him over the head with a golf club after another verbal argument. Salas was still intoxicated and difficult to understand.

Hey, I know, maybe if we had A REFLECTION GARDEN this man would have a place where he could go and reflect on the resources being deployed MULTIPLE TIMES to deal with his drunk ass.

Now, here’s a little snap shot of Donna Gaulker’s vision for A REFLECTION GARDEN!

Making the pitch for this vision, County Planner Jackson Lee:

“The preferred master plan is reflective of public comments received,” said county planner Jackson Lee. “Improvements would include pickle ball and handball courts, interpretive elements, a reflection garden, and also serve as the southeast gateway to the park.”

Doesn’t that sound nice, Missoula? I bet it sounds a lot nicer than having Missoula police leave a drunk man with just a verbal request to leave the area so he can eventually threaten to cut someone’s jugular.

At 6:25 p.m. that same evening, officers responded to the Poverello Center again for another incident where a weapon was involved. A Poverello employee explained that he was casually speaking with a male when Salas become upset and interjected himself into the conversation.

Salas and the male began to argue and their conversation became heated. During the argument, Salas threatened to cut the male’s jugular and brandished a knife in his hand. The situation eventually deescalated, and Salas and the male separated. The employee said Salas put the knife in his coat pocket.

An officer located Salas and attempted to get his side of the story. Salas was heavily intoxicated and refused to converse with the officer. Salas then became angry and began yelling and spitting. Officers placed him in a spit hood and transported him to jail. Salas is currently being charged with attempted assault with a weapon.

If this seems confounding to you, that’s because you haven’t listened to episode nine of Zoom Chron, titled Crime And No Punishment.

Maybe the Gomer Kidston/Jackson Lee development pitch landed soft the first time. Here’s a further description of the amazing stuff that awaits the Fort Missoula Regional Park once funding can be secured (emphasis mine):

Lee said the plan looks to integrate the parcel as a revitalized “park within a park” offering various recreation opportunities for users, and to enhance the southeast gateway to Fort Missoula Regional Park. 

Funding for the effort is being sought, he added.

Holy shit, a PARK WITHIN A PARK? Fuck yeah, Jackson Lee, let me grab my check book!

And a golf club to defend myself, because gentrification is a real bitch.