by Travis Mateer
One of my local sources of information is a Facebook group called Let’s Improve Reserve Street. Here is how this modest citizen effort to provide information is described by its creator:
This open, public, and engaging community page is an evolving project using social media to bring more attention to smart growth opportunities in Missoula.
While I despise Facebook, I find myself going to pages like this one more often because I simply can’t find the analysis and commentary on local issues anywhere else. And the commentary can be VERY interesting, sometimes adding so much context the comments themselves become the story.
I don’t think a recent comment by Dax Keuhn rises to THAT level, but I do think it’s helpful to examine who is coming out of the woodworks to say STOP TALKING ABOUT THAT.
Yesterday, in my open letter to Daniel Carlino, I essentially warned him that overt collaboration with a person like me will more than likely result in guilt by association smears on his character. I don’t say that to DISSUADE Daniel from doing what he can to stop the TIF madness, but to let him know what he’s getting into.
Me, I give ZERO FUCKS about loudly proclaiming how truly impressed I am that GREAT LEADER commands such a fervent following from GREAT supporters of GREAT things, like art. Brian and Karen Sippy, the owners of the Radius Gallery downtown, are first in mind when I think of how political contributions can lead to GREAT things.
Before getting to that greatness, here’s a screen shot of Brian’s political lubricant:
And here’s Karen’s:
Now, to understand exactly WHAT can be accomplished when properly lubricated, here’s the “reporting” on the sweet TIF this couple received after making these contributions:
A dated building in downtown Missoula will get a face lift and a new facade that hearkens back to the 1930s and an old art dealer that occupied the block before it was destroyed by fire.
Brian and Karen Sippy of Apple Lane LLC, and the owners and developers of the new building that now houses the Radius Gallery, plan to begin the $2.4 million project this year.
Last week, they received $94,000 in assistance from the Missoula Redevelopment Agency to fund deconstruction and make improvements to the public right-of-way in conjunction with the project. The funding is authorized under state law and meets the goals of Missoula’s Downtown Master Plan.
It’s moves like this, benefiting politically-connected couples like this one, that makes me think the TIF tool needs to be totally and 100% ABOLISHED.
But that’s just me. You out there reading this have a stake in what’s happening as well. What can YOU do to help?
One thing that’s very easy to do, if you have the capacity, is GIVE ME SOME MONEY! I’m currently recouping the cost of making Engen’s Missoula and every little bit helps.
Beyond helping me play the money game, just caring enough to read outside the corporate control grid is GREATLY appreciated by me, so thank you, and stay tuned for more!
JC
When I see your comment on the Radius Gallery owners, I can’t help but think of the story that broke yesterday on Mayor Pete Buttigieg giving over $30 million in city contracts to donors to his mayoral campaign. This kind of corruption has been going on with Dems all over this country for decades. GOP ain’t any better, and it shows absolutely no signs of changing.
In regard to the documentary, it’s not ready. I watched the first 45 minutes of it and could tell that. It needs a heavy edit. I mean…3 hours? Professional, Hollywood award-winning docs aren’t that long. I heard from an editor downtown that the Roxy wouldn’t show it because of that reason – too long, not ready, needs editing. Thanks.
Ha, there’s lots of rumors being floated around, apparently, about why the Roxy wouldn’t show it, including depictions of me yelling at the woman who waited until a Friday to inform me my contract was refunded due to “over-booking”. I WAS indeed frustrated when I finally spoke with her on Monday, because I had incurred the cost of express-shipping cards for the event.
Sorry you don’t have the stamina for a long-form docu-series, Greg. Do you have any plans to get back to writing, or have you given up on that?
This comment has been removed due to the slanderous nature of the comment and the use of someone else’s name to issue the comment.
Wow, the organizer of the freedom rally, ladies and gentleman. https://www.kpax.com/news/western-montana-news/bitterroot-rallies-with-freedom-convoy-in-protest-of-covid-mandates?_amp=true
I just spoke with the REAL David Bethman, and whoever made this comment is NOT him.
Since the (supposedly slanderous) comment has been removed and I cannot read it, I will say nothing about it.
That being said, I am acquainted with and have worked with David Bethman for some time. I believe he is a man of exemplary character, moral standing, and good will who treats other people the way he should. I simply cannot imagine him diving to the level of slander.
Of course, I could be wrong, but until I actually see something in print or hear something audibly, I will give him the benefit of doubt. Until evidence is produced which proves otherwise, David (and his wife) will be close associates.
Roger, it wasn’t David who made the comment. Someone used his name to make it appear that way.
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