by Travis Mateer

A recent article by Martin “Gomer” Kidston focuses on something that COULD happen. Here is the opening paragraph (emphasis mine):

With the new Missoula Public Library now fully open, the city could turn its focus toward redeveloping the old library block, which it received as a gift from a local philanthropist before the pandemic hit.

Why is Gomer reporting on something that COULD happen? Is this “article” an attempt to help developers metaphorically prepare the ground for a project they are anticipating public pushback over?

While I don’t know the answers to those questions, the use of the word “could” is very curious to me. Gomer even uses it in the next paragraph to describe this non-story story:

While details are sparse and the city hasn’t released any information about its plans for the property, it could begin to explore its options this summer, marking headway in a project that’s been discussed now for several years.

So, nothing about this project is actually happening, but that doesn’t seem to be stopping Gomer from anticipating something happening. Amazing.

And remember, this is the “reporter” who COULD NOT find the space on his digital rag to report on the black man who was shot twice in the back by a Missoula County Sheriff Deputy.

No, it’s more important to provide space for the director of the Missoula Redevelopment Agency, Ellen Buchanan, to discuss her metaphorical burners and how this project COULD move to her front one.

“We’ve been talking internally about pulling that up on the front burner,” said Ellen Buchanan, director of the Missoula Redevelopment Agency. “I’m not sure how we’re going to manage that, capacity wise, but we need to start that process.”

Yes, that’s right, a process that hasn’t even started yet is being reported on by Gomer like it’s news. But it’s not news, it’s development propaganda, and no one is better at peddling development propaganda like Missoula’s Martin “Gomer” Kidston.

Thanks for reading, and stay tuned. This week is gonna be a big one.