by Travis Mateer
Best episode yet? I think it is. And one of the people I’d like to thank for inspiring this episode is award winning gentrifier, Ellen Buchanan!
Did I honor Buchanan’s contributions in this week’s review of local headlines? You bet I did! Because timing is everything–well, ALMOST everything. Money ALSO plays a big part in everything, as this upcoming week shall surely remind us.
Buchanan’s award was given to her by someone from a bank and someone from a construction company. Is that not hilarious? From the link (emphasis mine):
The award, co-presented by Farmers State Bank and Jackson Contractor Group, recognizes a Missoulian who exemplifies the mission of the association through commitment to maintaining a healthy business community and enhancing the quality of life and quality of place for visitors and residents alike.
Buchanan is the Director of the Missoula Redevelopment Agency, where for two decades she has been the behind the scenes leader guiding the creation of Mary Avenue’s extension across the Southgate Mall parking lot, the transformation of a railroad property into the MRL park, and the redevelopment of a shuttered KMART into the South Crossing with restaurants and retail spaces. She helped with the creation of the Missoula Midtown Association as one of the founding volunteers who saw the potential in organizing businesses and residents to have a voice in Missoula’s future.
The emphasis is premium-grade bullshit intended to create the illusion that our local cabal actually desires local input on their great transformative schemes for our valley. If that was true, making public comment at MRA board meetings wouldn’t be so difficult.
Next week it’s going to be interesting to see what wins in the information war’s competition for your attention: bank dominos falling, Hunter’s laptop lawsuit, or the claim of an impending arrest of Donald Trump.
I hope you pay THIS little virtual space some attention next week because I’ll be writing about another big change in leadership that might be announced soon here in Missoula, if the rumor is true, and I have every reason to think it is.
If you’re able to direct some monetary support in my direction, the about page is the place to do it.
Thanks for reading/listening!