It Happened Again
Mayoral candidate, Ed McKnight, was not chastised for "grilling the staff", but instead, asking a direct question of Commissioner Jovick-Kuntz. At the city commission meeting on Tuesday, October 16, Mr. McKnight asked Jovick-Kuntz the source of a comment she made at a public meeting. Evidently, Jovick-Kuntz said that ECP has saved the city 1 Million Dollars. (Really? I’ve been hearing the entity has done nothing but loose money). Mr. McKnight asked her what the source was for her information. She did not deny making the remark, but as has become the norm, she told him to contact the fiscal director’s office. She would not give a direct answer. To Mr. McKnight’s credit, he did not back down and Mayor Stebbins proceeded to tell him he was being "uncivil". Funny, I was there. His question was asked in a civil manner- it was their behavior that turned uncivil. He asked the question one last time and Jovick-Kuntz responded that the source was Colleen Balzarini.
If public officials are going to make bold proclamations in public, they have no business getting defensive and trying to dodge public questions when they are being asked to prove or provide the source for their statements.
23 comments:
So typical. When things start to get uncomfortable....deflect that as uncivil and if things get too uncivil throw people out. They don't need to be honest or respond to peons.
I think that I've finally figured out what "uncivil" means. Anything primadonna doesn't like! And as far as "grilling" goes, I think that we can take donna and ms. kuntz off the bar-b-q now. THEY'RE DONE! I'm formally anouncing that I support Ed McKnight one hundred percent for the job of mayor. He's the man for the job. Oh, and Mary Jolley and Stuart Lewin also for city commission. Mary is as smart and witty as they come. And she's concerned about good, responsive government. Stuart (even though he's one of those 'lawyers') is smart, and he's very concerned about fiscal responsibility and accountability. I, too, want to know just WHAT IN THE HELL we're getting for our tax dollars! Ms. kuntz seems to think we don't need to know. These three folks would go a long way to bringing our city government back into line where it should be.
LK
GFgirl:
It sounds like you are mixing up two incidents in this post with half-thoughts or incomplete sequencing.
Your thoughts must be running faster than your fingers can type.
I had a similar reaction.
Anonymous at 2:42:
I'm assuming you are talking about the "grilling" comment. If so, my fingers were not ahead of my thoughts. That comment is in reference to a post I made on October 3, when Ed McKnight questioned the mayor about her actions. She told him and everyone else she would not allow "grilling of the staff". This time,(October 16) while he did not get chastised for "grilling", he was accused of being "uncivil". I hope this clears up any confusion you may have had.
GFgirl:
Yes, as I noted:
It sounds like you are mixing up two incidents in this post with half-thoughts or incomplete sequencing.
You might think about linking previous posts to current posts or better explaining your thoughts.
It is also uncivil to use the public commission meeting platform to make shameless plugs for a political campaign.
We all know the city commissioners and Mr. Lawton do not give direct answers at public meetings. To stand up over and over playing these games and setting the same trap looks desperate.
There is a process to request information. Geeguy has been using this as should the candidates. Grandstanding at the podium, even when correct is low class. Two wrongs do not make a right. Come on people, show a little class.
Really, these people have NO class - McKnight is a goon with bad information, and if Larry Kralj supports him, he is SOOOOO not the candidate! Susan Kahn can barely give a speech without bursting into tears - she'd last 2 minutes on the hot seat.
Mary Jolly is a non-player, too. It has been explained to her numerous times that the citizens DO NOT vote on private business - like SME- even if the city is or is not involved. Let's vote on another WalMart, OK? Just keep harping, Mary - someone will bring the flute!
She's another one horse candidate.
Lewin is clearly a long shot, with his opinions on what is wrong - and no offered solutions.
We need someone who has some clear thought processes- not this crop of obvious losers. Retain the incumbents and elect Elna!
Thank you John Lawton or are your his bag man? High time for the grade B actor to exit stage left. Yes, we all know Elna is your hand picked replacement. Not a chance
Any of these other candidates will be an improvement. Losers? Hardly, talk about low class. You guys are so yesterday.
Look everyone! HOLY HAL as here!!!
Anonymous 5:33 PM, October 18, 2007
&6:25 PM, October 18, 2007
Your thinly veiled attempt at sophistry is pathetic at best.
Your disrespect for the thinking public is made manifest in your disdain for true debate of documented facts.
'uncivil doublespeak will not be allowed, so sayeth the masters'...
PS - no 'grilling' either
Is Holy Hal - Golie, Olie, or Don? Heck, maybe it's a Tropilla?
DITTO on the Anon 7:20 post.
PL
Hal forgets the simplest truth of all. Public money, public vote! It's that simple. It's as simple as Hal himself. (Walmart is NOT public money, Hal, or did you forget???) And I nearly snarfed my scotch out my nose when he recommended Elna. (I think my granddad used to have a cow named Elna) But be that as it may, Elna said absolutely nothing last night. Even her talking points were pathetic. I mean, with her schoolmarm looks complete with bun in hair, her Lily Tomlin smirk, and her non-answers and arrogance, she came across kinda like mr. steele, someone badly in need of a job! I'm always a little suspicious of librarians from outta town who move here to save us from ourselves! But, Hal, the only problem with Edna is that she never DID tell us what her "degree" is in. She's a pretender. She danced all around it, saying she had attended college somewhere at some time, but never DID mention a degree! She really does need to get a life outside of running for boards and public office. I think that the community can do better. I'm afraid that poor Edna will be lurking about after the election looking for even ANOTHER board to cause mischief on! I mean, with that smirk, the woman will go far!
p.s. Hal, even the HIGHSCHOOL kids thought she was a joke. And you wanna know something? They're RIGHT!
There, I did it. I lowered the discourse to Hal's level. Sorry everyone.
LK
LK -
1) To attack Elna on her look/style and her name because of something said by an anonymous poster is unkind and unnecessary.
2) Certainly many of the candidates you allegedly support are displeased with your nasty, crazed and uncivil commentaries.
3) Maybe if you get out more, read more and really listen to what others have to say you will see the rest of us aren't as stupid or ignorant as you think we are.
4) Attack ideas, not people for how they look or on a given name that may have beloved meaning to a family.
I apologize. Hal brings out the worst in me. But Ms. Hensley did NOT impress me at all. For the life of me I canNOT understand why a person would move to GF and then attempt to DESTROY IT! That's all I'm saying. You see, those of us who can trace our roots in the west for over a hundred years have SEEN the devestation caused by unregulated resource extraction in the past. Hell, my ancestors caused it for well over a hundred years. (mining, timber, ranching, etc.) But now, those days should be over. And it makes my blood boil to see a newbie come to town and advocate that we turn Great Falls into a minnie Butte or East Helena! What's WRONG this woman?! If she wants pollution, why didn't she stay where she was from? I don't get. You see, one would logically THINK that a newbie to the community would be sensitive to the OVERWHELMING majority of people who oppose this damn thing. So, that begs the question, WHY ISN'T SHE?? This is what causes me to question her motivations for running. Is she the type of person that ENJOYS going against the will of the voters? If so, she has no business on our city council. We already have enough of those types. I trust the people of GF to figure it out. Hensley has shown that she will NOT implement their wishes or look after their interests. She like ms. kuntz. Once "elected", she'll do what she damn well pleases! This is NOT how good government operates. Hope this clears up my objections to this woman. I take if very personal when a newbie moves here and thinks that they know better than the majority of people that LIVE here!
LK
LK,
I have a history of pioneer crossing the plains roots in the west. Though I have spent most of my life out of the west my love for the west is no less passionate than yours.
What I have a problem with is the arrogance and blasting people like me as "outsiders" - as though our opinions are less worthy than yours.
You have an OPINION and so do others. Give us facts upon which to ponder or yours counts less than the "outsiders" who don't have emotionalize an issue to make a point.
NO OFFENSE
It's called a sense of place. Or a vested interest if you will. People who actually LIVE here have a vested interest in the community and how it develops. People who continually move from here to there have NO vested interest or sense of place. Sorry, but that's just the way it is. I can't possibly begin to know what things are like back east. I've never been there. Hell, I've never been east of the Montana line! So, I won't pretend to know what's best for Pennslyvannia or W. Virginia. And I don't appreciate those type of folks saying what's best for Great Falls. That's all. Now, if ms. hensley wants to insert herself into local decisions, she should at LEAST take into consideration the friggin' OVERWHELMING opinion of the residents who LIVE here! Why won't she? That makes her a despicable candidate in my humble opinion, such as it is.
LK
Sorry. People who want to live, retire, move or work here have "vested" interests in keeping informed and having opinions.
You ought not assume everyone is as ignorant as you are. You might learn something if you look around you and realize there are many people in this forum smarter than you.
They might not be as blinded by rage as you are, well, seem to be.
And people that move here and IMMEDIATELY side with industry against the locals are called PLANTS! Happens all the time. Now, I'm not saying that mss. hensley is an industry plant, but the rightwing figured out loong ago the best ways to infiltrate state governments. Just ask anyone from Kalispel. Perfect example. Ya, and you're quite right. I am NOT the brightest guy in the world, nor have I ever claimed to be. But even a I can figure this one out. But when you call me ignorant, you're also calling the vast majority of people in GF ignorant who feel the same way I do ignorant! That's just plain dumb.
LK
Nice try LK but my comments were specific to your post. Again, you throw out general accusations as though anyone who challenges your drive by drivel is unworthy to be here or have an opinion.
I'm sorry, but I must echo Gee Guy's point. It's NOT my responsibliity to educate you! Look, anyone unfamiliar with what happened in Kalispel when the kooks took over the city council is beyond my help. And anyone unfamiliar with the tactics developled by the extreme Christain Right after the defeat of Pat Robertson for president is beyond my help. This is a very one-sided conversation. I know a lot, and you don't know crap. Sorry, carry on without me. There ARE books out there. Try reading one sometime.
LK
LK...said "I am NOT the brightest guy in the world, nor have I ever claimed to be" but thinks himself some kind of genius.
Let him think that. It makes him happy. After all, he claims "I know a lot, and you don't know crap."....
So, Anon post 9:34 AM, October 19, 2007....
LK's proved you right, "He might learn something if [he looked] around...."
Let it go and let him have the last word - he'll more than likely prove you right again.
Cheers!
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