Planning director supporters rally

Supporters of Flathead County Planning Director Jeff Harris pleaded with the county commissioners on Thursday to renew the contract for a planning director they say has been a skilled leader in land-use planning.

Harris’ contract is set to expire June 30 and he recently was informed by County Administrative Officer Mike Pence that his contract probably won’t be renewed.

Pence based his information on one-on-one conversations with all three commissioners.

The commissioners will make a formal decision at 9:15 a.m. Monday whether to renew Harris’ contract. The commissioners must vote in an open forum on Harris’ contract by April 30 to give him the required 60-day notice.

Karen Reeves of Whitefish led the group of supporters, noting that Harris “brought a welcome whiff of professionalism” to the Planning Office when he began work there almost five years ago. She talked about how difficult it was to get the North Fork neighborhood plan passed in an era of heavy anti-planning sentiment.

“In an extremely toxic environment he took the helm and slowly steered us toward actual planning,” Reeves said. “This was not an easy undertaking and certainly wasn’t welcomed by a certain faction used to always getting its own way.”

She pointed to the recent $10,000 independent investigation that exonerated Harris of any wrongdoing.

“If the outcome of getting rid of Jeff was pre-determined, why spend the money?” Reeves asked.

And if ousting Harris is a matter of saving money in the county budget, Reeves said “ridding ourselves of the top talent does not do the county any favors.

“To gut the planning department of leadership is to put us back in the position of reacting, not planning,” she added.

Reeves paid for an advertising campaign in the Daily Inter Lake that asked residents to support Harris by e-mailing or calling the commissioners.

Reeves pointedly asked commissioners Jim Dupont and Dale Lauman where they stand on land-use planning. Commissioner Joe Brenneman was absent.

Dupont didn’t respond. Lauman said he believes there’s a need for planning, but noted he’s also concerned about private citizens’ property rights.

Robert “Steve” Rosso, president of Lakeside Quick Response Unit, told the commissioners the current planning staff’s commitment to good planning shouldn’t be interrupted. He, too, pointed to the pressure the Planning Office has been under from a strong anti-planning faction in the Flathead.

“There is a loud minority group that, through their actions, one can only conclude their objective must be stopping all land-use planning in Flathead County,” Rosso said. “I expect you will never find a good, competent planning director these people will be satisfied with.”

Philip Crissman, a Kalispell therapist and member of the Labrant-Lindsey Lane Land Use Advisory Committee, said he also has witnessed the pressure the Planning Office has been under in recent years, but despite the “toxicity and attacks,” Harris and his staff have kept a “calm, clear and coherent attitude.”

Using a therapy analogy, Crissman said that if one looks at the county as a family, there’s “some serious dysfunction.” He reminded the commissioners they’re part of the county leadership.

“How we treat each other with respect is at the heart of a healthy community,” he said.

Shawna Floyd also lauded Harris’ leadership ability and said a price can’t be put on the knowledge he brings to the planning process.

 Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com