Lakeside, Bigfork DO care about keeping green boxes

I have heard that the Solid Waste Board and perhaps others believe that the communities of Bigfork and Lakeside are OK with the consolidation of their green box sites into the site at Somers.

So, this “letter to the editor” is to state, unequivocally, that this could not be farther from the truth. Bigfork has been protesting for at least a year. Dave Prunty and Jim Chilton were asked to speak at a Lakeside Community Council meeting on Oct. 30, 2012, which was attended by a group of residents concerned about the county’s plans.

To be crystal clear that Lakeside does not want to lose its site, go to the county’s planning and zoning website and access the meeting minutes from this meeting. I also know that many residents of Bigfork and Lakeside attended a recent Solid Waste Board meeting and expressed their concerns. At least one of the Lakeside residents has also written to the coard and the county commissioners about issues with consolidating to the Somers green box site.

Just how many people need to protest, sign a petition, write letters/emails, or attend meetings before you believe that neither Lakeside nor Bigfork support the consolidation of their green box sites to Somers? I assure you that we can come up with what it would take! Just tell me the number.

Since the October 2012 Lakeside Community Council meeting, the council has discussed this issue in several of its monthly meetings, and attendees freely expressed their disapproval of the county’s plans. The Community Council also scheduled a representative from Bigfork to speak at our Nov. 26 meeting. In addition, a call for a letter/email writing campaign from Lakeside/Somers residents has gone out in our local, email-distributed newsletter — the “Lakeside Somers Voice” (lakeside_somers_voice@centurytel.net, should any of you wish to subscribe, and I would hope that those of you representing Lakeside/Somers certainly would).

To my knowledge, except for the Solid Waste Department and Board members, in any discussion of this issue, there has not been one single person in favor of losing either the Lakeside or the Bigfork green box sites. If you can find one, please let me know.

On the contrary, several issues are continually repeated by many:

n The original study resulting in the consolidation plan is flawed. It does not consider the rural and mountainous nature of Lakeside and Bigfork — which, in fact, is true of much of Flathead County. I express my gratitude to the commissioners for supporting another look at the study and the plan and I hope the views of local populations are included and residents are regularly informed. Where is this study and its recommendations — can I find it on your website? Who participated? Can we get copies?

n There are extreme safety hazards at the Somers site on Montana 82, which will only get worse with increased traffic from Bigfork and/or Lakeside: (1) the speed limit, (2) no turn lanes, (3) no light or blinking light. This is an accident waiting to happen. The county should not move forward unless MDT agrees to make safety changes.

n The complete disregard of the county for the inconvenience and cost to residents. I have clocked the mileage to the Somers site — round trip between mid-town Lakeside and the Somers site is 19 miles — more for those who may live mile(s) away from town center. Not only is this an inconvenience, but at +/- $3 a gallon, each trip is $3-$10, depending on gas mileage and fluctuating gas costs. Even if trips are limited to once per week, that’s $156-$300 a year — in addition to the mandatory green-box tax/fee ($80.73), paid by every county taxpayer, whether they use a green-box site or not.

n Same is true if a resident elects for curbside pick-up: (1) The vendor is paid in addition to the county tax and, with only one vendor available to us in Lakeside, residents are at the mercy of that vendor with regard to pricing. (2) Some residents in our rural settings (myself included) have long driveways with steep grades and walking a large, bulky, trash-filled vendor’s can and tubs to the curb is both inconvenient and dangerous, especially in winter. Leaving it outside for any extended time is impractical, due to wildlife in rural areas. “Lions and tigers and bears” are a reality here, not relegated to the land of Oz.

n No matter which way you cut it, there will be some residents who will NOT use Somers and will NOT pay for pick up. Guess where their trash will go? Anywhere they think they can get away unseen, and most likely, along or at the end of some of our unpaved, still-scenic, mountain roads. Who gets to clean that up? Please don’t say the oft-repeated “not my job.”

So, instead of just taking Lakeside (or Bigfork) away, explore alternatives. Why not continue leasing from MDT or the private landowner — surely it can’t cost that much — and aren’t the taxpayers already paying for this anyway? Better yet, buy that section of MDT land in Lakeside and the private landowner’s land in Bigfork from whom you are currently leasing (a one-time cost).

In Lakeside, get better fencing, permanently improve the constantly pot-holed entry road, and then patrol all unmanned sites periodically with one or two persons. A full time staff person per site is not needed. It may even be possible to convince some residents to help support one-time costs, if the county will continue the service and the maintenance of the site(s). Give the communities a chance; give us some options.

Most importantly, a final plea to the commissioners and board: You must not proceed without the involvement of the county taxpayers to whom you are mandated to provide services and who pay taxes for your budget and services. They must be continually informed of study results, facts, and plans. You are obligated to listen to their views and ideas and give them serious consideration.

Miller is a resident of Lakeside.