Open Lands
Leaders Launch Campaign for Missoula County Open Space Bond
By Brianna Randall, 9-13-06
A simple message framed on a green sign -- "Yes to Open Space" -- stood behind Missoula County Commissioner Jean Curtiss this morning as she officially launched the campaign to pass a $10 million open space bond in Missoula County this November.
A group of around 30 supporters and reporters gathered at 11 a.m. for this launch on the viewing deck behind Caras Park. Advocates of the bond, including Mayor John Engen, spoke against the backdrop of the already-protected open lands of Mount Sentinel to their right and the roar of the Clark Fork River funneling down Brennan's Wave at their back.
Ethel MacDonald, a retired teacher and a member of the Missoula Open Space Advisory Council, told the small crowd that this bond is "a bargain" for Missoula residents at just less than $2 per month for the average homeowner. She emphasized her staunch support of paying to protect open lands and wildlife habitat despite her "small home" and "limited means."
Jim Cusker, a member of the Missoula County Open Lands Working Group (made up of 18 members from the county's nine planning regions), gave his perspective as a farmer out on Mullan Road, a rural area just outside the city that is quickly being developed.
"The productivity of Missoula's prime agricultural lands disappears fast when it's covered in asphalt and concrete," said Cusker. He advocated the need to conserve working farms and ranches, and described how the bond measure can provide alternative revenue for farmers trying to make it economically feasible to stay on their land.
Former Grizzly football star and First Security banker Ciche Pitcher told the gathering about how conservation lands and open space add economic vitality to the county.
"Anyone who will tell you that Missoula's quality of life is a main reason to do business here or bring business here," Pitcher said.
Mayor Engen wrapped up the proceedings by pointing out (behind the currently smoky skies) Mount Sentinel and Mount Jumbo, protected by the $5 million open space bond passed by the city in 1995. He said that while 100 years from now names like his may be forgotten, future generations will still appreciate the foresight of today's Missoula city and county residents who protected their open lands and clean waters.
The open space bond campaign launch featured newly-designed fact sheets, and examples of recently released billboards placed in high-traffic areas of the city, espousing slogans such as: "Yes to Clean Water" and "Yes to Our Way of Life."
The campaign and publicity materials are paid for and coordinated by Montanans for Land Water and Wildlife, a group committed to passing the 2006 Missoula Open Space Bond. Missoula County residents will have the opportunity to vote on this ballot issue on November 7th.
For the sake of full disclosure, the author was a member of the City's Open Space Working Group last winter
Like this story? Get more! Sign up for our free newsletters.
Comments
Be the first to comment on this article. Please complete the form below.