Flatiron Guest Editorial

Flat Iron – there’s strangers in town!

by Dan Leonardi, Hamilton

Enter – Shiloh Development

“If only we could own about five miles worth of them hills and that big green open flat out east a town, we’d show these local immigrants what’s good fer ‘em.”

Enter – Mayor and City Council

“But what should we do? They are big developers and they have money!”

Enter – Local Cadillac dealer

“Don’t worry boys, I can handle this deal!”

If this sounds western, you get the picture. The story that follows is a disgrace. There are several things you need to know.

Annexing the FlatIron development is about self-serving interest, two miles from town, designed to make a lot of money for Harold and Brad Mildenberger, Ken Madden (Shiloh Development), Jim Schueler and Associates. 495 acres, most of which will not pass perk test for a septic permit, due to ground water two or three feet from the surface. Thus the need for a sewer main from the City to make this deal fly, hereafter referred to as the “Pipe Dream.” This deal will cause liability and higher taxes for the City and the County.

The Pipe Dream will enable Brad and Harold to develop other land that they own, or acquire, on both sides of Tammany Road and across south and east to the country golf course on Golf Course Road. Urban sprawl and the exploitation of the countryside! 625 houses and 36 hotels, restaurants and commercial buildings!

You should know that $30,000 was given to the City by the Pipe Dreamers to study this idea. A city planner was hired, Dennis Stranger, and he is working hard to produce the desired results. Thousands more have been spent by the Shiloh Development team, hiring WGM Group to convince the City that they are going to get a deal. They have also spent considerable time telling the council that they have an obligation to provide this kind of deal for the citizens.

These Pipe Dreamers have laid intricate plans, none of which you have been included in, except they plan to spend your money to make this deal work! Sound familiar?

You should know that Shiloh Development had to declare Chapter 11 Bankruptcy at its “Glacier Ranch” development near Kalispell. Vice president Scott Farnam of Shiloh Development, is quoted saying, “It’s a reorganization, a recapitalization opportunity.” This sounds like a deal the City should get in on. Look up New West News on the web: First Interstate Bank of Kalispell is owed $6.2 million by Ken Madden’s Shiloh, not including $1.7 million plus to contractors.

All of this and certain council men and the new mayor are still playing footsy with the Pipe Dreamers and Ken Madden, hoping to get a date. They believe this deal will make some real money for the City! Instead of money they will likely get an investigation. Someone asked why are the citizens having to defend themselves against public servants?

Come to the next annexatiosn meeting at City Hall and get the whole story. The last meeting was cancelled because of a typo error. Do you smell a country kitty?

Let’s see now , was that an “S” or an “N” in the word annex?

Source of Post: Bitterroot Star Weekly Newspaper available: www.BitterrootStar.com