Candidate makes pledge

Flathead County voters will face a clear choice about the future of Flathead County on election day — will they select myself, a candidate who has a proven record of protecting public access, our natural beauty and clean water, or will they vote for my opponent, who has a record of squandering these values.

Flathead Valley is a special place. It's a great place to live, work and raise kids. Our thriving local economy depends on the high quality of life we enjoy here.

The Flathead Valley is also changing. It's growing fast. Each and every day, three new families make this their home. And one family moves out.

Outside developers have discovered there is a bundle of money to be made in the Flathead Valley. They recognize that if they can bring a building lot to market, that one of those three families will likely buy it. That's OK because that equals investment, jobs and progress.

But we don't have to simply hand over the reins to the outside developers. By working and planning together, we can grow in a way that keeps the Flathead Valley beautiful and keeps our economy humming. If we don't, you can bet our future will be much worse than today — if we let strip development, traffic jams and water pollution become widespread problems.

As a father, professional planner and private owner/manager of a tree farm, I am proud of my record of helping develop Flathead County in a way that protects those things that makes Flathead Valley special.

I've dedicated long hours to volunteer projects like the Smith Valley Volunteer Fire Department and Rails-to-Trails, a project that gives local families and visitors alike a great way to enjoy each other and our great outdoors.

To me, "quality development" means development that protects our clean water, guarantees the public right to access public land and water, and keeps Flathead Valley beautiful and prosperous.

But let's look at my opponent's record:

? On public access, he has praised luxury condominiums in Lakeside that block access and views to Flathead Lake and encroach on the floodplain. He calls them "quality projects." I call it privatizing privilege and socializing costs.

? While on the Flathead County Solid Waste Board, he expanded the landfill in violation of legal requirements to protect our groundwater.

? As current president of the Lakeside County Water and Sewer District, he only blames the Somers County Water and Sewer District for the failure of the two districts to work together. In the early 1990s, as chairman of the Flathead County Solid Waste Board, he oversaw the illegal expansion of the landfill that caused a rift between that board and the state.

This is a crucial time for the future of Flathead County. The decisions we are making today will set our future in stone. We only have one chance to do this right.

I'm no politician. I've never before run for elected office. I'm just a concerned parent and member of the community who is invested in the Flathead Valley for the long haul.

I see a lot of change. Every day. Some of it good. Some, I fear, we will regret.

My pledge is simple. If elected, I will listen to everyone, not just the privileged and the moneyed few who have easy access to the halls of power. I will make sure that the decisions consider what is good for taxpayers today and tomorrow — and what keeps our water clean, our economy vibrant and our valley a safe, friendly place to raise kids.

I stand only on my record and my word.

Thank you for your consideration and support.

Mark D. Crowley is a candidate for Flathead County commissioner.