Dear Editor,
On July 10, in a City Council meeting, Councilman Mike Boyett made a motion to separate the two major items on the ballot for the $143 million funding request. He “apparently” felt that voters should have the choice of either OR neither of 1) $57 million for Parks and Trails and 2) $86 million for the recreational center.
His motion failed by a vote of 6 to 5 against the DIVISION of the two items on the ballot.
Ironically (???) there were citizens in attendance in the City Council meeting that night who spoke very rigorously AGAINST the division. Three of those people were from Play It Forward Billings, with one of those being the plant manager of the PAR refinery who stated that PAR would withdraw its pledge of $2 million if the ballot was Indeed divided. (By the way, “division” is actually a City Ordinance term.)
Ironically? Purposely?
Question — How did those three members of Play It Forward know to be at the City Council meeting THAT night to specifically argue against DIVISION of the ballot? Was this all a staged event? Did they come that night, knowing full well that a motion would be made to divide the ballot, so that they could argue strongly against a DIVISION, fully expecting the division to be voted down?
If so, who alerted them that the motion to DIVIDE would be made THAT night?
And now, today, the Play it Forward marketing NEVER discusses the rec center, but only the benefits of OUTDOORS, of PARKS & TRAILS. Play it Forward mailed out a flyer yesterday praising Parks & Trails but never mentioning the rec center.
Was this always a staged maneuver to combine the two, so that the marketing by all bond supporters could be just for Parks & Trails, with media only of OUTDOORS, knowing that the rec center would quickly lose if in a vote by itself on the ballot ? And apparently the mere mention of “recreation center” by bond supporters would be very harmful to their cause.
Good questions…
The correct answer could be politically damaging to some politicians. Wait! Here? In Rimrock City? Nah…. Politicians are part of the Crony Circle here. How about upsetting to voters? Well, if you aren’t upset already, you probably have developed immunity and no longer care.
Clark Johnson
Billings
