Livingston Weekly

Update: The Wal-Mart Controversyand the Fate of the JessonFamily's 40 Acres

Not long ago, the City of Livingston and two local conservation groups sued Park County over a zone change made to a parcel near the I-90 interchange on the east side of Livingston. The plaintiffs alleged the county overstepped its authority by spot-zoning the land as commercial, which, they argued, could create a “McDonald’s exit” where visitors would gas up, eat and leave without ever visiting Livingston’s core districts.

The parties eventually entered into a settlement agreement in 2003, which gave the county a mandate to work with its citizens in forming a growth policy for the 4.5-mile “donut” surrounding Livingston. As many may know, the county then formed a growth policy, adopted it and then watched helplessly as a citizen-led petition effectively suspended the visionary document until an up or down vote in November 2008.

Now, in a slightly ironic twist of fate, the City of Livingston finds itself working with county landowners to create a commercial zone on the I-90 interchange west of town. The initial moves toward annexation and re-zoning–coupled with rumors of corporate juggernaut Wal-Mart setting up shop there–are creating quite a hullabaloo in this community.

On April 21, 2008, the Livingston City Commission amended the city’s growth policy zoning map by including portions of two sections as light industrial and/or commercial. The 40.5 acres (currently zoned as agriculture) belong to the Jessons, a local family who began a dialogue with the city in hopes of selling the land for their retirement. So far, the Jessons have found open ears. The same night, the commission also passed Resolution No. 3937 giving the city manager the authority to enter into an annexation agreement with Margie Jesson.

Some months ago, the Jessons and the City held a workshop exploring the possibilities for commercial development of the land. Livingston City Commission Chair Steve Caldwell described the conversation as trying to find out what development would “make sense given the location.” According to those involved, discussions ranged from truck stops to car dealerships.
Meanwhile, more than one source told the Livingston Weekly the Jessons were in discussions with Wal-Mart to sell the land for several million dollars. The family denies this, and their lawyer Vuko Voyich adamantly states there have been no such negotiations between the landowners and Wal-Mart or any other potential buyer.

Fair enough. Rumors can have a momentum of their own in small towns, and even though several credible sources heard of dealings with Wally-World, we should take the Jessons at their word. Still, the mere talk of box store development in Livingston is opening an important dialogue about the town’s future.

We know with relative certainty this land is likely going to see development of some sort. Be it a Wal-Mart or a mom-and-pop, the western gateway to Livingston is slated to change. What exactly that change will be and how it will affect the community is anybody’s guess at this point. Either way, the situation exemplifies the classic growth scenario: balancing private property rights with the will and vision of the greater community.

Before any development can happen, the Jessons must first petition the City to annex their land, which is currently in the donut and subject to county regulations. If the City is in favor of annexing the land, which they are likely to be, they must then produce a statement of intent to annex followed by a resolution to officially annex the property. All subsequent decisions would be done at the commission’s regular public meetings (first and third Monday of every month).

At the April 21 meeting, the commissioners gave several reasons for supporting the growth policy change and potential annexation. Prevalent among those reasons was the argument that the situation would be far worse if the property stayed in the county and out of the city’s regulatory jurisdiction.

“We could be in for a much worse scenario if we leave it in the county,” Commissioner Vicki Blakeman said.

Blakeman’s concerns likely stem from the county’s growth policy (or lack thereof). But while the document’s suspension does limit what the county can and cannot do, the situation does not render the county powerless.
Park County Land Use Planner Mike Inman, for one, is not so sure city annexation is the only answer to the situation. Inman says only development proposals permitted under the Donut Zoning Regulations would be allowed under the county’s watch. And once the County does have a growth policy, the zoning regulations could be amended, as well as the Donut zoning designation. This would include a substantial public process, Inman stresses. It is this public process that concerns Inman the most.

“Changing the Growth Policy based upon the request of a single land owner negates the purpose and intent of having a growth policy, which is a community vision of future growth in an area,” Inman points out. “I would encourage the City Commission to revisit their Growth Policy and encourage public participation in order to amend the Growth Policy to reflect the desires and vision of the community is serves, not the request of one landowner.”

Livingston’s 2004 growth policy (which is presumably coming soon to the city’s website) states on Page One, Objective One: “Support existing businesses in economic viability.”

Given the hypothetical scenario of Wal-Mart coming to town, passionate arguments–which have been debated in town after town across the country–arise over whether or not superstores like Wal-Mart are good for communities. Whether or not one is coming to Livingston, the conversation is a good one to have.

While Commissioner Caldwell says he does not like Wal-Mart nor does he shop there, he emphasizes, “Who am I to control what people’s shopping decisions or economic decisions can be?”

As for whether or not a Wal-Mart would be a boon to Livingston, Caldwell believes the situation would probably not be as gloomy as some think.
“It wouldn’t be a catastrophic impact on this town’s viability.”

A Livingston Wal-Mart may not necessarily be catastrophic for Livingston, but there seems to be ample evidence illustrating how the retail giant can hurt communities. Downtown businesses have developed relative immunity, but Wal-Mart’s presence could certainly hurt some. Pamida would likely close. Yellowstone Gateway Sports would take a hit. And if the Wal-Mart carried groceries, Town and Country and Albertson’s would certainly see it in their bottom lines as well.

So how would a Wal-Mart (or a similar store) be good for Livingston? Well, it would provide jobs (though low-paying and with limited room for advancement). It would provide an increased tax base for the city, who already provides emergency and other services to the area, and the city could also require impact fees from developers.

One of the biggest arguments for stores like Wal-Mart is the economic opportunities big box prices pass on to the less affluent, which, lest we all forget, Livingston has its fair share of. Gas is pricey and getting more so. Wouldn’t it be better if more locals could get their supplies “locally” without having to go to Bozeman?

To be frank, the idea that a Wal-Mart would help heal Livingston’s socioeconomic wounds is a bit of a farce. First of all, going to Wal-Mart or North Nineteenth Street in Bozeman is not like crossing the Oregon Trail anymore. Secondly, the existence of a Wal-Mart and cheap products does not magically erase the underlying economic problems in Livingston. There seems to be plenty of evidence in towns across the country that Wal-Marts generally are not so great for small towns. This community needs money coming in, not being siphoned out. Surely there are better uses for these 40 acres.

But, like Commissioner Caldwell says, who is any one person to say whether or not this community supports a Wal-Mart? Does it?
The idea of a commercial district in this area is certainly not flawed; the area is not very suitable for residential, and the gateway corridor makes sense for commercial growth. Printing for Less, a significant local employer and economic engine, is testament to this.

So how would different businesses on this property affect Livingston? The Jessons reportedly were courted by a developer who wanted to build a truck stop. The current owners of the existing truck stop on the west end might not think a truck stop would be the best idea. One business could be good for some and not for others. One use might be good for some but not for others. This is the nature of community planning.

It is not clear whether or not Wal-Mart is coming to Livingston. What is perfectly clear from this situation is that a real discussion needs to happen regarding where and how Livingston wants to grow. That will involve the Jessons and it will involve the City and County, hopefully working together. Ultimately, however, it needs to involve Livingstonians taking an active role in the future of the community. Reactionary planning will do little to preserve what makes this place great, and it will do little to bring in good local business and jobs. Those are, after all, what this community seems to be needing the most.

—David Nolt

Photo Essay:17th Annual Depot Railroad Swap

The Livingston Depot Center’s eighteenth annual Railroad Swap Meet last Saturday, April 26, 2008 brought railroad buffs young and old from around the area. Diana Seider, director of the Depot said, “The Swap Meet is a traditional get-together for railroad enthusiasts and exhibitors and vendors from all around the western region. It features railroad antiques, memorabilia, collectibles, books, photos, documents, model trains, and tools.”

The Livingston Model Railroaders ran the extensive model train rooms in the Depot Baggage Room’s basement club space as well as on the Depot east mezzanine while full-size engines rumbled by on the adjacent Montana Rail Link yard tracks.

During the event Livingston artist David Swanson displayed a sample of the forthcoming “Sweat and Steel” exhibit which will be on display when the Depot Museum opens for the season on May 24. 2008 at 9 a.m. Studying the engines to create the oil canvasses was “a bit like jazz if you’re not an aficionado,” said Swanson, “When you learn more about them you gradually acquire an awareness of the details and differences” between individual machines.

After the exhibit at the Depot, “Sweat and Steel” will travel throughout Montana to similar railroad and history museums.

Vendors and presenters came from around the state and the region for the event, which coincides with another annual railroad swap meet at the Masonic Temple in Helena. Larry Rice, the director and curator of the Toppenish, Washington Northern Pacific Railway Museum said he truly enjoys attending the swap meets across the Pacific Northwest, “It’s a lot of fun.”

“The market isn’t like it used to be,” Rice added, “Ebay took away from that.” Rice explained that many railroad enthusiasts now do much of their business from their homes, “But it’s more fun to walk, look, barter and bicker, and swap stories” at a hands-on event.

For more information about the upcoming Depot exhibits, contact the museum at 222-2300. For more information about the Livingston Model Railroaders, contact Mike Fleming at 222-1937.

Below from left: Livingston artist David Swanson puts the finishing touches on a charcoal drawing during the Railroad Swap. Swanson’s pictures of engines and railroad scenes will be the feature of the “Sweat and Steel” exhibit which will open the season at the Depot Museum and travel throughout the state and the region after the local display; a display of railroad switch locks and keys; An extensive collection of Lionel model trains on exhibit for sale or trade during the Depot Railroad Swap Meet April 26. Exhibitors included Ron Kaminski, a collector who handled railroad pension on the railroad retirement board and has now amassed a museum quality collection from around the state and the region. Kaminski is also one of the major lenders in the Depot Museum’s regular collection; a collection of antique train timetables.

Casting Clinic:The Five Essentials of Casting

In a continuing series on fly casting, Matt Wihelm of the Federation of Fly Fishers and the Yellowstone Fly Fishing School shares tips and tricks for laying a line out:

Fly casting differs from spin fishing in that a fly is basically weightless whereas the lures used in spin fishing have weight.  In spin fishing the weight of the lure pulls the monofilament line off of the reel when cast, delivering the lure to the fish.  In fly fishing the weightless fly relies on the heavy fly line to deliver it to an intended target.   When fly fishing consider casting the line and the fly will follow.  Efficient and effective fly casting is relies on five fly casting essentials.  When any one of these essentials are omitted a fly cast can fail or not end up quite where expected.  Knowing and practicing the five essentials will help all fly fishers make strides toward efficient casting.

Essential One:  Slack must be kept to a minimum while fly casting.

When beginning any fly cast it is best to start with a completely straightened fly line absent of slack.   If there is slack in the line part of the casting stroke will be lost trying to take up the slack and the rod will not load (bend).

Tip:  Totally straighten your fly line before each cast and anchor the line in either the non casting hand, or between the casting hand and the grip.

Essential Two:  The rod tip must travel in a straight line while casting.

The casting loop will take the shape of the rod tip path for the good, or for the bad.  Ideally the rod tip should travel in a straight line path.  The result will be a tighter loop that is more efficient, less wind resistant, more accurate, and will travel further.  If the rod tip travels in a convex or a windshield wiper shaped path a large, open loop will occur.  Large loops often collapse short of  the intended target.  When the rod tip dips below a straight line path a tailing loop is often the result.  Tailing loops are often the cause of those pesky “wind knots” that are found in the leader and tippet. 

Tip:  Pretend there is a paint brush on your rod tip and the ceiling needs painting. If the rod tip deviates from a straight line the paint brush loses contact with the ceiling. 

Essential Three:  Power should be added smoothly and evenly during the cast.

When casting a fly rod the hand accelerates the rod forward and/or backward.  The hand movement starts slowly, gains speed, and ends with a crisp stop.  Acceleration should be greatest just before the stop.  When power is added correctly to the cast the rod will load correctly, and unload better after the stop.

Tip:  Take a paint brush and dip it in water.  Accelerate the brush forward as it were a fly rod and try to flick the water off the paint brush.  If water goes up in the air power was added too early.  If the water hits the wall in front of you around eye level or a little higher power was added appropriately.

Essential Four:  The length of the casting stroke (hand movement) and casting arc (angle change in the butt of the fly rod) is determined by the amount of line beyond the rod tip.

When casting a short line a short casting stroke, and narrow arc is needed.  This is because the amount of weight beyond the rod tip is small and the rod need not travel in a wide arc to effectively cast the line.  Conversely, when a long line is being cast the casting arc must open and the stroke must lengthen to accommodate the greater weight of the fly line beyond the rod tip to maintain a good cast.

Tip:  A common mistake here is trying to cast too much line.  Mark your fly line 35” back from it’s tip with a permanent marker and practice often.  Practice with the marking anchored in either your non casting hand, or anchored in your casting hand against the grip.  Once comfortable cast slightly shorter and slightly longer noticing changes in the casting stroke and arc.

Essential Five:  There must be a pause after the rod stops for the back cast and forward cast.  The length of the pause is determined by the length of line beyond the rod tip.

A good rule to follow is when casting a short line there should be a short pause, if casting a long line there will be a long line and longer pause.  Correct amount of pause also yields good timing when casting.  Pausing after the stop allows the loop to unroll and straighten.  If the pause is too short the rod will not load correctly.  If the pause is too long the line and leader will fall to the ground either behind or in front and energy will be lost here as well. 

Tip:  Look over your shoulder and watch your back cast.   Or, cast with the rod 45 degrees to the ground.  This will allow you to see your back cast better and help to build timing.  If the pause is too long the fly will hit the ground.

—Matt Wilhelm

http://www.yellowstoneflyfishingschool.com/

An Angel in Disguiseat Big Brothers and Big Sisters

In a song by Tracy Chapman she sings, “I’ve seen and met angels wearing the disguise of ordinary people living ordinary lives.” Being a part of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Park County (BBBS) gives one the opportunity to meet people about which this statement is true. The mentors and volunteers that give of themselves without any thought of recognition or reward are abundant in this community.

There are countless examples of such individuals, but the story of one volunteer in particular stands out. Last month BBBS agencies across the nation were asked to nominate a Big Brother and Big Sister of the year. They were asked to choose someone who exemplifies what it means to be a mentor and who demonstrates the profound impact one person can make in a child’s life. Stella Halasa, of Livingston, was chosen as the “Big Sister of the Year” from Montana. As Charney Gonnerman, Executive Director of BBBS said, “Stella represents the character and competence that we see displayed by all of our mentors as they empower children to reach their highest potential.”

After moving to Livingston three years ago, Stella Halasa came to the Big Brothers Big Sisters agency to meet new people and get involved in the community.  She was told about a 12-year-old boy named Galen with Down Syndrome who really needed a Big.  All Stella heard was “someone needed a friend.”  Stella and Galen became matched and a beautiful friendship developed between two strangers.  They spend their time together walking along the river, making dinners, bowling, and playing games. 

Over the past two years Galen has gained many valuable skills and self confidence from his friendship with Stella.  As his mother shared, “Stella’s continuing enjoyment of Galen as just a kid has been a wonderful Godsend to his life and mine.”  In Stella’s eyes, she has gained equally as much as her Little has from their friendship.  “BBBS has given me a license to be young and an opportunity to spend time with a very special young man who will someday provide society with a most valuable and humanizing influence.”  She goes on, “I am very grateful to the wonderful staff at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Park County because they sprinkle stardust on the children of Livingston everyday and for a few hours a week, I get to feel like a million dollars.”  The staff at BBBS is equally grateful for all that Stella has done in Galen’s life as well as the greater community.  As staff member Nancy McIlhattan said of Stella, “She is a role model of what is possible through positive interactions with a child.  Stella knows how to give back to her community by going above and beyond what is asked of her no matter what the personal cost.”

In the spirit of Volunteer Appreciation Month, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Park County would like to thank all of our volunteers for the incredible ways they give back to this community. They are an inspiration to us all. If you would like to get involved please call 222-1930 or stop by our office at 120 E. Park St. There are many ways to give back to our community. In the word’s of our “Big Sister of the Year” Stella Halasa, volunteering “is all about having fun, sharing some of your time, and getting a whole lot more in return.”

—Lauren Dalzell

http://www.bbbsparkcounty.org/

Park High Pulse:Incompetent One, Stay Off the Road

There are times when I wonder if anyone remembers some of the basic traffic laws.  Almost daily, I hear people talking about other drivers who are not following the laws and nearly causing accidents.  Every time I’m in the car with someone, I experience “road rage” like yelling and pounding the dashboard, due to people neglecting the laws.

One of my biggest pet peeves is drivers who fail to follow the rule “pedestrians first.”  Because my friends and I have yet to get our driver’s licences or learner’s permits, we have to walk everywhere.  I have no idea how many people walk around town regularly but I am sure those who do have been nearly run over countless times, like me.  Just because someone has a car, they are not the only person in the world. Until there is a magical car that eliminates everyone else except the driver from the road, people are going to have to be aware of others they share the road with.

A couple of  weeks ago I was crossing the street to go to the post office to get some mail.  I stopped and saw a small car approaching.  As it came to a stop, we looked at each other for two or three seconds.  Because of my past experience, where most drivers ignore my presence and continue on their way, I made sure to look at the driver.  Through this look of a few seconds, I thought the driver and I reached a consensus that I, the pedestrian, would cross the street first and then the car would go on its way.  Obviously, I was wrong.  I looked down so I wouldn’t fall off the curb, and started walking across the street.  The car kept driving.  Realizing I was about to be run over, I looked up and into the driver’s enraged eyes. The driver waved her arms at me like a toddler in the middle of a fit and I ran the rest of the way across the street.  

Successfully returning from getting the mail without dying I reached the intersection again. Once again, a vehicle was coming but this time it was a giant four-wheel drive truck. It could kill tiny me much easier and more efficiently than the small Toyota which nearly ran me over before. Wary of what happened five minutes ago, I looked at the driver of the truck.  There was intense eye contact and no way he could have missed me. So, stare down done, I looked down and started and across the street. Once again he kept driving!  And once again, I was subjected to a crazy display of stink eye and toddler arms. Situations like the one above are why there are stop lights, cross walks and other road signs.  I don’t know, maybe I’m just incompetent at crossing the street or have the wrong ideas about pedestrian laws.

I seem pretty clear on the idea of driving laws. For example, what does one do if they come to an unmarked intersection? To me, it seems like a lot of drivers have no idea.  If there was some horrific incident where all the stop signs in the world disappeared, half the world would cease to exist because people have no idea what to do, and apocalyptic road conditions would soon take over.

In fact the right thing to do when a driver stops at an unmarked intersection is to yield to the right of way (the driver’s right).  Whenever I am in the car with someone who follows the law, the driver my driver stopped for seems to get really confused or mad.  I have seen people throw their hands in the air and glare at other drivers for being polite and letting them go first.  I’ve seen some drivers just sit there for ten seconds waiting for the law abiding person to go.  Sure, it is nice,but it is confusing for the car that yielded to the right of way. 

The reason these laws were created to avoid this type of situation and have traffic run smoothly.  I know some people who usually yield to the right of way but stop because no one else does.  Something else drivers seem to forget when they stop at intersections are blinkers. Not everyone is telepathic and it is nice to know where the person in front of or next to one is going.  Using blinkers prevents accidents and frustration amongst drivers.  Blinkers let one know where they can go at what time.  If they were of no use, would car makers bother to put blinkers on the car? 

I may not be able to drive legally yet but I can assure everyone that I plan to use my blinker, obey the right of way and pedestrians first every time I drive.  The roads are already a dangerous and crazy place and by remembering just a few simple rules, roads could be a lot safer and enjoyable to drive.

—Candace Fladager

Park High School Intern