Orton grant controversy continues
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Editor,
The controversy continues over the GPCF $100,000 grant award from the Orton Family Foundation (headquartered in Chicago, the land of questionable politics). One side paints it as a true victory, a reward from the Horn of Plenty won through hard work and simple, honest intentions. The other side believes the grant to be a Pandora’s Box event, opening the door for outside influence into our peaceful valley through attached strings of influence.
The “Yin” expounds on platitudes of benevolence with regards to the Orton Foundation, while ignoring the individual Board of Directors’ backgrounds and ties to things “sustainable” through ICLEI and U.N. Agenda 21 involvement. The Yin refuses to do any research whatsoever into the activities of this benevolent benefactor of “free funds.”
The Yang continues to provide controvertible evidence of questionable motives behind the “free” money — to apparently no avail; the Yin has tuned out — funny how that works.
If the GPCF is a 501(c)3 creature, that competed and won a grant of funds, why was it necessary for the Polson City Manager to officially (on behalf of the residents of Polson) sign an agreement document with the Orton Foundation? Why not the “leader” of the GPCF or the head of the Envision Polson subgroup, who won the grant? Why is this document, listed on the city’s website (and supposedly a public document available to the public) not available? Why is it necessary to file an official request (a form) with the city manager for a copy, when he apparently doesn’t even possess a complete copy of said document himself — you know, the one he signed with Orton? Need more proof of this claim? Refer to the minutes of the last city council meeting March 19, and Mr. Andrew Speer’s presentation of his failure to secure a copy of said document, with all three attachments, after nearly three weeks and two filings.
So, the contractual agreement between the City of Polson and the benevolent Orton Foundation, for a measly $100,000, is “top secret” and actually not available to the public, who are left holding the bag.
Michael Gale
Ronan
