Trusler remains positive on Lake County
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POLSON — The Polson Chamber of Commerce had Todd Crossett speak on the state of the city of Polson and on Jan. 5, it was Lake County commissioner Paddy Trusler’s turn to talk about the state of Lake County.
Holding a chamber announcement with a picture of a sunrise, Trusler said a sunrise is the beginning of a new day, new challenge, and new opportunity for Lake County.
“I’m really very happy we (Lake County) are in the position we’re in,” he added.
Trusler said local government is a service provider although he explained, “In my opinion, government is the worst enemy of service.”
Clarifying the position of Lake County, Trusler said the county is a subdivison of the state of Montana.
“Everything we do is either mandated or authorized by the state.”
If a candidate claims to want to cut taxes, Trusler said ask what services he or she is going to cut.
Bringing up items on the commissioners agenda, Trusler said in selecting a successor for Senator John Brueggeman’s job, the focus is not on the political party but what’s good for the public.
One thing he’s noticed, Trusler said, was the lack of investment by the public in public process as evidenced by the boards they have trouble filling. About 250 board members are out there trying to support the county, he added.
As far as emergency services, Trusler said, “We’ve lost our volunteer spirit … we need to start backfilling the old with youth.”
Too often negative stuff is in the news because bad news sells, according to Trusler.
“But there is good news out there,” he added.
Good news around Polson includes the Skyline Drive project. The project includes a bike and pedestrian path connecting to Highway 93 and the Carol Sherick Trail, and construction will start in the early spring of 2011. Funded by a TIGER grant, the project was chosen out of 1,200 applications nationwide, one of two in Montana, Trusler explained.
Another bright spot is the county-wide recycling program to begin in the spring. Lake County, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and the city of Polson all are collaborating on the project and would like to reduce about 18 percent of the was stream. The city has already implemented a recycling program with School District 23.
Recycling is not an economic move because recycling is expensive, Trusler noted.
“It’s just the right thing to do. … So look for the big blue bins.”
Trusler also mentioned the Ronan Telephone Company plan to improve connectivity and high speed Internet through a $13 million grant.
Additional points of light include Ashton Martin, a new industry in the old bee pollen factory near Arlee, and Jore Corporation.
Trusler praised the cooperative relationship between the city of Polson and Lake County in matters such as Streetscape and the leasing of land at 6th and Main to the city for a parking lot.
In closing, Trusler said, “Lake County is strong; it will be here next year … We just need to figure out how to generate more revenue.”
