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Articles by Felix Spinelli
Letter to the editor: Why WARD initiative is likely to fail, and why that's unfortunate
The WARD (Water Adequacy for Residential Development) initiative on the upcoming election ballot has captured much attention. Public forums, editorials, and other outlets (front page headlines in the BDC, Oct. 10 and 11 editions plus numerous editorials and candidate statements) have all presented their views, leaving novice observers, like me, confused.
Letter to the editor: Section of 'Big Beautiful Bill' allows lawmakers to violate Constitution
Section 70302 doesn’t pass the smell test! Regardless of your political affiliation, I urge you to simply Google Section 70302 of the "One Big Beautiful Bill". From my perspective, it sounds as if it gives a free pass to lawmakers who violate the Constitution. Please ask your congressmen why we shouldn’t be alarmed and why it is inserted on page 920 of the Bill? Felix Spinelli Bozeman Get any of our free daily email newsletters — news headlines, opinion, e-edition, obituaries and more.
Letter to the editor: Cheers for Sen. Pope's solar bill clearing Montana Senate
Sen. Chris Pope’s bill to establish a legal framework for community solar power projects would create incentives for “solar energy farms”, perhaps built nearby, or in conjunction with, new housing developments. Such farms could offset some of the ever-increasing energy demands cheaply (the per unit cost of energy is about a quarter of rooftop solar) and more environmentally friendly.
Letter to the editor: There's a more sensible way to discuss housing
Many social, economic, political and environmental forces are prominent in Bozeman when discussing adding new housing stock in existing neighborhoods. The folks directly affected are often referred to as “Not In My Backyard” (NIMBY) adherents. They are comfortable with their community’s characteristics of existing density, street access and parking availability, walkability, open spaces (to some degree), and defined boundaries.
Letter to the editor: Growth policy doesn't always mean hands off
A couple of your recent articles, “Cities: Land use law is too expensive” (BDC, 3/22/2024) and “County commission denies Gateway zoning petition” (BDC, 3/28/2024), signals to me a community-wide need to better understand growth policy and community decision making. In the first article, legislation for planning requirements for growing municipalities is forwarded, but without funding! Are legislators fearful because these planning requirements may suggest taking some rational policy measures?
Letter to the editor: Maybe developments should have environmental impact assessments
Would environmental impact considerations of development projects be in the public interest? Your front-page article on the water recycling plant in Three Forks (BDC, 2/13) emphasizing the operation of its’ wastewater “recycling mechanics”, reminded me of a main one of nature’s water filtration processes, namely by wetlands.
Letter to the editor: Reason for nixing community center weak at best
The front page of Thursday’s BDC (7-20-23) read “Community nixes $102 M community center project” but did not highlight the subsequent pathetic reason of the 4-0 vote. That reason: the recent huge increases in property values “has lit many people’s hair on fire that the two questions would have a difficult time passing.” So what? There are many legitimate reasons on both sides of this issue, but the possibility of failure should not be one of them.
Reason for nixing community center weak at best.
The front page of Thursday’s BDC (7-20-23) read “Community nixes $102 M community center project” but did not highlight the subsequent pathetic reason of the 4-0 vote. That reason: the recent huge increases in property values “has lit many people’s hair on fire that the two questions would have a difficult time passing.” So what? There are many legitimate reasons on both sides of this issue, but the possibility of failure should not be one of them.
Federal, other public workers deserve our thanks
Federal employees provide vital services that benefit Americans every day, yet much of this important work goes unnoticed. We see them when hurricanes strike, floods destroy communities and pandemics spread worldwide. We know that they help land our planes safely and perform inspections to maintain a healthy food and water supply. But for every image you see on TV, thousands more work behind the scenes to keep this country running.
Use your time, money to reflect on what's important
This imposed “quarantine time” produces high anxiety about the future and touches all of us, from our local newspaper with reduced advertising revenue; students, whose plans have been turned upside down; owners and employees of shuttered businesses and so on. This sacrifice is the “fall out” of dealing with the corona virus related public health crisis. It addresses the “public good” (in this case, everyone’s health and welfare), which is paramount.
Those in favor of vaping ban maybe quick to judge
Many strong supporters of their Second Amendment rights may feel disheartened by the Governor’s announcement of a temporary ban on the sale of flavored electronic cigarettes and vaping products as reported on the front page news of my yesterday’s Bozeman Daily Chronicle (“Montana temporarily bans flavored e-cigarettes”, October 9).
Colstrip bill would leave ratepayers holding bag
I was intrigued by the Chronicle article (Feb. 23) on Senate Bill 278 moving through the Legislature at lightning speed. As described and if passed, this bill would give Northwestern the go-ahead to buy more ownership shares in the coal-fired Colstrip plant.
Federal employees being used as political pawns
Representing our local chapter of NARFE, the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, we would like to take a few moments of your time to express our concerns about the current government shutdown. Once again, our country is setting a poor example to future generations as well as to future democracies of the world implying that this country cannot govern itself.
Opportunity knocking or throwing fuel on the fire?
Steve Kirchhoff beat me to the punch in remarking on your front page (Dec. 2) article discussing the opportunity zones proposed for Bozeman. Steve makes four very good points concerning whether or not these subsidies: increase the “public good;” simply enhance the speed and profitability of land development; undermine the goal of increasing our affordable housing stock; and, stimulate below-quality development.
Emerson lawn
Kudos and Caveats: Kudos are in order for the Emerson Center for the Arts and Culture and the 400 citizens who came together to raise $2.2751 million to purchase the remainder of the Emerson Lawn this month. Earlier the Bozeman School Board decided to sell its portion of the lawn to the highest bidder to raise needed funds for school expansion. The Center now hopes to raise an additional $1 million to fully develop the area for music, food, and the arts.
How we face future growth is the main question
Words Matter: Although the title of your article, “To Grow or Not to Grow”, in the Bozeman Chronicle's front page was an attention grabber, it perpetuates a needlessly adversarial relationship and poses the wrong question: there is no question that Bozeman and the county will grow; the only question is what kind of growth would we like to see to maintain our quality of life.
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