Why does Thompson Falls need a growth policy?

I am at a loss as to why Thompson Falls needs a “growth policy.” What is it that is being planned out of view of the public that makes such a thing so dreadfully and drastically “important” to a city as small as this?

I am inclined to oppose such a thing, because I know from experience in several other places throughout my life that such “policies” invariably lead to zoning and other forms of dictatorship by a few who want to tell everyone else what to do. All of which cost the tax-paying members of the community more in taxes and inconveniences (I do not include those hired to administer such things because they do not really pay any taxes, nor even produce any thing other than space filling at desks — all of which from their supposed taxes to their office furniture).

Please consider that such policies also invariably lead to increased taxes — property especially (and in MT, cities are entitled to enact sales taxes as well, which we do not since there is already a “mil” process in place — some of which we who pay them are NOT permitted to vote for or against).

All these taxes invariably adversely affect those who can least afford them — those on fixed incomes and those not making sufficient “discretionary funds” — unlike many government employees who make as much as the County Attorney’s $96,000 per year, for example ... Most people earn less than a quarter of that — and have families to raise by their low wages!

Are you planning to re-open the lumber mill after annexing it? Create factories and re-development “zone” (Main Street group’s dream)? Just what are the REAL reasons for such a thing? Some on the council have recently returned college-grads who need jobs here at home so they won’t live in their parents’ basements?

Then, there will be the “multitude of new offices erected” and “swarms of officers sent hither to harass our people, and eat out their substance” — one, if not the most important complaint that began a revolution in 1776 ... [that latter reference to the “tithe” of food and other “produce” stolen by the king’s minions to pay for their own jobs as well as provide food for the “standing armies” surrounding the colonies ...

Please consider wisely what you propose. Once bureaucracies are formed, the structures and offices erected, they rarely (if ever) are dismantled — and there will be pressure from within those halls to retain them — even if they prove expensive and/or unnecessary, or as so often happens redundantly officious, or operate in the red ...

Thank you for considering my thoughts on this important issue. Many of us do NOT want more government, and we are unwilling to exchange “a little liberty” for it.

— Jim Greaves, Thompson Falls