Flathead Agency on Aging director Lisa Sheppard gets to keep her job — and to keep doing it in an old auction barn (images) although money is available to build a larger, better facility. For keeping her job, she can thank County Commissioners Cal Scott and Pam Holmquist. For keeping her in the barn, she can thank commissioners Holmquist and Gary Krueger (left). And for having a bullseye pinned on her back for the next six years, she can thank Krueger.
There is some thought — see the Daily InterLake’s 28 April editorial, for example — that by inexplicably torpedoing a grant application and thus delaying, if not sinking, prospects for a new AOA building, which is sorely needed, Holmquist and Krueger were subordinating the needs of the Flathead’s seniors to the economic welfare of the owners of the AOA building, Republican activists who helped on their campaigns. That’s certainly a possibility, but so far no one’s offered any proof of cronyism, let alone proof of criminal activity — and until proof is forthcoming, I’m not signing on to the dirty politics hypothesis.
In my view, ideology, inexperience, a profound lack of political savvy, and temperaments unsuited to holding elective office, most likely explain the bad decisions of Holmquist and Krueger.
When Holmquist moved to deep-six the grant application, she complained that people were trying to influence her decision, that there were threats and rumors. Yes, I’m sure people were trying to influence her: it’s called lobbying, it’s perfectly legal and legitimate, and Holmquist should stop complaining. Listening to the people, and listening honestly and respectfully, is part of her job. And to her credit, she seems to have listened to the chorus of public support for Sheppard’s keeping her job. When Krueger moved to fire Sheppard, Holmquist refused to second the motion. Perhaps she’s learning. I hope so.
At this point, I have less hope for Gary Krueger. Sabotaging the grant application seems related to his expressed belief that the county should consider privatizing Meals on Wheels, an important function of the AOA, although there’s no reason to suppose the current program is inefficient, let alone reason to believe that privatization would benefit seniors. If Krueger wants to improve Meals on Wheels, he should lobby Rep. Steve Daines to get rid of the sequester and start funding the federal government at a humane level.
Cal Scott, reviled by the InterLake and others for his bankruptcy and exaggerated resume, has been the pleasant surprise throughout this ugly business, consistently supporting the AOA and a new building for it. He caught some flak for appearing at an Occupy Kalispell rally in late 2011, but his presence there suggested to me that he had a heart.
I cannot imagine Holmquist or Krueger mustering the courage or wisdom to stand by Depot Park waving a sign reading “Arrest Domestic Terrorists — Start At Wall Street.” In fact, after photographing a frowning Krueger ride in a farm truck in last year’s Independence Day parade in Kalispell (images), I have trouble imagining him smiling. He’s only four months into his six-year term, so cutting him some slack while he learns his job is only fair, but he’s off to a troubling start that raises red flags.
