Boorish behavior from water compact opponents

Having just read Bob Henline’s story “Water Compact Forum Gets Contentious” I feel moved to comment on the sensationalized and somewhat slanted view he presented.

I agree that about 100 people were in attendance, but only about 10 or 15 were acting in a contentious manner.  While most of us were there to hear about the water compact and how it would affect us, there was a group of folks that continually interrupted the presentation while playing a continuous game of “Gotcha” with Mr. Vincent.  Every statement he made became an arguing point that tried to demean his decisions and question his reputation.  No one in the group would yield the floor to the more polite folks that were attempting to ask questions of Mr. Vincent.

Finally the group was shouted down long enough so the rest of us could begin to take part in the meeting, though much of the allotted meeting time was already gone. The questions and comments from that point to the end of the meeting did address my concerns and provided me with a little better understanding of the compact and water issues we Montanans are facing.

The most important point I walked away with is that the compact would affect only four creek drainages in Lincoln County, and we would retain the water rights we correctly have. If the water compact is rejected, we would have to re-litigate our rights to them, possibly in federal court. How often do Montanans win a natural resource case in a federal court?  

Mr. Vincent, just so you know, going into the meeting I was 100 percent against the water compact. Your knowledge of the issues and your attempt to get the information out to us has moved me to a 60/40 stance in favor of the compact.  My reluctance is due to my mistrust of the federal government and their policy of ignoring the constitution and every citizen’s rights.  That being said I would rather work with the state of Montana than with any federal agency.

To the vocal group: Your behavior was boorish and your attempt to prevent the rest of us from participating in this meeting was irritating and childish. Mr. Curtiss, you verbally assaulted a member of the audience because he was attempting to back Mr. Vincent up in the face of the group assault, yet you did nothing to address the snarky behavior and comments of several of the female attendees of your group.

Fair is fair. Or is it?

— John Vignali, Libby