Considering leaving for a more business friendly locale

Dear Editor,

As we enter this election season, I’ve noticed that, regardless of party affiliation, the candidates all talk about the need for less government. As soon as elected they are bombarded by lobbyist and special interest groups to sponsor bills, pass laws. It would appear that the main purposes of the legislators are to find fault with the other political party, argue over money, and pass new laws. How many times have you heard someone say, “There ought to be a law”?

Well, I don’t know about you, but I’ve had enough of these new laws!

I’ve always felt that government was there to help and to guide, not to be an obstacle. Every time I build I run into nothing but obstacles from local, and or state officials. The only department that is always accommodating is the tax assessor’s office. As soon as I am done building, they are right there!

A few years ago I noticed that all the small houses in town were built post WWII and had out lived their life expectancy. Many were being torn down, and nobody was replacing them. Was there a niche in the market that others were missing? After checking the covenants and zoning on my property and finding no restrictions, I built 3 small one bedroom cabins. Nobody ever said anything directly to me, but I heard rumors that there was mumbling at the County that I should have gotten approval from the County Planning Board, and applied to the State for a new sub-division.

Since then the small house market has blossomed. I find many articles in the newspaper and on the web about small houses, micro houses, mini houses. There is even a reality show “Tiny House Nation” on A&E network.

Last fall I decided to build 4 more houses two in 2014 and 2 more in 2015. All I’m doing is building four small cabins. Should be simple, right? I started last fall by calling county sanitarian to discuss sewer and water permits. After many phone calls and leaving messages to stop and see me when he was in town, I received a letter from him this spring stating he could not help me and referred me to the State of Montana Dept. of Environmental Quality. The DEQ told me I needed to fill out a new sub division application due to a new law that took effect Jan 1, 2014 that had been passed by the legislature to control the growth of “man camps” in eastern Montana. Nobody at the state or local government has been able to provide me with a copy of, or code for this mysterious “man camp” law. This is the same application process that a developer would use to develop a new multi-million dollar sub-division. After filling out the application, I am told that I need local approval of the county sanitarian, who refuses to help me, refuses to return phone calls, and feeds erroneous and false information to the Department of Environmental Quality before they can approve the application. When I finally get a hold of the county sanitarian, his response was, “I told you to hire an engineer.” I must admit that I was not very professional during this conversation and owe an apology for my rude behavior.

After consulting with the county commissioners, they set up a meeting with the county sanitarian, planning board and me. Finally, I’m able to get to talk with the sanitarian.

What I learned from this meeting?

1. Thou shall not be silly enough to think that you have any rights as a property owner. Even if your taxes are paid. You need big brother’s approval to dig a post hole.

2. Thou shall not be foolish enough to think that county or state government is there to help.

3. Thou shall not be naive enough to think of doing anything without hiring an engineer, architect, lawyer and consultants. ”It’s just the cost of doing business”.

4. The most simple of projects quickly become cost prohibitive.

5. We don’t need to worry about building affordable housing; we have government subsidizes housing for that.

I’ve hired an engineer to design the septic and water system, ground water studies, and certify that current septic systems are functioning and meet code, including a septic system that was installed three years ago that was not only approved by the local sanitarian, but he sold me the plans.

Anybody of average intelligence, who can read, can read the state’s rules on septic systems and with a little help from the local sanitation dept. can install a safe functioning system.

I’m seriously considering packing up and moving to California. Last week I saw an ad on late night TV promoting their low taxes, and business friendly environment.

Duane Murray

Malta