| Most Montanans are familiar with the distinctive sandstone rimrock that overlooks the City of Billings. The rocky bluffs are part of a unique landmark that flank the north end of the Magic City.
But Congressman Dennis Rehberg is quick to point out that the rims don't belong to the people of Billings.
"I actually own the rims that overlook the city," Rehberg told a crowd of supporters last winter. "When you're driving up Shiloh Road you're looking at my rims."
Watch it for yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
Rehberg owns a lot of land, that's true. That's why he's one of the wealthiest members of Congress.
But his claim the rims are his? That's interesting, given the rims are home to private houses, sprawling Zimmerman Park (owned by the people of Yellowstone County) and Swords Park (owned by the people of the City of Billings).
So exactly how much of the rims does Dennis Rehberg own? How much of it has been subdivided like other ex-ranching land he owns?
Rehberg says of his rims, "I've been paying taxes on it for five generations."
That's about how long Billings taxpayers have been paying firefighters to respond to dangerous emergencies, like the 2008 wildfire that swept through his subdivision. Now Rehberg is suing Billings firefighters because he thinks they breached their "duty of care."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
You can read the entire complaint here: http://tinyurl.com/26crthv. The City of Billings, of course, disputes the lawsuit.
Apparently Dennis Rehberg is feeling the heat, because he later sent out a statement claiming he has "deepest respect for firefighters and the dangerous work they do."
That's a nice thing to tell voters when you're feeling the heat. But like his claim of owning the rims, it rings hollow, doesn't it? |
