Is it a lawsuit? How is the city insured?

Rehberg's righteous outrage at Billings' firefighters? (0.00 / 0)

It is my understanding that Rehberg's land that suffered "irreparable harm" was nothing more than scrubland populated mostly by sagebrush and other noxious weeds.  Trees, sagebrush and most certainly, noxious weeds, always return.  His land was NOT permanently damaged.  Guess he and his wife just want to take more money from the county's insurers, and ultimately the voting taxpayers.  Just gotta keep the balance up on the old bank accounts, and campaign warchests.

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by: Gypsy @ Wed Jul 14, 2010 at 20:01:41 PM UTC

I've been up on Rehberg's Ranch (0.00 / 0)

his wife gave me the full tour, included the as-of-yet undeveloped land (where, at the time, they were touting a golf course - which hasn't happened because they didn't take into account that they didn't have the water to do it).

The developed lands were nice (and at the time there were undeveloped lots).  The land that had yet to be subdivided was a bunch of sagebrush-stuffed lichen-covered coulees, which, while scenic and interesting, was going to present some difficulties for the design of the other phases (words from his wife's mouth).

So they poorly planned and touted a golf course that isn't to be (because of the lack of ability to claim the water needed)...so now they feel they gotta recover some of the loss of this down turned market and their poor decisions.

The nations 23rd riches congressperson doesn't have enough - he's gotta take it from the citizens of Montana.

And let's be clear - which is the point of Missoula Councilperson Jason Wiener's clarification to Rehberg - Billings is self-insured, much like most communities in the state - so if he collects off of Billings, it will be through the co-operative insurance pool of Montana cities and town...and premiums of each city and town in that cooperative will go up, and in turn, each and every tax payer in the state will pay more of their tax dollars into meeting those increased premiums.

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by: jhwygirl @ Thu Jul 15, 2010 at 01:22:19 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

point of clarification (0.00 / 0)

According to his statement, Richy Rehberg went to the city to extend the statute of limitations for filing an insurance claim on the "damage" that supposedly occured to his land during the fire. When the City refused to extend that limitation (I question whether the city even has that capability given what I have seen of hte MMIA), he filed a lawsuit against the firefighters to recover his "damages". Further, first he says that he doesn't blame the firefighters, then he goes on to say he does blame the firefighters.

This looks no different to me than Conman Burns's comments to the firefighters back in 2008. It appears rambling, self serving and without merit. Expect a great deal of spin control and microphone time trying to downplay this blatent grab for money (as if he needs more..)

I am completely disgusted with Rehberg at this point. His lack of representation for the people of Montana, his self serving and inept use of his office to further his own wealth and his complete failure to be an effective member of Congress demands that he be replaced.

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by: moorcatavalon @ Wed Jul 14, 2010 at 20:41:53 PM UTC

I've seen Dopey's property. (0.00 / 0)

Just  HOW  much damage can one collect off scrubb, beetle-kill pine and some  assorted sage?  What IS the damage amount that Dopey seeks?  I  still don't get it.  To Dopey, the treasure in treasure state is apparently scrub pine!

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by: Larry Kralj, Environmental Rangers! @ Wed Jul 14, 2010 at 23:33:54 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Just like Judy (0.00 / 0)

These "tort reform" Republicans sure seem always ready to lawyer-up when there's a buck to be made off the public. Remember Judy Martz, who got an $80,000 settlement from an airline for a "hard landing" that hurt her bum?
The GOP's always crying about term limits, too. Let's see if they limit Rehberg's.

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by: JAYoung @ Wed Jul 14, 2010 at 23:42:40 PM UTC

This is a non-issue guys - (0.00 / 0)

You guys obviously don't know the City of Billings.

Google up the City of Billings, add in the word lawsuit, and you'll see what happens here.

If the city screws up, and you call them on it, their response is "Just Sue Us."

And people do. And the city loses. Denny has a legitimate complaint.

I'm sure you're hoping that this or some other non-issue will help the campaign of Dennis McDonald, but it's already DOA.  

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by: Eric Coobs @ Thu Jul 15, 2010 at 01:08:28 AM UTC

of course it is doa eric (0.00 / 0)

and we all know that it is because you care enough to defend your rich friend and his lawyer....

oh wait. if you weren't worried i guess you would just stay silent about it and hope it goes away.

smoke=fire.  

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by: problembear @ Thu Jul 15, 2010 at 02:16:50 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

jed - take a look at your last sentence in first paragraph... (0.00 / 0)

....made whole when they have been harmed by a municipality.

this is a patently false statement at best. no self-respecting judge in the state of montana blames those who come to one's aid when

lightening and sleeper fires harmed the rehberg scablands.

billings firefighters put it out before it consumed homes or cost any lives in high wind, high temperatures and with no help from the ranch owner. and you have the gall to call that harm?

are you insane? or just ignorant of fire behavior?

 

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by: problembear @ Thu Jul 15, 2010 at 02:40:57 AM UTC

here's how wild fire experts view it..... (0.00 / 0)

http://wildfiretoday.com/2010/...

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by: problembear @ Thu Jul 15, 2010 at 03:00:59 AM UTC