The issues between the neighbors on Woolman Street regarding the demolition only escalated because of a lack of written and comprehensive procedures clearly called out in black and white.
Principle #5 of my campaign is: GOVERNMENT HOUSE IN ORDER - Butte-Silver Bow must take care of their own house first. Procedures, information, departments must all have their own housekeeping in order. Disjointed efforts need to be consolidated into one-stop shopping for Butte citizens in providing services to assist their efforts.
The situation with the Woolman demolition and concerns between the two neighbors would have been diminished if the requirements for demolitions - including bonding, insurance and procedures - were clear to all concerned.
A detailed form to be filled out that fully covers the applicant's intent is a priority. This would spell out the execution of the work, mapping requirements, listing of qualified personnel, etc. This document would become the internal document "ONE STOP SHOP" that would be sent internally through BSB for various department review. Now, the applicant goes department to department for disjointed information.
Once reviewed. the document would be made available to the public for review and comment.
Had this been done, the adjacent property owner would have been allowed proper time to ask questions and get any assurances needed.
Clearly stated steps such as these, and adequate periods to review and comment, are STANDARD in procedures of basic State and Federal government.
This unfortunate situation was made a preservation folly by the press, when demolition was never the issue. It was the concerns of the neighbor for his property, which were ignored by BSB. All sides in such a situation need to be in agreement and respect each other. This did not remotely happen, and this needs to change.
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