Veis calls on Corrector editor to name self

Veis calls on Corrector editor to name self

Tim Leeds

Havre City Council member Gerry Veis, speaking at Monday's meeting as a member of the public, took issue with an anonymous blog that prints opinions on local issues, and speculated that a member of city government contributes to the blog.

"I wonder if this person isn't one of us, " council member Gerry Veis said about a Jan. 20 post on the Havre Daily Corrector website.

The post bashed the council for approving using state Community Transportation Enhancement Program funds to pay for repairs to the sidewalks at the Atrium Mall.

Veis said he is certain that no one in the audience at the meeting where that was approved — or at Monday's meeting — is the editor or a contributing editor to the blog. But someone sitting at the front of the room could be, he said.

He said that the conservative anonymous blog, which frequently criticizes public officials, does not fit into the idea of the United States of America.

"The one thing that I truly believe is that the individuals who wrote our Declaration of Independence wrote our U. S. Constitution they signed their name to something because they had some b**ls, and there's a big difference on that, " Veis said.

He said that he is willing to fight alongside U. S. citizens if needed, but not if they refuse to sign their names.

"They can get the hell out of this country, because I'm not going to war with them, because they're not going to be at my back, " he said.

The Corrector speculated that Veis had tried to push the action through quickly so he could go home and watch Monday Night Football on television.

"Point in question, " Veis said, "this meeting was on Tuesday night. "

He noted that the Corrector congratulated Council members Allen "Woody" Woodwick and Andrew Brekke for expressing concerns and voting against the proposal. Veis told them that their discussion and votes were the proper action.

"If you have those thoughts you should voice them, " Veis said.

He added that part of the action was the owners of the Atrium and its sidewalks using the proper channel — they came to the council to request using the funds, as anyone could do.

After Veis made his comments on the blog, Havre Mayor Tim Solomon added that he does not think an anonymous blog should even be acknowledged.

"It shouldn't be read out to the public, " Solomon said.

Havre City Council member Gerry Veis, speaking at Monday's meeting as a member of the public, took issue with an anonymous blog that prints opinions on local issues, and speculated that a member of city government contributes to the blog.

"I wonder if this person isn't one of us, " council member Gerry Veis said about a Jan. 20 post on the Havre Daily Corrector website.

The post bashed the council for approving using state Community Transportation Enhancement Program funds to pay for repairs to the sidewalks at the Atrium Mall.

Veis said he is certain that no one in the audience at the meeting where that was approved — or at Monday's meeting — is the editor or a contributing editor to the blog. But someone sitting at the front of the room could be, he said.

He said that the conservative anonymous blog, which frequently criticizes public officials, does not fit into the idea of the United States of America.

"The one thing that I truly believe is that the individuals who wrote our Declaration of Independence wrote our U. S. Constitution they signed their name to something because they had some b**ls, and there's a big difference on that, " Veis said.

He said that he is willing to fight alongside U. S. citizens if needed, but not if they refuse to sign their names.

"They can get the hell out of this country, because I'm not going to war with them, because they're not going to be at my back, " he said.

The Corrector speculated that Veis had tried to push the action through quickly so he could go home and watch Monday Night Football on television.

"Point in question, " Veis said, "this meeting was on Tuesday night. "

He noted that the Corrector congratulated Council members Allen "Woody" Woodwick and Andrew Brekke for expressing concerns and voting against the proposal. Veis told them that their discussion and votes were the proper action.

"If you have those thoughts you should voice them, " Veis said.

He added that part of the action was the owners of the Atrium and its sidewalks using the proper channel — they came to the council to request using the funds, as anyone could do.

After Veis made his comments on the blog, Havre Mayor Tim Solomon added that he does not think an anonymous blog should even be acknowledged.

"It shouldn't be read out to the public, " Solomon said.