Definition of Stonewalling:
Wikipedia: Stonewalling is a refusal to communicate or cooperate. Tactics in stonewalling include giving sparse, vague responses; deflecting; refusing to answer questions; and responding to questions with additional questions.
Merriam-Webster: to be uncooperative, obstructive, or evasive
Cambridge Dictionary: to stop a discussion from developing by refusing to answer questions or by talking in such a way that you prevent other people from giving their opinions:
Citizens of Flathead County – Below are examples of what I believe constitutes stonewalling by Flathead County officials in response to my Community Decay complaint:
The Flathead County Commissioners, Pam Holmquist, Randy Brodehl, and Brad Abell have not answered my emails and letters requesting a discussion about the 5-year lapse in resolving Community Decay Violation complaint FCD-21-26. See examples on “The Story” page for January 2024, January 28, 2025, March 5, 2025, August 13, 2025, September 2, 2025,
The Flathead County Administrator, Pete Melnick, declined my request to schedule a public discussion meeting with the County Commissioners. I believe his stated rationale for the denial was inconsistent with Montana open meeting requirements. When I responded explaining why I believed a limited-scope public discussion was appropriate, he did not reply. See example on ‘The Story’ page for February 2, 2026.
The Flathead County Sheriff, Brian Heino, has not responded to my written request to investigate whether the County Commissioners’ actions raise questions under MCA 45-7-401 regarding supervision of county offices. See examples on ‘The Story’ page for September 17, 2025, and October 2, 2025.
The Flathead County Attorney Travis Ahner did not respond to my letter requesting status of Community Decay Violation complaint FCD-21-26, which Planning & Zoning Department Manager Mr. Erik Mack stated had been sent to his office. See example on “The Story” page for November 20, 2025.
The Flathead County Planning & Zoning Department Code Compliance Technician Mr. Jared Schroeder has not responded to my letter following our one-on-one meeting, in which I advised him that I believe his interpretation of the abatement rules in Ordinance No. 6 does not align with the ordinance language. See example on ‘The Story’ page for June 13, 2025.
The Flathead County Planning & Zoning Department Director Erik Mack declined my request for a 20-30 minute meeting to discuss a proposed solution to the five-year delay in resolving Community Decay Violation Complaint FCD-21-26, stating the matter had been forwarded to the County Attorney’s Office. However, the County Attorney’s Office has not acknowledged involvement (see “The Story” page for November 20, 2025). See Mr. Mack email on “The Story” page for February 10/11, 2026. This is a classic stonewalling tactic of redirection.
Management by Avoidance:
The pattern in which separate government departments, without coordination, independently choose to avoid accountability, avoid citizen/public access, and avoid consequence — each acting in its own interest, producing the same result of obstruction without the necessity of conspiracy.
See an example on “The Story” page for March 9, 2026.
For detailed chronology and supporting documentation of each request listed above, please see the referenced dates on ‘The Story’ page. Copies of correspondence are available upon request.
Legal Disclaimer: This page documents instances where I requested responses, meetings, or action from Flathead County officials regarding Community Decay Violation complaint FCD-21-26, and did not receive replies. My characterization of these non-responses as ‘stonewalling’ reflects my personal interpretation based on the dictionary definitions provided below.
References to Montana statutes represent questions I raised with authorities—not legal conclusions. I am not an attorney. Nothing on this page asserts that any individual has committed a crime or violated ethical rules. Readers should review the full correspondence on “The Story” page and reach their own conclusions.