Timber counties' funding at risk

A major chunk of federal money is in doubt this year as Congress considers whether to reauthorize a law that distributes money to counties that include federal land.

The payments added up to $1.2 million in Flathead County and $4.9 million in Lincoln County last year, with the money going toward road operations and schools.

The federal funding makes up one-fifth of Flathead County's road budget and accounts for all of Lincoln County's road budget.

The money was designed to compensate counties where much or most of the land base was in federal hands, leaving limited room for economic and tax-base development.

Now the money - $490 million nationwide - may be in jeopardy as Congress considers spending priorities in a tight budget year.

This is important money for roads and schools in Northwest Montana and we hope Congress finds a way to keep the money flowing to timber counties.

A community swimming pool has long been talked about and dreamed of for Whitefish.

Next week the dreams come true when the doors open for the Wave, Whitefish's impressive $7 million aquatic and fitness center.

Actually, Whitefish gets three community pools in the Wave, plus a lot more: an indoor waterslide, full gymnasium and complete fitness facility, among many other amenities.

This newest addition to the Flathead Valley fitness scene is another testament to the community generosity of people in and around Whitefish.

To get the Wave rolling required a fund-raising campaign for $4 million - and it took only a year and a half for donors both large and small to meet that goal.

When the Wave opens on Feb. 19, it will be a testament to the community support that has come to define Whitefish.

The swirl of controversy surrounding Kalispell's Kala French seems to be a bit too much politicizing of the situation of Montana's student representative on the Board of Regents.

French, a student at Montana State University, has been targeted by University of Montana students, Gov. Brian Schweitzer and others over her regent duty and lobbying job for the Montana Petroleum Marketers Association.

Some of the rhetoric over ethics appears to be not just overblown but downright inaccurate, and a lot of the furor appears to be based on partisan politics (French, a Republican, was nominated by a Republican governor, and much of the opposition to her appointment comes from Democrats).

What's missing from most of the debate is consideration of what kind of job French has been doing as a regent.

Let's hope that when Kala gets her say today before a state Senate committee, the focus will be on real issues.