Don't sign secretive Kalispell petition

There's a petition going around Kalispell seeking a public referendum on repealing changes in the city's growth policy.

Our advice to citizens: Don't sign it.

Nowhere on the petition is there any indication as to why the growth policy language should be repealed. Instead the petition wording is basic legal jargon that is no help at all in divining the purpose of the referendum effort.

And the petition organizer refuses to say why she wants the referendum. She similarly refuses to say if the petition effort is backed by any organization.

That's not enough information to make an informed decision.

If we're going to go through the expense of an election to challenge a City Council vote, we need the people who want that election to be up front about their reasons and agenda.

The growth-policy change in question involves land north of Kalispell - where the city doesn't have any direct jurisdiction anyway.

We don't like the secretive way this referendum is being pursued and don't think most Kalispell citizens will either.

From the department of futile regulatory action: Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is proposing to increase the daily catch limit on lake trout in Flathead Lake from 20 fish per day to 50.

The idea is to curb a segment of the lake trout population (fish under 30 inches) that has the greatest impact on native bull trout and cutthroat trout, with a "slot limit" remaining in effect to protect larger, trophy fish.

Well, it might work if the average angler is using trawling nets.

But left to rod and reel, 99 percent of lake trout anglers aren't likely to approach the proposed limit, much less exceed the current limit. Who wants to clean 20 or 50 lake trout anyway?

In all fairness, fisheries managers admit it's not likely. Rather, they say the change is designed to accommodate three fishing tournaments in which some participants just might reach the new catch limit. Good luck anglers!

Good luck might also be the byword for those approaching one of the valley's increasing number of roundabouts. These "traffic calming" devices are fairly common elsewhere, but are not very familiar to most local drivers.

The one between Costco and Lowe's is probably the one that gets the most use, and one of our readers who used it recently advised us that it's time for a roundabout traffic lesson. So here goes:

Car entering the roundabout should yield to those already in the roundabout. But once in the roundabout, keep going until you reach your intended exit. Don't stop to allow oncoming traffic to enter the roundabout, as you have the right-of-way.

If everyone follows these simple rules, there should be fewer accidents and more smiles when you see the sign "Roundabout ahead."