Ins and outs of the roundabout

Some people think the roundabout near Glacier High School is a round hole in a square peg - in other words that it is the wrong solution to the traffic problem there.

Maybe so. We won't really know until the high school opens and normal traffic levels are experienced.

But the roundabout at least has the benefit of forcing everyone, large trucks included, to slow down when entering the intersection. That seems to offer some fundamental improvement in safety.

Just remember the simple rules. Slow down when approaching the roundabout, then yield to oncoming traffic. Enter the roundabout by turning right and proceed to the exit which will get you where you need to go.

Even though it's new to many of us, it's not terribly difficult, and we think the community will be able to make the adjustment with relative ease.

The city of Whitefish loses a wealth of insight and information as Mayor Andy Feury steps down to focus on his business in China. Feury's leadership has guided the resort town through years and years of challenging growth issues. He had a knack for cutting to the chase, for helping the City Council see the big picture in projects bogged down by controversy.

Feury has had a hand in the completion of many Whitefish projects, and it was during his time on the council and as mayor that the city joined forces with local philanthropists numerous times for successful public-private partnerships that have become the envy of cities throughout Montana.

We wish Feury well on his overseas venture and know his heart will remain in Whitefish. Once he returns, we expect he'll be on the forefront of Whitefish improvements again in some way or another.

It's been a tumultuous year for the county animal shelter, but slowly progress is being made in the wake of the county commissioners' reorganization of the facility and staff several months ago. Like many local businesses, the shelter has been plagued with staffing issues, but now is on the verge of getting new employees up to speed.

A new animal control advisory board has been formed to help with the shelter also. That's a step in the right direction. City-County Health Director Joe Russell has been overseeing the reorganization and has a track record of success in the health department that we believe will carry over to his shelter duties.

Ultimately, every pet owner in the Flathead has a hand in the success of the animal shelter. Taking responsibility for timely spaying and neutering is the first important step toward curbing the number of dogs and cats that end up at the shelter.