Traffic lights on 93 make sense
The Kalispell Planning Board is wisely recommending approval of the Glacier Town Center, but the board split 3-3 on the matter of road access to the development north of Reserve Drive.
The developer has proposed to put three entrances to the commercial and residential project on U.S. 93, and the Department of Transportation has endorsed this plan.
However, some members of the Planning Board insist that the traffic lights will impede traffic and thus harm the ability to travel between Kalispell and Whitefish in 15 minutes. They prefer to see traffic entering and exiting the Town Center through a system of ramps and overpasses.
Perhaps, some day that might make sense. But at a cost of $5 million per interchange, that day is not today. Traffic lights are a much cheaper alternative and accomplish the same thing, getting people on and off the road safely, although possibly making the trip to Whitefish last 16 minutes.
The fact of the matter is that the City Council has already extended the boundary of Kalispell far north of Reserve, and as the city grows our expectations have to change. It is not reasonable to expect a "traffic-light free" zone in the middle of what will become one of the busiest parts of Kalispell.
Intermountain, the Helena-based center for abused and neglected children, has recently made a commitment to the Flathead Valley as the home of a future facility. Now, the Flathead needs to make a similar commitment to help make the project a reality.
The nonprofit agency has purchased a 75-acre site in the Flathead and tonight is holding a holiday gala to spread the message of hope for children to "angels" who are helping with the cause. Although it is too late to participate in the gala, there will be many other opportunities to donate to this good cause.
It's a program that emphasizes the fundamentals. As executive director Jim Fitzgerald says, "What works for children is stability, consistency, correction and nurturing. All of those things - that have gone out of style - are the cornerstone of healthy children."
Intermountain's goal is not to take children away from their families, but to use intervention and prevention to stop neglect and abuse. That's something that we can't expect a government to do, but we know that the community can do.
If you want to help, call Intermountain at 1-800-200-9112.
The Humane Society of Northwest Montana Animal Adoption Center north of Kalispell has stepped up efforts to find homes for a half-dozen dogs and cats that have been at the shelter for up to two years or longer. These animals continuously have been overshadowed by cuter, cuddlier pets, but need a home just the same.
Most of these shelter longtimers simply make a bad first impression, so if you have it in you to adopt a pet that may require a little extra tender loving care, call the shelter at 752-PAWS.