Whitefish needs EMS upgrade

Inter Lake editorial

Whitefish residents have the opportunity to establish around-the-clock fire and emergency-medical service by voting in favor of an ongoing assessment to pay for expanded service. Mail-in ballots are due by Aug. 19.

It's always difficult to support new taxes, but this is one that Whitefish citizens should readily embrace. Cities with populations of 10,000 or more are required to provide around-the-clock fire and ambulance service. With a current estimated population of close to 8,000, the resort town is on track to reach the benchmark in the next few years.

We agree with Whitefish City Council member Ryan Friel's take on the proposed levy: "We're not talking about a luxury item; it's safety… It's kind of scary a city this size doesn't have 24/7 service."

A drastic decrease in the number of volunteer firefighters and emergency-service technicians has left Whitefish particularly vulnerable during the evening hours. The department is staffed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with a call-out system during night hours.

It's not an excessive tax. The owner of a home with an assessed value of $300,000 would pay $12.25 a month, the equivalent of about four latte drinks. That's not a high price when it comes to safety and personal well-being.

IF YOU haven't been to the Northwest Montana Fair in a while, you'll be pleasantly surprised this year as a number of new events unfold at the fairgrounds in Kalispell.

Perhaps the most entertaining is the pig wrestling contest slated Friday and Saturday afternoons. Teams of four will have 60 seconds to grab a muddy swine and put it hind-end first into a barrel. The event epitomizes this year's fair theme: "A Squealin' Good Time."

The Kalispell Soroptimists will offer bingo games in air-conditioned comfort in the 4-H building, a wonderful reprieve for folks wanting a break from the typically hot, dry weather this time of year.

Getting to and from the parking lots will be a little more fun this year, too, as the Express Employment Professionals train winds through the grounds, delivering fairgoers to their destinations.

All of your fair favorites will be there - the concerts, rodeo, carnival, demolition derby, delectable fair food and a plethora of exhibits. And your friends will be there, too, so don't miss out. We'll see you at the fair.