'It a wonderful' success story

Inter Lake editorial

For as long as anyone can remember, whenever the Inter Lake was doing a story on finance and lending, someone would always say, "Better give Charlie a call."

"Charlie" is Charlie Abell, who for the past 42 years has been president of the Whitefish Credit Union and who knew as much as anyone about what makes the Flathead Valley tick. His story of hard work and good fortune in some ways is reminiscent of the classic movie "It's a Wonderful Life," where Jimmy Stewart's destiny was intertwined around the "Bailey Building & Loan" and the people it served.

For the past 75 years, the Whitefish Credit Union has been helping the little guy - with loans, generous savings accounts, and down-home customer service. Charlie Abell, a native of Whitefish who just turned 70, played a big role in making sure that the business never forgot its small-town roots.

In addition to steering the business for so long, Abell has also been a generous supporter of the community, putting in stints on the Whitefish School board, North Valley Hospital board, Flathead Basin Commission and many more organizations.

Leo Tracy, the credit union's chairman of the board, aptly called Charlie "the heart and soul of the credit union for more than half its existence."

He will be missed, but we wish him well as he begins a well-earned retirement.

IT MAY SEEM strange, but some of us are going to miss the old Blue Building.

The building in Kalispell that houses county offices is getting a $619,000 renovation that includes a new exterior color: tan.

The metal-sided structure was built in 1974 as temporary quarters for a growing county government. Some 35 years later, it's still a vital part of county government, housing departments ranging from motor-vehicle licensing to property taxes.

But the building needs upgrading that includes more insulation and a new exterior.

In a way, the distinctive blue color made the building a landmark. When you told someone you were going to the Blue Building, they knew what it meant.

Now that it will be tan, will we get lost on the way to renew our licenses?