Glacier Bank does itself proud
Inter Lake editorial
Glacier Bank is in the news again, and as usual it's good news.
This time, there was actually a double shot of good news on the front page of the Inter Lake about "the little bank that could." Turns out that our home-grown financial institution has been named the best bank in the country by Bank Director magazine.
That's certainly a source of pride for everyone associated with the bank, but perhaps of more significance to the average citizen is that second bit of good news - Glacier Bank just turned down $127 million in bailout money from the federal government.
That was partly just a practical business decision; the money came with too high a price tag.
But it is also a philosophical decision we hope is studied widely. As Bank president Mick Blodnick explained, taking the money would have obligated Glacier Bank to let the federal government call the shots on business policies and even become a shareholder.
"We just never could get comfortable with getting our arms around … how much the government was going to require," Blodnick said.
Good for them. We hope no one else will get too comfortable with the idea of more government intrusion into the free market either.
Not all the business of the Montana Legislature involves big-dollar, budgetary issues.
Some legislation is simple yet justified nonetheless.
That's the case with bills proposed by Flathead Valley Reps. Jon Sonju and Mark Blasdel to dedicate portions of U.S. 2 to fallen Montana Highway Patrol troopers.
The highway designations would honor Trooper David Graham, who died just north of Kalispell in 2007, and Trooper Evan Schneider, who died near Bad Rock Canyon in 2008.
Graham and Schneider are among the six Montana Highway Patrol officers who died in the line of duty since the patrol was founded in 1935.
It would be a simple and fitting reminder of their sacrifices to post signs in memory of Schneider and Graham.
Whitefish will be hopping this weekend as the resort town celebrates its 50th annual Winter Carnival. For five decades community leaders have tirelessly put together a worthy festival to chase away the winter blues for the entire Flathead Valley.
We're told that the annual Whitefish celebration is one of the oldest winter carnivals in the country. This year's theme, "Fables, Frivolity and Fairytales," plays homage to the playful legend around which the event is based. Where else would we find characters like King Ullr and a band of abominable snowmen called Yetis?
If you haven't taken in carnival activities lately, this is a great year to rekindle your carnival spirit. You might even wind up being part of history. Filmmaker Adam Pitman of Whitefish is making sure the Whitefish Winter Carnival lives on through a documentary he and Jake Cook are making in conjunction with Stumptown Historical Society.
In addition to filming the activities of this year's 50th annual carnival, Pitman and Cook are retracing the history of the event and interviewing old-timers who have been an integral part of the celebration. A worthy way to celebrate the mid-century mark.
Congratulations, Whitefish, and thanks for making our spirits a little brighter during a very gray time of year.