Support the Special Olympics

Inter Lake editorial

This weekend marks a special time for some special athletes.

The 2009 State Winter Games for Special Olympics has opening events Saturday and Sunday followed by competition Monday and Tuesday.

More than 300 athletes are expected to compete in sports ranging from downhill skiing to floor hockey.

The public is invited to observe these special athletes in action, whether at a welcoming event Saturday, the opening ceremonies and parade Sunday afternoon in downtown Whitefish or at the actual competition the next two days at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

As one observer noted, the Special Olympics "are heart-warming to watch. Everybody cheers everyone else on."

The athletes are to be commended, as are all the coaches, organizers and other volunteers who make the Special Olympics happen.

Another group of special athletes is the Flathead Braves wrestling team, which continued its reign at the top of Class AA.

The Braves last weekend chalked up the fourth-straight state championship for Flathead.

To keep the state streak intact, Flathead had to fend off a spirited challenge from Billings Skyview and overcome a small first-day team scoring deficit.

In the end, though, the Braves had three state champions, four second-place finishers and four third-place finishers, plus one wrestler placing fourth, one fifth and three placing sixth.

That was enough to prove once again that the Braves are the best in the state on the wrestling mats.

It's important to maintain a positive outlook about the economy in the months ahead, and the Flathead Valley got a small lift last week when Columbia Falls Aluminum announced it will be able to stay open at least through June.

The company had to negotiate a favorable electricity rate from the Bonneville Power Administration to counteract the effects of falling aluminum prices and increased competition.

Thank goodness that BPA didn't fight common sense. The power agency is one part of the government which has the muscle to spur or hinder the economy with its decisions. We are glad they chose to support Montana jobs, even if it's only for the short term.