Western governors coming to Whitefish
Whitefish later this month is hosting 22 U.S. governors representing 19 western states and three U.S. territories, along with Canadian premiers.
The Western Governors Association’s 100th anniversary meeting on June 27-29 coincides with the centennial of Glacier National Park.
Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer, who lived in Whitefish before he left for the governor’s mansion in Helena, is chairman of the association.
Among the notable personalities expected to show up in Whitefish are California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenneger, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer.
Twelve of the governors are Republicans and nine are Democrats. The governor of Northern Mariana Islands is from the Covenant Party. American Samoa and Guam also are represented.
“The challenges we face as a region are considerable, but not insurmountable,” Schweitzer said in a news release. “We will examine innovative programs, strategies, partnerships and technologies that are working and how they could be replicated or modified to fit the needs of our very different states — from the smallest to the largest.”
The goal of the association, which also invites Canadian premiers to its annual conferences, is to advance the role of western states in the federal system, address important policy and governance issues in the West, and strengthen social and economic ties.
This is accomplished by developing and communicating regional policy, providing a leadership forum, building regional capacity to help governors manage their resources more efficiently, conducting research, forming coalitions and partnerships, and building public understanding and support for these policy positions.
The 2010 annual meeting is titled “100 Years of Common Ground.” Among the issues vital to the West that will be discussed are smart water management over the next 50 years, improving electrical transmission lines as the region addresses climate change issues, and working across borders to conserve landscapes.
Governors and other participants will meet at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center at Whitefish Middle School.
The gathering will convene in the auditorium on Sunday, June 27, at 1 p.m. with the posting of colors by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Veterans Honor Guard and the singing of the National Anthem by Alpine Theatre Project founders Betsi Morrison and Luke Walrath.
Following opening ceremonies, the first speaker on June 27 is Phil Jackson, the coach of the Los Angeles Lakers who has a home in the Flathead Valley.
Governors, dignitaries and their support staff also will have an opportunity to enjoy the Flathead’s scenic vistas during a number of scheduled events, including a charity train ride from Whitefish to East Glacier on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. that will benefit the Glacier National Park Fund’s centennial campaign.
A shorter “Sunset Dessert” train ride from Whitefish to West Glacier will take place the next day from 7 to 9:30 p.m.
Other activities include a movie screening about work by the National Parks Conservation Association and a wildlife tour on Tuesday morning.
On the Web:
www.westgov.org