Building support for the ReStore
Recycling enthusiasts looking for good deals on building materials no doubt are thrilled with the grand opening this week of a new Habitat for Humanity ReStore.
The new facility on U.S. 93 South is triple the size of the old ReStore, offering a wide array of deeply discounted building materials, appliances, furniture and household items. It’s one of those proverbial win-win endeavors. Homeowners can lower the cost of their improvement projects and Habitat raises money to help pay for affordable housing for low-income residents.
At its former location the ReStore netted enough money to pay for one home per year. The nonprofit group hopes to double its income from the recycling effort over the next few years to build even more Habitat homes.
If you have leftover building supplies or fixtures that can be reused, why not drop them off at the ReStore?
Congratulations, general!
Kalispell’s own officer and a gentleman took part in the recent cadet graduation at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Maj. Gen. Neil Van Sickle, who turns 98 Saturday, represented the West Point Class of 1938. As the oldest graduate present, he was asked to participate in a number of ceremonies.
Van Sickle originally enlisted in the North Dakota National Guard before receiving his appointment to West Point so long ago. His subsequent 30-year career in the military included flying bomber planes during World War II.
His accomplishments certainly didn’t end when he retired from military service, though. Last year he and co-author Evelyn Rodewald published a book about American Indians and the North American Fur Trade. Van Sickle spent 17 years compiling the research for the book. He’s humble about what he’s done in his long life, but his track record would indicate that perseverance and “stick-to-itiveness” are among his many admirable traits.
No tears shed for Forsyth
At the other end of the scale of humanity, we were sorry to see Jerry Forsyth back in the newspaper, but we were glad this convicted killer was once again denied parole.
Forsyth, who was convicted in 1986 of murdering his wife, Karen, at their Kalispell bowling alley in 1979, has never shown any remorse, and indeed continues to deny involvement in the murder despite abundant evidence to send him away for up to 110 years in the minds of a jury and judge.
We also need to remark on the audacity of Forsyth’s longtime lawyer and sometime girlfriend Ann German, who told the parole board that her community of Libby was excited to have Forsyth move there if he were released.
We won’t presume to speak for Libby, but we will note that we have never heard even one person speak out in defense of Forsyth, nor make a case that he was innocent, except for German and his other lawyers.
Editorials represent the majority opinion of the Daily Inter Lake’s editorial board.