Be polite: Take down your signs

The primary election is over, but political signs still linger along some highways and byways.

Even though Flathead County has eliminated time limits for such signs on land with county zoning — the zoning text amendment was finalized earlier this week — the courteous thing to do wherever political signs have been placed is to remove them in a timely manner.

The relaxation of county zoning regulations to allow political signs at any time was prompted by court cases in other states that have determined that limiting the time period for political signs is unconstitutional because it doesn’t allow free speech.

We don’t want to tread on free speech certainly, but we don’t want signs becoming an eyesore in our lovely valley, either. A week should be plenty of time to round up any remaining signs. They need to come down sooner rather than later.

Campaign winners will just have to make their own mind up about whether leaving the signs up till November will win them more votes, or cost them some they already had.

Scottie Smith gets his diploma

There are so many success stories among the Class of 2014, but one in particular warmed our hearts.

When Flathead senior Scottie Smith couldn’t make it to graduation last Friday night because he was hospitalized with a life-threatening heart condition, Principal Peter Fusaro and guidance counselor Lisa Sears dashed to Kalispell Regional Medical Center and conducted an impromptu graduation ceremony for Smith, just minutes before he was flown to Spokane for further treatment.

After contracting a virus last year that badly damaged his heart, Smith nevertheless forged ahead to complete his school work. He even went to great lengths to mentor one of his best friends so his friend could get his diploma, too.

Now Smith is facing some pretty serious heart surgery. Both his family and school officials have marveled at the boy’s spirit and resilience. That positive attitude puts him at the top of the class in our book.