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City Council needs to listen to the people about roadways

I am writing about the proposal to reduce the Main Street traffic lanes. It seems like the City Council asked the Main Street businesses what they would like, but they have not asked the rest of the Kalispell residents.

I have asked many people what they think and overwhelmingly they do not want three lanes on Main Street. The street is already congested at 5 p.m., when school gets out, and during the summer.

We do not want traffic congestion as is already found on East Reserve Street. The highway department and the county commissioners are right about needing four lanes of traffic all around the courthouse. Put a walkway under or over the street, if needed. The city should keep their noses out of private businesses and quit subsidizing them. The Main Street properties are way overvalued. The taxes should be lowered instead of adding a tax increment district.

The city has already wasted $2 million for Streetscape and money for a deer statue. The bypass was supposed to save Main Street, too. If there were places to park, people would be more likely to visit the Main Street businesses. Does the City Council ever take the residents’ wishes into consideration?

Maybe they should start calling the people in their wards. It seems like the City Council serves only to agree with the planners and raise our taxes whenever possible. Do we have a city manager or do the planners run Kalispell?

Please give us a break. I want to be able to drive from my grocery store in South Kalispell to my doctor’s office in North Kalispell without going a mile and a half out of my way to use the bypass and without stopping at every light on Main and waiting through the Main and Idaho Street light twice. —Rhonda M. Overday, Kalispell

Defnding right to ‘take a knee’

Whatever happened to Thomas Paine? The uproar over people kneeling for the national anthem is beyond ridiculous. Our soldiers fight, and die, so that people have just that right. I myself always stand, place my hand over my heart and attempt to sing during the playing of our anthem. But if someone wants to take a knee they have the right to do it.

If Thomas Paine were alive today I am sure that he would say something to the effect of “I disagree with your kneeling but I will defend to my death your right to do it.” And besides, the players are not the only ones showing disrespect. If you ever watch the fans as the camera pans the crowd you will see many of them talking, laughing or eating hot dogs. They are wrong too — but they have that right. Thank you, soldiers, for the freedom that we enjoy. —Jeff Van Fleet, Kalispell

Candidate says thanks to voters

I would like to thank the voters who supported my bid to represent Ward 3 on the Kalispell City Council. I look forward to the opportunity to represent them and all of my Kalispell neighbors. I will be a voice that will advocate for fair regulations and strategic thinking. Ultimately, I want to make sure that Kalispell works for business and citizens to create sustainable economic opportunities rather than create barriers that slow down growth.

I believe that we can leverage growth to pay for growth and make room for development to flourish in our core and downtown. I believe that City Hall needs to take the lead in our growth plans, to include businesses in these decisions and then get out of the way. I will work to make sure the council is decisive and articulate so that Kalispell can flourish.

I learned a lot from my neighbors as I campaigned. People are working hard to make Kalispell an awesome town. I saw this from the hockey parents working to upgrade the Woodland Park rink to the business owners downtown who have invested to restore and preserve their buildings. I believe that the city of Kalispell can focus this enthusiasm to make even better opportunities for Kalispell.

So thank you again to neighbors who believe in me and believe in a greater Kalispell. I would also like to thank Jim Atkinson for all of his years of superb service to Kalispell. Jim will leave big shoes to fill; I hope to work as hard as him for the betterment of our town. And to Karlene Osorio-Khor for her years of civic service to Kalispell. I am looking forward to the opportunity to represent them and to work with all residents to keep Kalispell the best place in Montana. —Kyle Waterman, Kalispell

Zinke wrong about loyalty

In regard to the Sept. 27 front page article “Interior chief criticized over employee loyalty comments”:

Loyalty of employees should not be earned by either the president of the United States or the secretary of the interior. Loyalty is demanded ... for all employees of government ... to our country.

The current administration is attempting to change the mission of the Interior Department from “stewardship” of our public lands to “reform regulations” that benefit short-term business income.

From the department website:

“President Trump has made it a goal of his administration to reform regulatory requirements that negatively impact our economy and do little to protect the environment.”

Of course, business wants to exploit our natural resources for their profits, but at the expense of irreparable harm to our public lands.

From the department website:

President Theodore Roosevelt said: “We have fallen heirs to the most glorious heritage a people ever received, and each one must do his part if we wish to show that the nation is worthy of its good fortune.”

I see the 30 percent of the “disloyal” employees to Mr. Zinke as being 100 percent loyal to the original mission of the Department of Interior and to the United States government. —Susan Repa, Lakeside

Commissioner Mitchell must go

I have thought long and hard on the subject that I am about to bring up. That subject is our county commissioner Phil Mitchell. I am disgusted by his behavior and his arrogance! His actions concerning his destruction of public property and his reactions since are, dare I say, deplorable?

He ADMITTED doing the crime but has the unmitigated gall to appear in court and plead not guilty. Just exactly who do you think you are, Mr. Mitchell? Shame on you! Do you not have an ounce of self-esteem or do you have not too much. You, sir, are making a mockery of not only yourself and your position in the community but also our justice system. We live in a society that asks us to be law-abiding; take care of those we can, when we can; to do good and not harm. Your behavior flies in the face of law-abiding citizens and those that DO accept their mistakes and face up to the consequences. Is that not how we raise our childeren?

What on this earth makes you think, feel and behave like you are above these basic life skills. I think we all learn those skills in kindergarten! Be the man you claim to be and resign from your position. I would love to see an honest, trustworthy person in your place. —Ann Lee, Whitefish