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A time for caution, faith

My family and I moved to this beautiful valley last fall in hopes to escape an increasingly crime-ridden area of southern Oregon. We dealt with lack of law enforcement, an increasing population of transients, thieves and drug addicts. We have three young boys who we wouldn’t even let play in our front yard for fear of them picking up a used needle in the street, or being harassed by a transient on drugs or drunk.

We were thrilled when my husband was offered a job here in Kalispell. Finally, we could let our kids ride their bikes in the street and impose a strict curfew of “when the streetlights come on.” Similar to the childhood my husband and I both had.

In light of recent events here, I have to say that I’m feeling a wide range of conflicting emotions. I’m fearful for my children because we have absolutely no information coming from law enforcement regarding the nature of these threats. All we know is that “it’s a credible threat, the FBI is involved, our kids were targeted and threatened and we have persons of interest.” And in all honesty, I am angry. I’m angry that our children were threatened in our beautiful valley. I’m angry that I now have to carry my gun again in case I do need to protect myself or my children.

That was the first thing my husband did yesterday. He came home for lunch, unlocked our gun safe, loaded my gun, handed it to me and said, “You will not go anywhere without taking your gun with you until they figure out what’s going on.” It was very sobering.

I had to have a talk with my oldest son about what was happening. Explain what happened in the Spokane area the other day. I explained the Columbine shooting when I was a teenager, the Sandy Hook shooting when he was a toddler. I cried. He just looked at me with his sweet face and asked, “But Mom, why did those people do those things?” I couldn’t answer him. I just had to chip away at a part of his childhood innocence by saying, “Son, it’s a very scary world today and we don’t know why bad things happen. We just need to be the good in light of the bad.”

I’m anxious to see the perpetrator caught. I want our kids to feel safe to go to school again. I have faith in our law-enforcement agencies and I am so grateful to them for making the decision to keep our kids safe. Until then, I am constantly searching for new updates on the whole situation. —Tami Fahey-Lane, Kalispell

Public, police would benefit from more info

As a parent of four kids aging from 1 to 19, I’ve been keeping close tabs on the situation at hand in our local schools. Social media popped off yesterday with rumor after rumor and people were fast to spread the word. Credible or not, the hysteria spread, and I can only speculate caused unnecessary disruption for the law enforcement investigating.

It seemed like people were forgetting to check the updated official posts and went straight to perpetuating the cycle of anger and panic. Several times during the day, I had to explain that fear of what could be is creating chaos and, ultimately, keeping the police from being able to do the job they are trying to do. I told my children they are not to repeat or post anything that I have not addressed with them myself first. There is enough going on in our community right now and it’s our job to stay calm and not jump to conclusions.

That being said and while I applaud and support all law enforcement involved ... it was frustrating not knowing the nature of the threats. When parents become alarmed about their children’s safety, rational thinking is replaced by emotions and that’s not exactly productive. Not for the police and not for the public.

I understand details of an open investigation can’t be shared but my concern has been this. As we have seen, leaving people without any information as to the nature of threats being made, left everyone to their own imagination. Personally, I would like to know what to be vigilant for. I feel like that may have helped calm the community, so everyone can get out of the way and let this serious event have the full attention it needs. Now every gun, knife, cardboard box or unattended bag is putting fear and panic into people. Chaos can only slow the police from doing their job and ultimately delay any resolution. —Kristin Zippi, Kalispell

Supporting more than Muldown

When I began attending the meetings of the Muldown School Task Force, I was of the opinion that remodeling Muldown’s existing structure would be the most responsible option for Whitefish. However, as I listened and seriously considered all the options, my opinion began to change. I learned a lot at those meetings: about the life expectancy of buildings, about replacement costs of seriously outdated equipment, about occupancy issues, about safety concerns, and about changing philosophies regarding educational spaces. I also learned about the amazing way our staff has managed, mitigated, and maintained Muldown Elementary School under unfortunately (but naturally) deteriorating conditions. It became apparent to me that a remodel was not the best option. Remodeling addresses few of the critical issues at Muldown, comes with a $14.4-million price tag, and simply kicks the proverbial can down the road. That’s a road, by the way, where costs will increase exponentially.

I was fortunate enough to attend school in Whitefish when Lloyd Muldown was irrefutably and passionately in charge. Under his guidance Muldown Elementary School and the educational philosophy behind it was achieved. I don’t believe that Mr. Muldown would say “OK. Now we’re done.” Education evolves. We all benefit from unapologetically insisting on high educational standards — providing every child with the opportunity for a quality education, from the subjects they study to the environment they learn in. A new Muldown Elementary School will allow for efficiencies that are unattainable with the existing structure — economic, educational, safety and beyond.

Whitefish has a long and proud history of support for education — assuring the best opportunities for each new generation. I hope you will join me in voting YES for Muldown. —Sue Schenck, Whitefish