Letters to the editor Feb. 17

Remember those folks in your high school who were not in the “popular crowd”? Who knew at the time that, years later, they would enrich our lives beyond anything that we could imagine at the time?

Now that we are older and wiser, we recognize their talents. While, in their youth, they might not have starred on the football field, nor the basketball court, nor any other sports activity, they became proficient in playing their instruments, portraying their parts, painting their scenes, sculpting their subjects, etc.

While many of us focused on the “bright objects” that occupied our immature minds, we must now recognize the accomplishments of those among us who achieved mastery of their chosen art forms. Take the time to listen to an orchestral rendition of nearly anything. Notice the rapidity of notes that the players must perform. Could you do that? How long would it take to make that happen?

Enjoy the beauty of their performance, skills that enable them to reproduce music from hundreds of years ago. What should we think about the painters who find different ways to make us look at our surroundings in different ways? Let’s not forget the actors on our stages who make us believe in the characters that they present to us.

Each of us has something to give our culture. Consider that before you criticize the opinion of someone else. Don’t consign them to what some have called a “deplorable” category.

Every one of us contributes to our society. Embrace it, or we lose it.

—Ward DeWitt, Bigfork

Climate change has been impacting our planet for years, and these impacts continue to grow. No credible climate scientist denies it.

I am a retired public health professional. I am also a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother, so I am very concerned about the adverse impacts of climate on each of us – every one of us here in Montana and around the world – and particularly those of us who are most vulnerable.

Climate scientists say the adverse impacts of climate change will get worse before we can take enough steps to make it better. I understand the rigorous, carefully checked and repeated work that goes into scientific reports. I believe the climate scientists.

Yet too many of our elected officials resist this climate science, and our current political climate (unintended pun) is not favorable to the kind of change we need to protect our most vulnerable. Instead of moving us toward a more sustainable future, certain politicians are rolling back critical public health protections.

There are things we, as individuals, can and should do: reduce, reuse, recycle; make all the green choices we, as consumers, can afford; volunteer in our communities to help those most in need; and keep urging our elected officials to address climate change boldly and quickly.

Collectively, we aren’t doing nearly enough, and future generations will bear the brunt. My great-great-grandson is 3 years old. If we aren’t successful in addressing our climate crisis, in 20 short years his Montana home might resemble the place of eternal damnation instead of the Montana I’ve had the good fortune to travel and love.

—Sherry Spence, Kalispell

On Jan. 8, I attended the meeting of the Flathead County Planning Board. I was interested in the major land use review on Lake Five in West Glacier.

I quickly realized this meeting is a “rubber stamp” session for whatever the Planning Board’s staff recommends.

The Planning Board members looked stoic, and blank faced. To this casual observer, it appeared they had already made up their minds.

Most of the 40+ attendees opposed the proposed development for reasons such as, the development’s road, lack of proper sewer facilities, right-of-way easements, previous violations by the developer, and lack of concerns for water quality, wildlife, and general public safety. The Planning Board and staff paid little attention to the recommendations by the Canyon Area Land Use Regulatory System (CALUS). CALUS recommended disapproval of the proposed project.

After five hours of testimony the Planning Board members openly discussed the request. None of the board members discussed any of the above listed issues brought by area residents! The Planning Board approved the development on Lake Five.

A few days later I read that Planning Board member, Elliot Adams, is running for a county commissioner’s seat.

In Mr. Adams statement he said, “As a Planning Board member, I have sought to protect our property rights.” Having watched Mr. Adams in action I can report that his statement lacks credibility. He, and other members of the Planning Board, ignored the recommendation of CALUS. Mr. Adams just wanted to be a “rubber stamp” for uncontrolled land use.

If Flathead County voters want uncontrolled growth, don’t care about wildlife habitat, don’t care about public safety, don’t care about county government processes, want someone to “rubber stamp” staff proposals, then Mr. Elliot Adams is your man.

—Lee Pinski, Kalispell