Letters to the editor Dec. 6
Vaccine clinic
I’d like to begin this letter with saying that my experience getting my Covid-19 shot at the fairgrounds in Kalispell was wonderful. Even though we were met with anti-vax protesters driving in, we went inside and they were a very well-oiled machine.
Being someone personally affected by Covid, I was beyond grateful when they announced that people 12 and under could get their shots. I’d been waiting to get it for what feels like forever! As an 11-year-old, even I could see that the volunteers there truly cared about keeping the Flathead healthy.
So from the bottom of my heart, and the bottom of my family’s hearts, thank you.
— Ella Robbins, Columbia Falls
Kalispell events
Looking back to 2020, Discover Kalispell had a robust convention season filled with groups, meetings and conferences scheduled. And then the pandemic hit. Group travel ground to a halt, while our office worked to rebook business. Through our efforts, 80% of those groups rebooked for 2021.
In September, we welcomed USS Saint Paul Association, Montana Ghost Town Preservation Society and Western Extension Leadership Development. From those three visits, we had 250 guests from 42 states who arrived in Kalispell and booked 617 room nights. From their visits, Kalispell saw an economic impact of $129,994, with money being spent on hotels, transportation, car rentals, dining, entertainment, entry fees, retail outlets and floral shops.
At Discover Kalispell, we know how important these events are for our local economy. To help bring group business here, we provide a variety of complimentary services every step of the way. And while we could tell you that it was through our efforts alone that Kalispell saw a large boost from these three groups, that simply isn’t the case. Kalispell – a place that ventures boldly, lives fully and isn’t afraid of lending a helping hand – stepped up in a huge way.
A few examples from our mountain town: the Elks Lodge (and 23 volunteers) served a pulled pork dinner for 120+ veterans and their families, local patrons at the Mercantile Steakhouse bought dinner for 16 former Navy officers, and residents welcomed our guests in a way that only people who love, live and breathe Montana can. Our 250 guests left Kalispell feeling honored, appreciated and completely welcomed.
To our bold, beautiful and vibrant mountain town, thank you for being you and for welcoming these groups to Kalispell.
— Dawn Jackson is group sales manager at Discover Kalispell
Can’t afford this madness
Do you ever wonder how hard it is to spend $1 trillion? Do the math; it comes out to be $32,000 per second, seven days a week, 24 hours a day for a year.
That is what the U.S. governmant’s Biden Build Back Better administration has in mind. The rest of the story is that this money is mine and yours in the form of taxes. We all know that the government actually produces nothing, so it is up to us to cover the bill.
If this was put to use building homes for citizens, it would be enough to cover the cost of building of a $350,000 home for every person, man, woman and child in the U.S. in less than a year.
It is time to write your senators and representatives and tell them to stop this madness!
Remember, this is a Democratic agenda but it is very important to write and call all of the Montana senators and our representative and tell them we cannot afford this madness. Stop it, now!
— James Malone, Kalispell