Letters to the editor July 3

Neighbors helping neighbors

On June 20, we were notified by the Somers Fire Department that we should prepare for a potential evacuation of our homes on Wagner Lane. Research on rain and snow in the mountains showed the worst-case scenario would be 2 feet of water at 700 Wagner Lane, which is about halfway to the Flathead River.

Most everyone who lives on Wagner Lane turned down the opportunity to leave. An article and photos published in the Inter Lake triggered phone calls offering help, which was very encouraging.

Tom Havens, the fire chief of Somers, and volunteers provided sandbags and much of Wagner Lane was closed by deputies of the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office with a roadblock monitored day and night with the help of the Sheriff’s Posse. The posse has 63 volunteers who donate their time.

On June 24, we saw the peak of the Flathead River flood on Wagner Lane when Flathead Lake was more than full at 2,893.55 feet. On June 25, the river started dropping. We all breathed a big sigh of relief after going through four days of uncertainty knowing that we could lose everything. We thanked these officials frequently at the roadblock and brought food to show our appreciation.

We also want the citizens of Flathead County to know that if you live in Flathead County you live in a special place where neighbors help neighbors.

— Verdell and Linda Jackson, Sid and Cheryl Anderson, Sam and Bobby, Jeremy and Janell, Eric and Shannon Brooks, Michael and Jennifer Shelton, Jeff Pederson, Bob and Vicki Faulkner, Gary Bray, Lenda Barker, Robert Miller, Dan Cusick, Clay Keller, and more.

Columbia Falls development

As former mayor of Columbia Falls and Flathead County Commissioner I was shocked to become aware of a proposed high-density subdivision to be located on the corner of River Road and U.S. 2, (Just east of the bridge).

It is being proposed, with the support of our City Planning Director, by the same developer James Barnett, Flathead Mountain River LLC, who proposed the Big Mountain Road debacle that was turned down by the City Council of Whitefish.

He is proposing 455 units on 49 acres, 45 feet in height. There are so many issues and problems associated with this proposal I will attempt to address just a few for your information.

River Road is a narrow highly used (from Columbia Falls Stage and Middle Road) that it is currently difficult to access U.S. 2. Flathead County Road Department did a traffic study two years ago that gave the number 2,600 cars per day over a seven day period. At 2 1/2 car trips daily, at full build out, 5,600 car trips per day, even with a light, that may or may not be installed by the developer, is grossly too much for this area.

They are going to run sewer and water under the river, I simply can’t imagine that having a long life as the river gravel bar shifts yearly. We are also talking about 1,200 people at build out. The city sewer plant can not, without major improvement (who pays for a new sewer plant) handle this or the other proposed developments being considered east of the river.

The Daily Inter Lake last week reported on a water shortage due to the unexpected increased development in Kalispell — that will likely happen here also. There is much more I could add but the purpose of this letter was to briefly inform and ask that you send your comments, Pro or Con to the Cfalls Planning Board at: staalandb@cityofcolumbiafalls.com

Columbia Falls is proud to be the Gateway to Glacier Park but can you just imagine the view as you leave our city with this subdivision with 455 apartments on your way to the park.

— Gary Hall, Columbia Falls

Tourism promotion

Yes, we still have a convention and visitor bureau that promotes Whitefish to the tune on $1 million per year. They get their revenue by adding an “optional” 1% to restaurant, car rentals, and lodging receipts and don’t want us to know that it is “voluntary.”

Businesses might hand out a green card asking you to “be a friend of the fish,” telling us that this 1% supports “community sustainability.” It does not. They are deceiving all of us with their marketing, and most likely imposing this fee illegally, when it is not disclosed that the fee is “optional”.

$75,000 of their $1 million budget went to housing. The rest is simply tourism promotion. They won’t even pay to empty the trash or clean the downtown sidewalks.

How do we stop this?

Businesses — stop collecting the fee. If you do feel the need to collect it, you must state “optional” or “voluntary” next to the 1%. Stop telling your employees that this money goes toward housing. It does not. Go to their meetings, see the marketing plans, ask to see their budget.

Employees — stop telling customers that this 1% goes toward “community sustainability.” It does not. Teach your employees how to remove it.

Residents and guests — Don’t pay it. Ask for your check without the 1%. Save the business time in having to go back and remove it. Support businesses that do not impose this fee. Ask business owners to stop promoting tourism.

Most of us would be happy to pay the 1% if it did go toward housing.

Thanks for your cooperation in reigning in this crazy tourism promotion spending.

— Nancy Schuber is a member of Women of Whitefish