Letters to the editor Jan. 8

A mini-Disneyland

In view of the recent rapid increase in property development in the northwest portion of Montana, the dwindling pristine outdoor areas and wildlife habitats need to be conserved and protected.

It has been very evident that this massive project to expand the Holland Lake forest land is not wanted by us local residents. Recently, we have been pushed out of visits to Glacier Park; even state parks around Flathead Lake have limited the number of users at any one time.

If I recall this correctly, the Forest Service is our property manager and we, the citizens, are the property owners. Thus, the government works for us, the people. It’s the requisite transparency of our government agencies that has been severely lacking with regard to this project especially.

Let’s not allow the destruction of one of the few remaining readily accessible sites in the Swan Valley that belongs to all of us. It’s time we stand up and ascertain our ownership and manage the managers. The preservation of our wildlife habitat, water and air quality, as well as the impact on neighboring landowners and residents, should all be taken into consideration, and in doing so, the CUP to Powdr must be denied.

Then there is the recent proposed tram up Columbia Mountain. Also the proposed coaster project on the west lakeshore. Where will it end?

I believe most of us in this part of Montana want to preserve our open spaces in Montana and do not want them turned into a mini-Disneyland.

Where is the transparency owed to the citizens whose taxes pay for these government officials/employees?

— Lyn Mogolis, Bigfork