Letters to the editor Dec. 26

Alpine Theatre Project

It was just over three years ago when I first heard about Alpine Theatre Project.  I was invited to a disco themed “Boogie Nights” performance which was a wholly immersive disco experience unlike any live musical theater I had previously seen.  I was immediately hooked and ready for the next show.

Fast forward through the next two years and the societal devastation of the covid pandemic.  Thousands of theaters like ATP around the country closed their doors for good.  In the wake of those events, ATP reached out to the community asking for help; expanding the board and electing new leadership.  Tracy McDowell then took on the position of artistic director with Cynthia Benkelman as the executive director.  Over the past year, Tracy has brought her artistic vision and expertise to the fore and has put together amazing shows with limited resources including the sold out “Wizard of Oz” and this month’s “Yuletide Affair”.

  This year was my first “Yuletide” experience and any expectations I had going in were exceeded.  Rachel Burke created a set and lighting scheme that was beautiful and dynamic, evoking all the warm and fuzzy feelings of Christmas.  The performances were enchanting and exceptional.  Tracy’s set list for the show included holiday classics along with fun surprises to keep things feeling fresh and new.  It was a holiday experience unlike any other I’ve had.  It has been a pleasure getting to know Tracy and our professional performers behind the scenes.  The passion and talent they bring to our community is what sets ATP apart.  Witnessing the heart and creativity Tracy and Rachel bring to all that they do never ceases to fill my heart with pride and wonder.  I can’t wait to see what we do next.  

— Marcus Wheeler, Kalispell

Housing bill

Let’s face it, implementing HB 819 is too hard for Flathead County.

With no guiding Growth Policy, loose zoning, inadequate roads (last road plan was done in 2010), failing bridges, unwillingness to support sidewalks in heavily traveled areas, lack of septage disposal, and many other infrastructure short falls, the county isn’t quipped to innovate.

Its history of putting ARPA funding to work is dismal. It took three years before it enlisted the Lakeside Water and Sewer District to make west shore wastewater treatment expansion a possibility. Even then the proposed lower valley location poses serious environmental questions for Flathead Lake, area wells and aquifer water quality that may affect construction timelines and final costs.

Housing is indeed a problem. Maybe the 2025 Legislature could permit the transfer of county HB 819 funding to our local municipalities.

— Margaret S Davis, Lakeside