Letters to the editor April 21

Samaritan House

In response to the Daily Inter Lake story by Jack Underhill, “Samaritan House expansion in limbo as feds go ‘radio silent’.”

I am writing to express my strong support for Samaritan House’s strategic pivot to ensure the construction of apartments for families and veterans within our community. 

Despite the significant setback of HUD’s “going silent” of a $4.3 million grant, which would have fully funded the remaining balance needed for Samaritan House’s expansion project, construction is still scheduled to commence this summer. By restructuring the project from three to four build phases and deferring the community center to phase four, Samaritan House is ensuring that the much-needed housing for families and veterans will be built sooner rather than later.

I urge our community to support Samaritan House’s campaign to raise funds and construct housing for families and veterans. I am proud to join other donors in our community to bridge the gap left by federal funding uncertainties. Our community requires this housing, and our veterans are deserving of it.

— Brian Clark, Kalispell

Holland Lake Lodge

Let’s be clear: The proposed special use permit for Holland Lake Lodge is not just a “change of ownership.” The Utah-based venture capital firm who has applied for the permit has openly stated their goal is to double revenue — meaning near-certain expansion and increased private use of public land.

Meanwhile, the taxpayer-funded wastewater system that supports the lodge is broken. Years of Forest Service inaction on leaks will now cost taxpayers over $1.2 million. All so these rich guys from Utah can keep regular folks off public land and make a profit. Add to that multiple permit violations, including an illegal fence enclosing 3.4 acres of our land, and it’s clear: The rules haven’t been enforced. How can we trust the Forest Service to enforce them now?

Yet the Forest Service is still considering this proposal. The required operating plan doesn’t even name a permit holder or include a management structure. They plan to host weddings? How many a week? For how many people? Without an operating wastewater system? Where will they park? These questions have been asked and the Forest Service says they don’t know! Worse, this “draft operating plan” can be changed after permit approval — without public input.

Public land should not be leased out behind closed doors. Take down the fence, fix the wastewater system and ensure permanent public access with proper signage, before any permit is approved.

Montanans who care about public lands and integrity in government: make your voice heard.

— Jen Nave, Polson