Letters to the editor Aug. 18

National Park Service anniversary

May I salute you volunteers and employees of the National Park Service on your 109th anniversary? Thank you for making our parks, monuments, historic sites and recreation areas available to us. Those places nourish us, whether or not we have immediate plans or ability to get to them. 

As a “property owner” may I demand that you continue your noble work for the sake of our grandkids? We’re counting on you during this particularly challenging time. When I’ve told you this in person your collective response looked like this: “Nobody has ever said that to me before. Tears well up (yours and mine). I needed to hear that today. Well, this is what we do. It’s ALL about your grandkids.” 

You folks protect the parks from the people, the people from the parks, and the people from each other. Yes, I’m a touron, but I swear I have never asked you where the bathroom is, nor have I asked you The Question you knew I already knew the answer to on your excellent walks and talks. 

Remember what I said, OK? Happy 109th Anniversary on Aug. 25.

— Steve Scarano, Vista, Calif.

Lakeside development

When I read about the new 395 home development in Lakeside, it reminds me of a similar 375 home development in McCall, Idaho, private golf course and all. 

People are part time but when they are there, they use all the infrastructure the locals pay for full time and overwhelm it. The local housing market will also be overwhelmed by the support staff required to maintain the new community along with the restaurants, the lake front when they establish a private club along Flathead shores, the roads, ski hill and every other service you take for granted now. Prices will go up accordingly for everything not just when those part timers are there, they will go up full time.

The tax revenue will be nice, but as in McCall that was short term, now taxes for everyone are the highest in the area. While the residents of that new neighborhood, that is in compliance, can have free reign to access Lakeside you won’t have the same access to their gated community. 

When things get to chaotic and busy in Lakeside they can retreat to their private gated community and relax.

— Dennis McDowell, Bigfork