Letters to the editor Oct. 21
Scam averted
Yesterday, I happened to stop in at Walgreens in Whitefish. At the checkout counter an elderly woman with a wad of cash in her hand was trying to purchase a cash card for a scammer.
The management was alerted and came over to help talk her out of her plan. They even talked on her phone with him, via speakerphone. He was a smooth talker, and claimed he is an attorney, so they stated to him that an attorney would not request to be paid via a cash card. The customer seemed confused and thought she should be going ahead with her plan.
I do not know the outcome, as I left the store, but I thanked the cashier, who was one of the managers, for helping that woman from being scammed out of what looked like a large amount of cash. I was grateful that they stepped in.
— Laura Bushard, Hungry Horse
Traffic jam waiting to happen
Our city planners are negligent on planning the new infrastructure in North Kalispell at the site of the new Costco. The access points will go from four-lane streets with signals at the current store to two single-lane streets from Kalispell, Lincoln and a new street Nob Hill, plus one lane from Rose Crossing and Jefferson. Even if we get a new signal at Nob Hill, traffic will not have even the same access as old store.
Until a new signal can be installed can you imagine how much traffic will need to use Rose Crossing for a left turn on U.S. 93? We need more access for a larger and better store.
With just one month before the new store opens, this is a recipe for disaster. Why was this not addressed in the original planning? Although in the county, Rose Crossing and Whitefish Stage Road, which is already a problem, will become a monster without a signal.
— William Stigile, Kalispell
Urban planning
Are you proud to live in Kalispell? What makes a happy, safe and inspiring place in which to live?
My husband and I have had the opportunity to visit with relatives and friends who have lived in cities they loved and were proud of being part of their communities. I learned that urban planning provided the foundation for these lovely, comfortable and vibrant places. Here are two.
Grand Junction, Colorado. This community has agriculture, a university, good health care and an inviting main street. We have relatives owning a thriving business located there. Another is Prince George, British Columbia. This community has a university, good health care and an equitable housing plan. Visiting a B&B, the hosts loved their town and were proud to give us a tour of Prince George.
It will be an honor for me to vote for Ryan Hunter to become our Kalispell mayor knowing he has had experience as a Council member. He has lived here knowing what the possibilities of this town has, with his knowledge of urban planning. His goal has always been working for the benefit of our community and you, our citizens. Urban planning encompasses transportation, equitable housing, safety, education and businesses, plus much more. This must include fair sharing of expenses for improvements and development. Things happen when we work together.
Please join me to vote for Ryan and the future of Kalispell for which we can be proud. With Ryan’s city council experience and urban planning background, he is ready to move into the position of Mayor. He is the most qualified candidate to become Kalispell’s mayor.
— JoLynn Yenne, Kalispell
Disappointed in Daines
As usual I was disappointed with Sen. Steve Daines comments in the Daily Inter Lake on Thursday, Oct. 16, about blaming the Democrats for the government shutdown so they can hold their anti-Trump rally!
It is quite convenient to blame the shutdown on the Democrats even though the Republicans have control of both chambers of Congress and the presidency. I was of the understanding from my high school government class that the senators were supposed to represent the constituents of the state from which they were elected, not some wanna be dictator.
Instead of accusing the Democrats of distracting the public with anti-Trump rallies, maybe he should be sitting down with his colleagues and try to solve our health care problems. That issue appears to be the major sticking point with the Democrats for the government shutdown. The Republicans want to eliminate the Affordable Care Act but they have never introduced an alternative that would be better.
And while he’s at it maybe he could also address some of the actions of President Trump. Instead of bowing to the whims of Trump, maybe he should be defending our free speech, freedom of the press and contesting the occupation our cities with the national guard and imprisoning innocent people without due process.
Why hasn’t Daines addressed all of these issues? Saying “God bless America” and waving the American flag does not make a true patriot. I hope that someday Daines will have the courage to defend the Constitution and our county by standing up to Trump so we don’t end up with an authoritarian government that Trump so desperately wants.
— Fred Longhart, Kalispell