After reading about the petition being circulated to get the railroad to stop blowing horns for the State Park crossing, I'm disappointed.

I live by the cemetery and hear the trains when they blow for not only State Park but Engineer's Row crossing. Yeah, I know there probably isn't a single engineer who lives there now.

But back in the day, the runners used to blow their whistles a certain way to let their families know they would be home shortly.

And even now, it's fun to listen to the different horns and styles. I always know when it's Number Seven or Eight and if they're on time.

If the Kasteleins and their neighbors don't want to be reminded that Whitefish came to be because of the railroad, that's fine. But I'll be danged straight to heck if they try to hook everyone else for the six-figure bill for a fancy new crossing signal. You want it, folks, you pay for it.

Dave Skinner

Whitefish