Ellington

Boys Thump Dogs

The Columbia Falls boys basketball team walloped rival Whitefish Friday night, 73-43. The Cats took a 21-8 lead in the first quarter and never looked back. The entire team, including all the players on the bench, played - many of them got substantial minutes as several JV players saw time as early as the second quarter.

Girls lose to Libby.

The Wildkat basketball team held the lead through most of the game in the first round of the division tourney Wednesday, but couldn't hold off the Libby Loggers, who won 43-38.

Hobbies, I have many

Before the days of Strate Talk, and before any thought of writing a column crossed my mind, I took a course in Creative Writing at the Senior Center in Bigfork titled Writing your Memories.

Dorymates take second

Bigfork runner Brooke Andrus and three other area runners were among the thousands of athletes at the Simplot Games in Pocatello, Idaho last weekend.

Wayne Robert Beller

Wayne Robert Beller, 51, a lifelong resident of Whitefish, passed away Monday, Feb. 13, 2006, at his home in Whitefish of natural causes.

William "Bill" Stratton Chatterton Jr.

William "Bill" Stratton Chatterton Jr., 38, passed away Saturday, Feb. 11, 2006, at Community Medical Center in Missoula.

Lions and bison and bears

"Shocking!" That is what someone said about the column last week where we talked about 650 murders per year in Detroit. Mentioned was the fact that other big cities vie annually with Detroit for establishing violent crime records and we all know that Washington D.C. is always near the top. Found some more surprising homicide figures this week. The Washington Post newspaper in December reported local crime labs (Medical Examiners) are running a backlog of 1,038 autopsies. Those amazing statistics include 84 homicides that are…more than a year old.

Better safe than sorry

I would like to express concern over the use of state lands north of the Jewel Basin Road and east of Foothill Road as a shooting range. While this area has been a popular site for target practice in the past, it is now home to a network of ski trails maintained by the Bigfork Community Nordic Center (BCNC), and is no longer a safe (or ethical) place to shoot during wintertime months.

Bill Gress

Bill Gress passed on Dec. 15, 2005, in Campo, Calif. Bill was known to the small town as Barber Bill. At a local barber shop, he cut lots of hair and was loved by the town.

Libby Arlene Kettel

Libby Arlene Kettel, 50, died Jan. 10, 2006, in Issaquah, Wash.

Loser life

So I'm lying there on the ground and the wind is howling and it's so cold that it's actually freezing my brain. Well, it feels like it's freezing my brain because I've got this headache and this little voice inside of me, no check that, this big voice inside of me is saying, go back to the truck you idiot, you'll die out here.

A letter from the editor

A fear-for-all

To protect and serve

Wow! I just read in the police report that a person was arrested with a "windshied wiper violation." Isn't great to know we live in a town where you are protected from people with defective wipers. Next it'll be ash trays with cigars. After 28 years, no wonder I'm moving.

John Graham Pate

John Graham Pate, 61, a Whitefish resident, died of natural causes Saturday, Feb. 18, 2006, at the North Valley Hospital.

Hazel Johnson

Hazel Ellen Roberts Johnson, 60, passed away Feb. 13, 2006, to be with God and her forever love, Tom.

June Hunter Hileman

June Hunter Hileman, 82, died at home on Feb. 20, 2006.

The flooring truth

Having been a basketball referee in Whitefish for many years and having run up and down the high school gym floor, I feel I can speak to the condition of the floor and what actually happened to the floor to damage it.

Recognition of Montana's Indians is long overdue

Our nation's greatest monuments and the world's most recognizable symbols of freedom were built by people who were not free. The U.S. Capitol building, the White House and the Washington monument were all constructed primarily by slaves.

By CHRIS PETERSON

Hungry Horse News

Flathead Forest could sell up to 3,000 acres of land

Hungry Horse News

Land sale scrutiny

Last week the Bush administration unveiled a plan that would sell off certain Forest Service lands to finance a program that makes payments-in-lieu of taxes to counties like Flathead.

Cheslie Hunt

Cheslie Herbert Hunt, 88, of Whitefish, passed away Feb. 7, 2006, in Bozeman.

Bullet-proof underwear

It is mandatory now. It wasn't 20 years ago. When you see a local uniformed sheriff's deputy, highway patrolman, or city policeman these days, you can bet your bottom dollar he…or she, is wearing a Kevlar vest.

Esther Kauffman

Esther Kauffman, age 85, passed away Sunday, Feb. 12, 2006, at Brendan House in Kalispell. She was born Esther Borntrager, the daughter of Glen Joseph and Cora May (Chupp) Borntrager on Feb. 13, 1920, in rural Dawson County, Mont., near Bloomfield.

Karrow threatened by growth

Things are changing so fast around here. Will any flavor of Whitefish remain? We raise natural beef cattle and chickens on Lost Coon Trail, and we are very nervous about two changes proposed nearby.

Guest opinion

Separate but equal

Mardi Gras success

Whitefish Winter Carnival was a wonderful month-long celebration. None of the activities could happen without the enthusiasm and support of the committee, the business community and all of the fantastic citizens of Whitefish and the surrounding area. The spirit of The Big Easy was really with Mardi Gras Whitefish Style. Thanks to the following:

Quality not quantity

The Flathead is still one of the most beautiful valleys on the planet. Open space and rich, black river delta farmland are the essential elements that make this place so unique. If we keep losing these areas to seemingly mindless, random development it won't be long before our incredible landscape will look like just another "anywhere USA."

Thelma Smith

Thelma Smith, age 93, passed away Feb. 7, 2006, at North Valley Hospital.

Karrow needs proper planning

There is a subdivision proposed at 905 Karrow Avenue that is designed to pump sewage uphill to Karrow Avenue where a new sewer main would be built. Then the new main would have to pump sewage uphill to the intersection at Seventh Street.

Ryan Smith

Ryan Marshal Smith, 30, a Whitefish resident, passed away at his home Feb. 9, 2006, after a long fight with sarcoma cancer.

The rising cost of city services

Many people, when they think of what makes great cities, imagine parks and plazas, museums and theaters, grand vistas and historic buildings. They might envision riverside cafes in Paris, drama and dance on Broadway, or gothic cathedrals in Italy.

Slaying the dragon

Good governance. That is what the citizens have a right to expect from their elected officials be they at the local, county, state or national level. Unfortunately, in recent years we have far too many examples of the opposite. Verdell Jackson's public recitations on water rights relate a troubling tale, and unequivocally demonstrate that he misses the point on the imperative of having a government that is responsive to the needs of its citizens. First, let us understand the fundamental point here. Throughout Montana's history, water rights have traditionally stayed with the land, and that is the way it should be. To maintain this practice, it is absolutely essential that Montanans get their water rights properly adjudicated, and that has not been happening. A large part of the problem in this area is the result of our past legislatures' under funding the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), even to the extent that they were unable to adequately staff the process of properly keeping track of who had the water rights name, address phone number, etc. Now, with the belated realization that adjudication of water rights is an area that needs immediate attention, our State government is causing mass pandemonium and understandable angst by sending out $31 million in water rights adjudication bills when they know there are a vast number in error from the start—, as in going to the wrong people. In those instances where you did not even get a bill, but should have, you are to proactively find out why, and correct the problem—assuming you know you should have received one in the first place. It is like the schoolyard quip, "Will all those who are absent please raise their hand." In essence, as is all too often the case in government, we have put the burden on the citizens to straighten out a mess they did not cause. I applaud the efforts of my fellow Republicans who on the margins of the 2005 special session attempted to get $31 million in funding for the Water Adjudication Fund, money that was to be used to speed up the adjudication process. Unfortunately, they were unsuccessful. As disappointing and unfair as that is, it is even more unfair that Montana citizens are currently receiving millions of dollars worth of bills that are known to be in error with the expectation that you, the citizen, will sort it out. As Mr. Jackson recently stated with chilling accuracy in the Daily Interlake, "lack of payment will result in a lien being filed against your water rights by the Department of Revenue and you could lose them." In short, those entitled to water rights now have no choice but to proceed with this charade and move forward with proper adjudication of your water rights. What a disappointment! In the future, we have a right to expect better from our state government.

Alfred Holden

Alfred "Bud" Clair Holden, 86, passed away Feb. 4, 2006, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Donald A. Davall

Donald A. Davall, 77, passed away, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2006, at his home in Columbia Falls of natural causes.

Carnival clowns and capers

This year's Whitefish Winter Carnival was bigger and better than other years, according to some longtime residents.

Let it rain

Rain, snow or sunshine affect my disposition, as it does I presume for many people. Sunshine makes me bright and cheerful. Snow renders me to a calm in its shell and rain makes me happy. Sunshine is welcomed on any day of the year, be it summer or winter. A snow-covered vista is not for me. It curtails my activity of a daily walk and driving to do errands. Rain is my companion as it brings to me fond memories of happy childhood days.

Yvan Steblina

Yvan Steblina, age 88, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2006 at Kalispell, Montana. He was born on June 1, 1917 in the Ukraine, the son of Feodor and Maura Steblina.

Gladys Border

Gladys E. Border (Estes), of Great Falls, formerly of Whitefish, age 92, died of natural causes at a local assisted living facility Feb. 1, 2006. She was a homemaker.

Jeffery Marrott

Jeffery Steven Marrott, 32, passed away Jan. 29, 2006, at his home in Whitefish.

Shame on you

One of our best neighbors was stomped on by a small special interest group eager to run over anyone that disagrees with them.

And another thing…

This letter is an addendum to my letter of Dec. 20, 2005, in which I strongly opposed any change in the lot sizes that Rocky Mountain Recreational Communities is seeking in the Harbor Village community.

Crash claims life of Seeley Lake man

Keith Wayne Brownrigg, 49, of Seeley Lake, died instantly Tuesday evening Jan. 31, when his Ford Escort collided with a loaded logging truck near Echo Lake Road on Montana 83. Brownrigg was driving east and passing vehicles, according to reports.

Dorothy Metcalf

Dorothy D. Metcalf, 89, passed away Feb. 3, 2006, in Lewistown.

Just say no

This letter is to voice our objections to the request by RMRC (Rocky Mountain Recreational Communities) for a variance from the current RC-1 zoning in Harbor Village, Bigfork.

Medicare help

Sometimes, when the federal government decides to change a policy, the rest of us have a tough time trying to figure it out. In the case of the Medicare Part D prescription benefit, many seniors have become confused, overwhelmed and left in the bureaucratic dust.

Bonzai!

Are you getting the winter blues?

A) Nope, I love this time of year—calm and reflective.

Opposition to Harbor Village development

My wife and I live at 233 Harbor Dr., Harbor Village, some two blocks from the proposed development. We object to the project as proposed for the following reasons:

Scouts busy in 2005

Whitefish Boy Scout Troop 17 had another busy and successful year in 2005, highlighted by two members (Daniel Reimer and Evan Tice) receiving their Eagle Scout awards.

Dispatch plan should be dropped

Whitefish city manager Gary Marks, responding to my Jan. 26 letter in the Pilot, laments that neither he nor the Whitefish City Council can take credit for the idea that Flathead County's 911 dispatch center should be moved from its present location in Kalispell.

Whitefish telemark skiers place high at Selkirk Classic

Local telemark racers competed at the Selkirk Classic at Schweitzer Mountain on Jan. 21-22 and placed well in the two-day event.

Dogs need a place to play

Think like a dog for a moment. Besides hanging out at home, snoozing and eating, what else do you want to do? How about visiting a place to frolic with fellow friendly canines?

The aftermath

My daughter was 11 years old in the fifth grade when she was hit by a car in March 2001 at the four-way stop intersection while crossing the street to attend school at the junior high.

Maisie Buersmeyer

Maisie Buersmeyer (nee Carr)went home to be with her Lord on Jan. 25, 2006.

Helping to build literacy

Clear Skies Child Care and Preschool is proud to be the recipient of a Community Giving Grant from Target. Clear Skies Child Care and Preschool received $1,250 that will be used to help strengthen their preschool literary program.

Kathleen Rose

Beloved wife and mother, Kathleen Rose, of Rifle, Colo., went home to her Lord and Savior on Jan. 24, 2006, surrounded by friends and her loving family.

Eunice E. Johnson

Eunice E. Johnson, age 84, passed away Jan. 26, 2006, at her residence in the Lake Blaine area.

Chandler Melton / Whitefish Pilot

The Whitefish High School speech and debate team congratulates Matt Gwiazdon after he won the Lincoln-Douglas debate at the state tournament in Columbia Falls Saturday.

Righting a wrong

I would like to reinforce Mr. Ridderhoff's writing in the Eagle regarding BLUAC's future. I agree with almost everything said. Calaway wouldn't be in business if it weren't for people moving into Bigfork. I do remember when unemployment was 19 percent in 1976 when we began building our home. Contractors were leaving or going out of business because there was nothing to build. But on the other hand now under Calaway's voting there isn't a subdivision he doesn't like. His voting record I guess is about 99.5 percent to approve every subdivision that has come up both here in Bigfork and as a member of the Flathead County Planning Board.

Lessons from our children

Last night, I held my two-week old baby girl and watched her study my face. She's beautiful, and it took all of five seconds after seeing her come into the world for her to steal my heart. I've looked at her hundreds of times, and there's always something that catches my attention about her, but last night it was the way in which she studied me.

Bigfork Eagle editorial

Common sense for a common good

Chamber meets

The Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce meets at noon Feb. 14 at the North Valley Community Building. Guest speaker is Hap Peters of Habitat for Humanity, which is building homes in Columbia Falls.

Names and nonsense

Among dozens of entries on the Sheriff's log for last Sunday was one where an irate citizen called in to report the theft of firewood. While reviewing the logs on Monday with the media, the sheriff was asked by a reporter what the thief would be charged with. Another reporter said, "Anyone knows that's choplifting."

Binding ties

While there's an abysmal amount of snow right here in Columbia Falls, most places east of here, at least to Marias Pass, have been getting dumped on.