Doughnut people are a part of Whitefish

In response to Jan Metzmaker's opinion in the April 17 Whitefish Pilot, I think I may have read your editorial more than you did before you sent it in. Your last words: "Perhaps we could just try to get along and realize that we all don't get our cake and eat it, too."

Hell, we weren't even invited to the table. No crumbs, plate, napkin or fork. Seems pretty one-sided. All of the projects you listed that us miserable "doughnut" people get to use because of the generosity of the good people of Whitefish is a bit off as well.

Are there no "good people" outside the city limits? Check a list of the names of people that donated their time and or money on The Wave alone. I know of several people, one man in particular, who spent many hours on an excavator — he is not a city resident.

And I'm pretty sure at this time the memberships still aren't free. Check the establishments that you have listed — there are plaques, bricks and thank yous — I'm quite sure they are not all city residents.

Look into the amount of businesses owned by people who reside in the doughnut. Owned and operated by people who have not received the right to vote on council members, mayoral elections or even the resort tax — what would the numbers be? These people provide jobs that in turn help provide tax money.

Was the Ice Skating Rink not a donated project with the idea of keeping it affordable to everyone? Now that it's all grown up, it's beautiful, but maybe not affordable to everyone.

The bike paths — great idea; I've used them, my kids have used them, and we have purchased our bikes locally at the Sportsman and Glacier Cyclery — me, a despicable doughnut dweller.

I guess what I'm getting at is maybe these business people don't want you as their spokesperson. More than likely, they're not checking addresses before they issue a membership or accept a donation. (Funny how doughnut and donation sound similar.)

Now the swipe card. Would you want to issue one to every visitor and vacationer, too? These people are here to spend money, but you wouldn't want them, they haven't paid their dues. Maybe you could just issue invitations or give out coupon books to the more desirables.

Now about all Whitefish has done for us by boosting our property value. That is great, it's even taxed people out of homes they've had in their families for generations. Have you just skimmed over or not noticed any of the articles in the paper about affordable housing?

Whitefish does have a Food Bank, and thank God for those volunteers. You don't hear that much about them. They might appreciate a donation — and you can bet you don't have to be from inside the city limits.

The part that I just do not understand is this thought process like we are in Russia, or dealing with a spoiled child. People are more than willing to make rules or take away something another person has worked for. Work your butt off, invest your life, purchase something like a piece of property, property that has no covenants on it, and have someone tell you after-the-fact what you can't do with it.

Check this comparison, look at the big stink we just went through with the mountain. All of the disgruntled people, and what seemed to be such a hurtful name-change. Like it or not, this man worked, and I imagine quite hard, then took his investment, time and money and bought something that was for sale. He didn't steal it from anyone.

I promise I'm still going to try and fly under the radar or high over the fence and still spend my money in Whitefish. And, Jan, we like you, and you are still welcome to come out anytime you choose, we would still be happy to see you and do your printing. You bring the doughnuts, I'll bring the coffee, and we can sit on the porch and watch the bicycles travel freely down Whitefish Stage Road. We still have no plans on taxing them.

Lyle Hausauer is a resident of Whitefish.