Imbroglio

Now that the citizens of the county have had a good laugh over the machinations of city attorney John Phelps' attempt to get Mrs. Spoonovers to remove her delightful and whimsical mural, it is time for the adults to step in and bring this embarrassing situation to a close.

Don't pick on a lady whom everybody loves who is represented by an attorney whom everybody loves. Even if you win, you lose.

Recognizing that free advice is worth what you pay for it, throwing caution to the wind, here's the escape plan. All it takes is for council to declare the murals to be what they are — murals. No hearing, no nothing. Put it on the consent agenda, and let it slide through. Avoid a "cast of thousands" hearing over an imbroglio which should never have happened in the first place.

Discretion is the better part of valor, and the council needs to reconnect with the people of Whitefish in a positive way. Given the miseries, controversies and judgments which the council has — wittingly or unwittingly — been dragged into recently, a show of graciousness on the part of the city fathers and mothers would be most welcome.

He governs best who governs least. Give it a try, councilmen and women, you might even find it works.

Cy Appel

Whitefish

Run for fun

This year's Whitefish Friends and Family Fun Run/Walk was another huge success, raising $3,000 that will benefit the Child Development Center in Kalispell and the Shepherd's Hand Clinic in Whitefish.

This event, organized by Whitefish Therapy and Flathead Performance Training, had 135 individuals who participated in the 5K and 10K distances and another 15 who joined us in a family mile walk. This event brings people of all ages (from 2 to 79) and abilities together to help raise money and have a good time, enjoying the scenery and company of the other participants.

Thanks to our T-shirt sponsors, whose contributions paid for the participant T-shirts. This ensures that all of the money raised through participant registration directly benefits the above fine community service organizations. Sponsors included Mountain West Bank, Glacier Orthopedics, Electrical Systems, Inc., and Falcon Development.

I would also like to thanks the major sponsors of this event that donated not only monetarily, but also contributed their time, services and products to help make this event a success: SPORT Center, Whitefish Therapy, Flathead Performance Training, North Valley Hospital, and Latigo Creek Construction.

There were also a large number of local businesses that donated products and services for the post race raffle. This is always a very popular event while everyone awaits the results to be posted so that awards can be handed out. Prizes are awarded to the overall 5K and 10K winners in both men's and women's divisions, and awards are given to the top three finishers in each age group by division and distance.

And last but not least, we would like to thank all of the volunteers who helped to keep the participants on course, well hydrated and safe.

Thank you again to the 150 participants, the sponsors and volunteers that continue to help this event grow and benefit the community.

Mike Carey

Flathead Performance Training

Paws and claws

I've wondered for several years now when it will occur to someone that the Bulldog and Cat tracks/prints painted on the streets leading to their respective high schools are in fact exactly opposite,

Cats walk with their claws retracted (like the ones painted to Whitefish High School) while dogs' are always visible (like the ones painted to Columbia Falls High School).

Now that's what I call truly ironic.

JT Bailey

Whitefish