A big week around Bigfork

Alex Strickland

Some weeks thinking of enough story ideas to fill the paper is an exercise in premature balding. Some weeks, like this one, I wonder how it is that so many things could be happening in such a short amount of time.

Of course, it doesn’t hurt that there’s a legislature in session. It may not be good for much, but there’s no denying that the government provides a pretty constant stream of interesting tidbits.

This week, in summary, contains the opening of the newly renovated and expanded Bigfork Elementary School, the surprise resignation of the fire chief, the stalling of a bill dreamt up by county commissioner Joe Brenneman and Thursday’s vote on the Bigfork Neighborhood Plan. And that’s not even sweating the small stuff or sports (Vikes win, Vikes win!).

And I was told winters around here were slow.

As far as the week’s big news is concerned, everyone in town should go see the new Bigfork Elementary School. It’s gorgeous from the outside and the build quality — at least to this layman’s eyes — is excellent in the interior. It really does look like a first-class institution. The high schoolers are, no doubt, jealous.

Whatever your thoughts on the department and whatever the differing leadership styles may have been, soon-to-be-former Bigfork Fire Chief Chuck Harris deserves a moment of thanks. Time and time again at the paper when we talk to people who either had the fire department’s skill save their house or their consolation if there was nothing they could do, they tell us that if they didn’t support the department before their incident, they do now. We all hope we never have to see them coming up our drive, but it’s nice to know they’re willing to step up should the need arise.

Tonight, Thursday, at 4 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church is the last time anyone has a chance to sound off on the Bigfork Neighborhood Plan without driving to Kalispell. The planning board and commissioners will still host hearings, but tonight’s meeting should be well-attended as this four-year process (mercifully) grinds to a close.

Last, on a completely unrelated topic, the Eagle is trying to make some moves into the Internet age, one of which is updating our Web site throughout the week with breaking news, weather advisories and sports scores. We’re not perfect yet, but if you’re jonesing to know the score from a week night Valkyries game, sign on to http://www.bigforkeagle.com and check us out.