Hidden tax

I voted for the Whitefish sales tax — no regrets. We have new streets and tax relief was our reward.

I did not vote for something called TP (tourist promotion), an assessment that I recently noticed on a sales receipt at a local eatery. When I inquired about it, I was told I did not have to pay the assessment, that it was voluntary.

No, I thought, voluntary is giving to United Way, or the Salvation Army, or dropping change into a guitar case. But in this case, if I choose not to support this agenda, I have to ask the merchant to return my money.

What do people who want us to give 1 percent of our purchases think about transparency when they attach such an assessment like an earmark next to a legitimate sales tax? A two-year contract with a cell phone company has more transparency than buying lunch at a local restaurant.

Promoters are calling this an "assessment," but we know it's really a "tax." And we're not talking property taxes here, but that's another sad, sad story.

Did the Whitefish City Council vote to assess this tax? What is the current candidates' position on this tax? To me, it appears to be an end-run around the safeguards that were promised when "we" approved the sales tax.

Would lifelong Whitefish residents, out for the occasional lunch or dinner, willingly donate part of their fixed income to a group trying to promote tourism in Whitefish? I am talking about those folks who for 60, 70 or 80 years have never called anywhere but Whitefish home.

When they venture into town now, it's like dropping into Disneyland. They are constantly wading through a crowd of strangers, yet 1 percent of their lunch bill may be taken to bring even more tourists into town. And what does that do other than jam our streets even more?

Finance this tourist-promoting agenda by assessing those that are in the tourist business. Times are tough. You may soon be competing for the locals' business, and you should treat them as neighbors. I personally will promote and patronize TP-free establishments when ever possible.

Pat Muri

Whitefish

Sports news

I want to say a big thank you to Matt Baldwin, sports photographer and writer for the Whitefish Pilot, for all of his great pictures and in-depth coverage of our high school sports programs.

He is obviously a sports fan and is so enthusiastic, which shows in his work. It's great that all these high school athletes are getting recognized for all their dedication and hard work.

I have the unique privilege of assisting coaching with the girls soccer team, and I see first-hand the hard work and discipline it takes to be a part of a team, as with all the teams.

I also really appreciate that the coverage appears to be the same of these sports, win or lose, and I believe that sends a good message.

So once again, a big thank you Matt. I hope you'll be around for a long while.

Paula Jones

Whitefish

Third Street

Wow. It is beautiful and it is open. After six quick weeks of construction, Phase I of the Downtown Infrastructure Project is open.

Underground are much-needed new water and stormwater lines and other utilities. Above ground, you will see a new street, curbs, sidewalks, numerous new trees and landscaping — and soon to be installed historic streetlights and benches.

A huge thank you to the Resort Tax Committee, Whitefish City Council, staff and many others for having the vision to make this important investment to insure our downtown is a successful, vibrant, and beautiful place to shop, dine, work and live. And thanks to the many shop owners and customers for their patience during construction.

Come and see your resort tax at work downtown and throughout the entire community. Projects like this investment are the kind of economic development that keeps small towns healthy. This is just another example of how we work together and make good things happen.

Way to go Whitefish.

John Kramer

Whitefish

Curling history

Kudos to Whitefish for starting a curling club. The first curling club in Montana was the Scobey Curling Club, organized in1958 with Larry Fjeld, president. Bob Willard, vice president; Walter Vanderpan, secretary, and Aimee Girard, treasurer.

They had tried the game in Coronach. The first bonspiel, or curling tournament, took place in December 1959 with 23 four-man rinks entered (half were Canadians). Scobey had 16 local teams, ranging in age from 14 to 70. The 1976 bonspiel had 27 adult and 26 high school teams registered.

This information is from the 1977 Daniels County History Book. For more information, contact Mike at the Daniels County Leader.

Hoot mon, but it is a grand old game.

Sandra Lannon

Missoula