Letters to the editor
Music program a 'treat'
After enjoying the Bigfork High School music concert last Tuesday, I feel compelled to offer a couple of observations.
First of all, I must commend the music students for their commitment to the performance of music, and for their involvement in a learning environment which has the potential to enhance their lives for years to come. It was especially inspiring to see these students all dressed up, and enjoying the "moment."
As a former music instructor, I can appreciate all the time and extra effort that Mr. [Doug] Peters and Mary Blinn have provided to prepare their students for the performance. It was very gratifying to hear the expressions of thanks and respect that were given to both of the teachers by the senior spokespersons from the band and choir groups.
It was such a treat to be part of a gathering of community members who came together in the spirit of "harmony" instead of dissension. I think it is well to note the fact that the existence of a solid music program in our schools contributes immensely to the ability of our community to be cohesive.
Finally, as we are working our way through these times of "belt tightening," it is my sincere hope that the bean counters in our school system will not do anything to weaken the ability of our music program to maintain the necessary level of participation, from elementary through high school, which produces performances such as the one I most recently enjoyed.
Edd Blackler
Bigfork
An open letter to the commissioners
If you didn't believe in the decision you made regarding the North Shore Ranch development, then why did you make it? And, if you did believe in it, then why wouldn't you defend it? The area still is a floodplain and a critical wildlife habitat.
By recapitulating on your decision to not allow this development to go forward, you have wielded a fatal blow for the wildlife and wetlands that grace that area and have opened the door to its total destruction. Your ability to turn down any future proposal for development on the North Shore has been, if not completely lost, severely compromised. That land will fall like dominos to any and every developer with deep pockets to develop the last remaining open space on Flathead Lake. Your actions will set a precedent that will create one long 'strip" from Bigfork to Whitefish.
Montana has never been a wealthy state economically, but it has always been revered for being simply one of the most beautiful places on earth.
You cannot buy mountains or wetlands, open spaces, wildlife or the effect it has on the human spirit. Once it's gone, it's gone forever.
I recently returned from visiting two places that were once quaint and charming, lush and beautiful. They are now nothing but highways and high-rises, big box stores and congestion.
Don't think for a minute it can't happen here. It can and will because man's greed knows no boundaries.
"We are part of nature. If we destroy nature, we destroy ourselves." At some point, and now is that time, we need to make decisions that reflect a sense of stewardship for the land and wildlife with which we've been blessed.
I also believe developers should be required to attend public hearings related to their proposals and not just their attorneys and/or emissaries.
They should see the faces and hear the testimonies of those most affected by their decisions and those who care most for the land on which they reside.
To add insult to injury, because of this 'settlement," which never should have occurred, the commissioners have created a situation where the taxpayers now have to help fund a project they don't want and from which they gain nothing.
Further, all the best efforts of the Flathead Land Trust to raise millions to save this land and its wildlife, preserving it in perpetuity, was turned down by developers Keith Simon and Sean Averill …
How much is enough?
Kathryn Berg
Bigfork