Not thrilled by Zoom meeting

Originally I was told that the winter Interlocal would be held at Glacier Park headquarters. Also, provisions would be made for folks concerned about Covid to attend by Zoom. That seemed like a good way to go — that is the way we conduct school board meetings although I suspect some folks use Zoom just to avoid leaving the house.

Last week after the paper came out Wednesday park officials sent out the word that federal Covid regulations would only allow 15 people in the park community center. Therefore the meeting would be by Zoom or telephone only. I spent a portion of the weekend calling folks I had urged to attend to change their plans.,

I don’t know why the park was not aware of federal guidelines weeks ago. They could have hosted the meetings in Kalispell or Columbia Falls here Covid guidelines allow meetings. They did not do that, but just made the meeting Zoom or telephone only and I got the word by email. What about folks who do not have email?

At any rate, I am not amused and will not attend the meeting. If they want to prevent of reduce public input they can just write up their position on issues and submit them to the print media.

Even so, I still wonder why I need a ticket for the Going-t0-the-Sun Road if I only want to have a picnic at Lake McDonald. I wonder if I need a Polebridge ticket to visit the Walsh summer cabin north of Polebridge. I have heard rumors that the feds will put an informational trailer at Canyon Creek to inform tourists of road closures. I wonder who will stop.

When the new entrance booth opens on the Camas Road will it be called the Camas Entrance or the Lake McDonald entrance? After all it is located a lot closer to Lake McDonald than the Camas Bridge. You will be something like 10 miles inside the park before you reach the “entrance” on the Camas Road.

I am sure we will get the answers to these and other questions when the park issues its “royal edicts” during the spring and summer.

Likewise the Forest Service. Who wants to listen to the private sector anyway? Maybe all public meetings should be Zoom or telephone. That way we can cut off anything we don’t have to hear.

What do you think?