A few years ago, under the direction of the Flathead County Commissioners, the Bigfork Steering Committee performed an extensive study on the feasibility of incorporating Bigfork. The study uncovered several things, including the fact that the cost of incorporating would be too expensive on the local property tax payers. I remember my disappointment over the committee's conclusions. I was, like many others, hopeful for this new government possibility. I was one who thought that Bigfork needed an "identity," and to have representation and autonomy from other governmental bodies.

That very day, after hearing the conclusion of the study, I made a call to a senior member of our community. This man had lived here for over 30 years and had performed countless acts of service for the benefit of this town. He also had close ties to the committee and I was interested in his opinion. I shared with him my disappointment about the outcome. I will never forget his thoughtful and wise comments. He said essentially that Bigfork doesn't need to incorporate because it is a community of volunteers. For several years now I have reflected on his comments. It's true - Bigfork is a "Government of Volunteers!"

Whenever things need to get done, various volunteer organizations, boards, and the citizens of this community come together to accomplish the task at hand. For example, the Bigfork Land Use Advisory Committee (BLUAC), under the direction of the county commissioners, essentially oversees the land development of the area. The Bigfork School Board is responsible for the school district. Other service organizations include the Bigfork Fire Department, Bigfork QRU, Bigfork Boosters, the PTA, Friends of Bigfork Schools (FOBS), the Food Pantry, the Red Cross Blood Drive, the Rotary, Bigfork Water and Sewer board, the Chamber, BSA, the Bigfork Summer Playhouse, the Bigfork Elves, and many, many others. All of these groups are comprised completely of volunteers whose efforts are innumerable. Not to mention all the church organizations that provide services to our community.

The citizens who live in a town with a government of volunteers are remarkable and efficient at getting things done. I remember a few years ago the Swan River folks wanted a bike path. They didn't go to a government entity to present their request, they did it themselves. When the Boosters wanted a sports track and new bleachers for the football stadium at Bigfork High School, they had a huge fund raiser, worked hard and made the desired improvements. And just last year when the Playhouse needed expansion, volunteers who wanted to help get it done made phone calls and raised the needed funds. The remodeling on the Playhouse has been underway and will be completed soon. The list goes on and on.

There are times, however, when we may need some help. For example, currently the Bigfork Steering Sub-Committee, known as the Bigfork Stormwater Committee, is trying to get state help to fix the needs of our Bigfork Bay stormwater drainage problem. Because the cost for the project is extensive, we are in need of state assistance. Therefore, under the direction of the Commissioners, the Stormwater Committee has applied for a grant to have the problem remedied. This sub-committee, made up completely of volunteers, has worked extremely hard to serve our community. If and when we need to address things beyond our scope, we can always call for help. Many of you have asked about added police in our area. We would need to approach the commissioners and ask them for their support, and if enough of us band together, there is no doubt we could get this done.

What is it about Bigfork that is so special? It is our government of volunteers. What is it about a government of volunteers that is so wonderful? It is the thing that makes us a true community. We are not dependent on a government entity, person or bureaucracy. We are dependent on each other! It gives us the power to do things for ourselves. If one day we decide to incorporate, we will diminish that power. We will have an elected person (mayor) who we will point to and ask, "What are you doing about this, or what are you doing about that?" We will begin to expect others to do what we have been doing for ourselves all along. We will lose the special identity that we have always had. The identity of volunteerism.

Contact Reichner at 253-3929 of sreichner@centurytel.net.