I read the article about the proposed rail jam (Jan. 21 Pilot) with considerable disappointment.  This event, put forth by three well known and respected businesses of our community — Great Northern Brewery, Whitefish Mountain Resort, and Malmquist Construction — sounds like an excellent addition to the Winter Carnival lineup, and is a great example of what makes Whitefish such a wonderful and unique town.

I believe the overwhelming majority of this community would like to see this event move forward. To see it shot down by what seems to be small town politics is disappointing.  

Any previous transgressions by the Great Northern Brewery notwithstanding, imposing a legal requirement that makes the event uninsurable does not seem to be a reasonable response, and that no other event in Whitefish has ever had the same liability requirements imposed on it is eyebrow-raising to say the least.

There has got to be a middle ground here, numerous reasonable requirements were put forth last year — performance bond, additional security, etc — and I call on the City Council and Chuck Stearns to put forth an olive branch and negotiate another solution.

Lock them in a room if you have to. Not for the Great Northern Brewery, but for the community of Whitefish.

— Ben Davis, Whitefish