Letters to the editor Aug. 28

More growth

It seems more and more high-rise multi-family apartment buildings are springing up. Maybe some are needed, but I have to wonder how beneficial it is to have so many. 

Now it seems another proposed project is in the works: the North Meadows project. If you have ever been on Bluestone, you must be aware of the traffic competing with bicycles, children playing, people walking, etc. Imagine if a 99-family apartment complex is built here. 

More traffic adding to the fact that most of Bluestone has no sidewalks. All of these vehicles! People riding bikes have to practically jump into people’s front yards as it is. 

Now consider that there will only be one way in and one way out: Bluestone. I don’t see how that is even safe. I am still trying to figure out how a section of land could so quickly be re-zoned from R4 to R1. This subdivision is already established with homes and townhouses. If there would be an emergency or a need to evacuate the people in this area, how could everyone be able to get out? 

Adding 15 to 20 more homes seems much more practical than 99 more families in this huge complex. This also makes me worry about the safety of our children. 

And what about the flooding? If you are familiar with Begg Dog Park, you know this area floods quite frequently. 

If you have a problem with this project like I do, now is the time to say something. We need to protect the safety of our communities because it seems like those making the decisions are not. Talk to anyone on Bluestone and the surrounding area. No one, but those who stand to make money, want to see this project go forward.

— Nancy Yates, Kalispell

Insurance notice

If you buy your health insurance through the ACA marketplace, something horrible is heading your way. Please get off the couch and write to your congresspeople today.  

The Big Beautiful Bill is letting the APTC — advanced premium tax credit — expire after 2025.  This is the cushion that the government provides people who are lower middle income — not low income enough to qualify for Medicaid — to be able to buy health insurance on the marketplace.  

What this means is, if you’re like me, and you work your tail off at a job that pays average wages for a small business that doesn’t provide health insurance, your health coverage will become unaffordable. My bill will go up $408 per month.  

Look at your monthly statement from your health insurance provider. If there’s a line that says  “APTC amount” that’s what you’re going to start having to pay in January if Congress and the president don’t act to maintain it.  

Call or write Rep. Ryan Zinke and Sens. Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy today. They’re the only people who can stop this train.

— Jay Cummings, Somers