Letters to the editor Sept. 8

Possible parking solution

I see three things going on. 

1. Merchants are concerned over parking being utilized by downtown employees leading to customers not being able to find a parking space. 

2. The public is concerned about not being able to find a parking place to shop downtown and possible misuse of Flock camera data.

3. The city is trying to solve parking, enforcement of parking ordinances and budget along with under utilization of city parking lots. 

Consider a new ordinance requiring employers to provide off-street parking for all employees (private or city lots). This would increase merchant customer traffic which could offset their added operating cost. The city would not have to pay a parking enforcement officer or for Flock cameras. The public would not be concerned over misuse of data, even though there is no expectation of privacy in public.

Best of all, they would be able to shop downtown and support local merchants. 

— Daryl Smail, Marion

Koch supports public lands

Like many of us in House District 4, my family and I have a deep appreciation for the public lands that surround us here in the Flathead Valley and beyond. From after work floats on the Wild and Scenic River that flows through town, to hikes and horseback rides on nearby trails, to harvesting food for our family on public lands, we depend on this landscape for our mental and physical well-being and for the way of life we value.

That connection to our public lands and our ability to access them is why I support Paula Koch for House District 4.

Paula Koch supports responsible resource management that keeps public lands accessible, supports local jobs and ensures Montanans have a voice in decisions about our land. That is the approach I want from my representative: responsible management without sacrificing public access. I want our public lands to remain public. I want wildlife habitat and watersheds protected, while still allowing responsible timber management and resource development where appropriate. We don’t have to choose between responsible management and public access. We can, and should, do both.

Public Lands are part of Montana’s identity, economy, wildlife habitat, clean water and way of life I want our public lands managed for the benefit of all Montanans. That is why I support Paula Koch for House District 4. If you also value our public lands, join me in voting for Paula in November.

— Rebecca Powell, Columbia Falls

Wrong place for cell tower

As a longtime resident and landowner in Whitefish, I am deeply invested in preserving the peace, quiet and untouched landscape of our community. The proposal to erect a massive 5G cell tower at 419 Missy Lane threatens to shatter that reality for everyone living here.

Adding to the frustration, Bridger Tower Corp changed the proposed site after it was originally agreed upon by the landowner. This bait-and-switch results in a new site that is much more visible to the community. At 118 feet on a hill, this tower will become a permanent scar on Whitefish’s landscape, easily viewed from The Lakes, Trailview, the local schools and much of Whitefish.

We all use cellphones, but these intrusive structures belong in commercial zones, not in residential areas. Whitefish already has viable, less obtrusive alternatives that work, including the KJJR tower at Monegan and Voerman, and the facility at the high school.

There is simply no reason to crowd a quiet neighborhood. Beyond ruining our skyline, this tower at coordinates 48 23 46.12, -114 18 11.35 brings stressful, valid concerns regarding our health, as well as a potential 6% to 40% drop in local property values.

Every neighbor in the immediate area stands completely against this project. Please join us in protecting Whitefish by writing letters of opposition to GSS, Inc. and Bridger Tower Corporation.

— Janna Reimer, Whitefish