Booming economy can bring crooks

A few words concerning the boomtown of Whitefish:

The current plethora of opportunities is a joy to behold, an absolute wonder to see so much development, activity and available employment. After 28 years in business in Montana, I'm sometimes overwhelmed by the available choices.

Unfortunately, as with every boom, this has also attracted a great number of less-than-qualified developers, contractors, tradesmen and a few outright crooks.

Please try to keep in mind what brought us here in the first place — open space, unique character and recreational opportunities.

This past winter, I was involved in the rescue of a good man's home from the hands of an unscrupulous contractor. The homeowner shares some responsibility for the mess his job and home had become. The project went over budget by 30 percent, over time by 100 percent and had turned into an absolute nightmare.

I would like to thank the following individuals and businesses for their integrity, honesty and hard work: Dave Reirsgard, master carpenter, good man and dedicated tradesman; Sean "The Pirate" Kelly, master carpenter and a new man; Lee Young, owner of Prestige Roofing, an artist dedicated and reliable; A Cut Above Drywall, Brian Olson and crew, until the rock is up, it's just a pile of sticks; Ted Sagen, master plumber, honest man, nuff said; Kevin Jones and crew at Sun Electric, brilliant save of a game that looked lost, thanks, KJ; "Full Throttle" Frank Taglia, texture man, painter and man of his word; lastly, young Chase Florey, best laborer I ever had, big smile, good attitude and a hard worker.

These men are what Montana is all about. Their word is good, their work is good.

Kyle Ortman

Whitefish