I love you, you're perfect, now change

Do you feel that is what is happening in Whitefish? It feels like everyone wants to jam their special interest through. They tell us it is for the children. Or this will make it better. Has it made it better?

I remember sitting in the meetings for The Wave. The hospital offered land in their new location, but no, we could not have it there! Why? The Wave could have been used for PT patients, more income, kids could ride their bikes because of the bike path, but wait, I thought the pool was for the children. Why wasn't it built at the high school?

In fact when Central School was redone, why wasn't it moved out in the area of the high school. Then there could be a great auditorium for all the schools and plenty of parking. There could be one central kitchen for the three schools, the eating areas could have been separated by school. I have to admit, I do love the Central School building, but it isn't a good location for children, and sadly is becoming less so.

Ah, I have more questions. Why do you want to kill downtown? This is a small one-of-a-kind unique town, which everyone loves. Yes, there are some very ugly buildings downtown, but they add to the charm and ambiance.

And why do you want to make the parking harder? Have you ever counted the large pickups that park there? Where are they going to park, and why do you think that they will walk from a parking garage?

And speaking of a parking garage, do you know any town this size with a parking garage? Who knows a town this size that plans to build a fancy city hall?

I cannot believe all the money the city has been spending. We have consultants for this and consultants for that. Have you read the transportation plan? You wouldn't believe the pages that say nothing; they must have been paid by the word.

Why is it when someone over pays for a building or land, they whine to the city, and then everyone gives in? Hey, they needed to pencil their investment out and make sure it would work. Also, I thought if zoning said one thing and then there was an ordinance that was stricter in part of the area, it superseded the zoning in that area.

When I moved here, I wasn't going to become involved. I bought a house in the county with no curbs, sidewalks and street lights, but it had city water. No one said anything to me that because I had city water the city could annex me. There was nothing recorded against the deed, no notice, but that didn't stop the city. The next thing I knew, they wanted to redo the street, add sidewalks and street lights. We were able to convince the powers that be, that it wasn't a good idea. Well, a hornet's nest has been stepped in by the city.

In 2006, the Daily Inter Lake did an article titled "Got Subdivisions" which talked about the excess development and over supply of lots. That was two years ago, and the area is still giving in to the developers — can't you just say no?

Why do you want to take Montana out of Whitefish? In fact, out of the Flathead? Also, out of the state? This is Montana — be proud of it, be proud to live here. Why does anyone want to change it to be like any other town, county, state. People come because we are Montana.

I love you, Whitefish, you are not perfect, but you are Montana.

J.W. Hessellund is a resident of Whitefish.