Pretty cool town'

My girlfriend and I stopped at The Bean Hive for coffee and a bagelwich, attempting to resolve our combined "time-management issues" This is a theme not uncommon to most of us, I imagine. We all have places to be, jobs, families, animals and activities to tend to.

We lingered comfortably as friends came and went. There was no rush to "turn" the table. We could've sat in those seats all day.

Finally, we waved bye to the good folks that served us, deciding to delay work for a while longer and walk our dogs on the bike path. We crossed with bikers, skateboarders and baby-jogging moms, all friendly casually exchanging greetings.

The dogs chased sticks in our Whitefish River (labs, can't keep 'em outta there). Upon our departure, we watched six deer attempt to discern what a mountain bike was.

Brooke looked at me and said, "Pretty cool town."

"Yep, still is," I replied.

And I think it will continue to be. After visiting with some friends at the Whitefish Credit Union and the Post Office, I noticed that the nets were up at the tennis courts, public works was performing some duties around the bridge, and mothers and children were romping across the street at our Kiddie Park. I pulled into my driveway, the neighbors enjoying the spring sun, their kids reveling in the last of the winter's snow.

Yes, there are plenty of pressing issues, changes (for the better is the intent), opposing views and controversy, but we are still a small, close-knit community. If we continually emphasize our common ground, not differences, we can find consensus.

Let's work together to keep our "pretty cool town." Enjoy the spring, neighbors.

Ryan Friel

Whitefish city councilor