Save the trees

Not too long ago, most of the trees were removed at the former Greenwood Trailer Court just south of the old North Valley Hospital. This was universally regarded as a disgrace to the city of Whitefish.

Now The Banks at Whitefish is proposing a dense collection of 46 town houses, etc. on about five acres to the east and northeast of the old North Valley Hospital.

Well, guess what? In the northeast portion of this site is a dense grove of larch and spruce that the developer, Aspen Group from Scottsdale Ariz., proposes to remove and replace with not-so-beautiful structures.

Have we learned nothing from the Greenwood Trailer Court episode? This proposed development is adjacent to the Whitefish River, a very important city resource used by many canoers and kayakers. The idyllic scene along the river should be preserved not replaced by a less-than-scenic subdivision.

Looking around town, this looks to be a last opportunity to retain a real piece of forest in the city limits, albeit a small one. One would think there would be a city ordinance in place where only rational removal of trees would be allowed by the permitting process.

The public hearing on this subdivision was held before Whitefish City Council on April 20. The council did not seem particularly concerned with this problem but did not reach a decision and continued their discussion until the next council meeting, scheduled for May 4.

Those finding this proposal as distasteful as I do should appear at the May 4 meeting and express their displeasure in advance of the council’s decision.

Ben Cavin

Whitefish

Bartender

We would like to thank all the wonderful and very generous people who supported our Friday night “Mixin It Up With Murph” celebrity bartender event in The Lodge at Whitefish Lake.

A special thank you to Scott, Ringer, Chappy, Kat and the rest of the bartenders and waitresses who made it so much fun. A big thank you also to our friends Walt and Linda Chauner and Suzanne Hitesman for your enthusiasm and contributions.

We’d like to encourage you to support the five remaining celebrity bartenders and their charities every Friday evening from 5-7 p.m. during the next five weeks.

Thanks again for making our night so successful and for benefiting the Class of 2009. We had a great time.

Tim and Joyce Murphy

Whitefish