Council candidates want full 6-week streetscape trial

We are writing regarding rumors we have heard regarding the downtown streetscape project. Specifically, we are concerned that the Whitefish City Council may act to engage the contractors prior to the conclusion of the six-week trial period for the extended sidewalk mock-up.

The city council did the right thing by agreeing to the six-week trial period in response to a request by downtown business owners. The trial is already having the hoped-for effect of generating greater conversation and consideration. We have both heard sincere perspectives from business owners on both sides of the issue since the extensions were deployed.

The sidewalk extensions were installed barely two weeks ago, on or about July 30. We have recently heard rumors, however, that the city council intends to vote on the proposed streetscape contract on Aug. 17, hardly the full six-week trial period agreed to by the council.

In fact, the Whitefish Pilot, in its July 30 article titled "City to Repeat Central Ave. Experiment," noted that the time period would be six weeks and stated that "Comments may be sent to publicworks@cityofwhitefish.org, mailed to City of Whitefish, Public Works Department, P.O. Box 158, Whitefish MT 59937 or by calling 863-2460."

Obviously, those wishing to comment would presume a deadline of Sept. 10. If the rumors of an Aug. 17 vote for contract approval are accurate, then something is seriously amiss.

We hope that our information is inaccurate and that no vote is planned for any time prior to Sept. 10. As candidates for city council, we believe that the city has an obligation to show respect for its own processes and its citizens by sticking to its six-week trial, and we urge the council to wait to vote until the trial has run its full course.

This will give the downtown merchants, as well as the rest of the citizens of Whitefish, the assurance that our city council is thoroughly analyzing the streetscape project before spending additional taxpayer dollars.

Chris Hyatt and Bill Kahle, of Whitefish, are candidates for the Whitefish City Council.