Library issues

The general public deserves some details about the brewing library controversies.

How much did Flathead County coffers provide for the Whitefish library building? What amount does the county provide for operational and capital support for the Whitefish "branch"?

To what extent do county officials control Whitefish city operations, e.g. food and drink signs and regulations, U.S. flags, etc?

Have any written evaluations of the Whitefish library operations and personnel been made public? Has librarian Joey Kositzky every received anything other than superior ratings over the last two decades?

How often do county library board members personally visit and evaluate the Whitefish library?

These and many more questions should be answered and published in order for the public to understand the present conflict in one of our (the public's' programs.

Richard Solberg

Whitefish

Support Fuller

As retired teachers, we would like to express our appreciation for the exemplary work ethic and dedication of Jackie Fuller and other Whitefish School District staff. Our community is blessed with many top-notch teachers, coaches, administrators and support staff.

What makes a great coach or teacher? We believe it demands dedication, involvement with students, high standards, passion, integrity, patience, a sense of humor, organization skills, compassion and a willingness to stand up for what is right. Jackie Fuller has all of these qualities.

We urge members of the community to give the teachers and staff of Whitefish the support and appreciation that they deserve. We have worked with these individuals for many years and have continually observed their sincere commitment and consistent desire to do what is best for the students. What is best is not always popular.

Cheryl Beck

Reed Kuennen

Whitefish

Theater patron

Jo Em Purdy, a role model and a fighter, left her mark on Alpine Theatre Project and on our community.

After a long and hard-fought illness, Jo Em passed away peacefully at home this morning in Phoenix. Her husband Jim and her family were with her.

Jo Em was one of the original founders of Alpine Theatre Project and a mainstay of our organization. Her beautiful energy made a critical difference during our infant years.

Her determination, selflessness, creativity and wonderfully giving manner inspired us all to ban together to support her in her hours of need. Jo Em made better people of all of us because of who she was and the example she set.

The board members of ATP and its supporters send our prayers and heartfelt sympathies to Jim and to the Purdy family.

Best thoughts and blessings,

Board members

and founding artists

Alpine Theatre Project

Fun run

This year's Whitefish Friends and Family Fun Run/Walk was another huge success, raising $3,300 that will benefit the Child Development Center in Kalispell and the Shepherd's Hand Clinic in Whitefish.

This event, organized by Whitefish Therapy and Flathead Performance Training, had 126 individuals that participated in the 5K and 10K distances and another 14 who joined us in a family walk.

This event brings people of all ages (this year, ages ranged from 2-79) and abilities together to help raise money and have a good time, enjoying the scenery and company of the other participants.

Thanks to our T-shirt sponsors, whose contributions paid for the participant T-shirts. This ensures that all of the money raised through participant registration directly benefits the above fine community service organizations.

These sponsors included Mountain West Bank, Northwest Orthopedics, Army/Navy and Latigo Creek Construction. We would also like to thank Rocky Mountain Images for making the T-shirts and donating part of the cost.

I would also like to thank the major sponsors of this event, who donated not only monetarily, but also contributed their time, services and products to help make this event a success — SPORT Center, Whitefish Therapy, Flathead Performance Training and North Valley Hospital.

There were also a large number of local businesses that donated products and services for the post-race raffle. This is always a very popular event while everyone awaits the results to be posted so that awards can be handed out. Prizes are awarded to the overall 5K and 10K winners in both men's and women's divisions, and awards are given to the top-three finishers in each age group by division and distance.

And last but not least we would like to thank all of the volunteers who helped keep participants on course, well-hydrated and safe.

Thank you again to the 140 participants, the sponsors and volunteers who continue to help this event grow and benefit the community.

Mike Carey, owner

Flathead Performance Training

Whitefish