22 Western governors coming here
All eyes will be on Whitefish later this month when 22 U.S. governors representing 19 western states and three U.S. territories convene here for their annual meeting on June 27-29.
The Western Governors Association's 100th anniversary coincides with the centennial of Glacier National Park. Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer, who lived in Whitefish before he left for the governor's mansion in Helena, was chosen chairman of the Association during its meeting last year in Salt Lake City.
Among the notable personalities expected to show up in Whitefish are California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenneger, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer. Twelve of the governors are Republicans, and nine are Democrats. The governor of Northern Mariana Islands is from the Covenant Party. American Samoa and Guam are also represented.
The goal of the Association, which also invites Canadian premiers to its annual conferences, is to advance the role of western states in the federal system, address important policy and governance issues in the West, and strengthen social and economic ties.
This is accomplished by developing and communicating regional policy, providing a leadership forum, building regional capacity to help governors manage their resources more efficiently, conducting research, forming coalitions and partnerships, and building public understanding and support for these policy positions.
The 2010 annual meeting is titled "100 Years of Common Ground." Among the issues vital to the West that will be discussed are smart water management over the next 50 years, improving electrical transmission lines as the region addresses climate change issues, and working across borders to conserve landscapes.
Governors and other participants will meet inside the recently remodeled Whitefish Middle School auditorium, which doubles as a performance hall.
The annual meeting will convene in the auditorium on Sunday at 1 p.m. with the posting of colors by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Veterans Honor Guard and the singing of the national anthem by Alpine Theatre Project founders Betsi Morrison and Luke Walrath.
Governors, dignitaries and their support staff will also have an opportunity to enjoy the Flathead's scenic vistas during a number of scheduled events, including a charity train ride from Whitefish to East Glacier on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. that will benefit the Glacier National Park Fund's centennial campaign.
A shorter "Sunset Dessert" train ride from Whitefish to West Glacier will take place the next day from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Other activities include a movie screening about work by the National Parks Conservation Association and a wildlife tour on Tuesday morning.