Come up with a better plan for the high school

With all the hype to pass the Whitefish High School bond, I have a couple of questions. Hasn’t anybody but me noticed we are in a recession? How about double-digit unemployment? Why can Whitefish no longer afford to be a retirement community? How come our taxes keep going up and our city services seem to be declining? Where is all that resort tax money going? I don’t see much street maintenance being done. How come there isn’t a plan B in place for the high school upgrade?

I can see the eyes rolling back in some folks heads for the questions I am asking. Let me start with the slap in the face about “Whitefish can no longer afford to be a retirement community.”

We have been residents of Whitefish 40 years now. Always paid my taxes on time and supported the local businessman. We raised three children here, all attended and graduated from the Whitefish school system. Not once did I hear any complaining about how bad the conditions at the school were.

Sure we need to upgrade the high school, but at this point in time do we have to spend close to $20 million. I say let’s come up with something a little easier to swallow.

Our newly elected city officials need to look out for the people that have lived here all their lives and like us, half of our lives and not just to the ultra-wealthy that move here. Sure they can afford a big hit on their property taxes, we can’t. I would dare any of these people to live on what we do and pay more property taxes. What’s next, a new City Hall? Will we be called on to pay for that as well? Of course we will.

They city of Whitefish needs to tighten its belt and look for ways to cut spending, and not be calling on its residents for more and more taxes.

 — John Lyman