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Don’t OK plan for RV park in West Glacier

I am writing today to express my concern with the Flathead County commissioners’ possible approval of Glacier Park Inc.’s proposed RV park in West Glacier, as is, which has been sent to them by the county planning board for approval.

Having been a Flathead Country resident for 41 years, I have personally observed the growth and changes that have occurred, both good and bad. My family and I are avid outdoor people and have greatly enjoyed the abundant, varied and wonderful activities that we are blessed to have in the Flathead. Quite a few of these activities have involved being in the West Glacier area as either a beginning or ending point of activities such as rafting or hiking, or golfing at the course there, or simply driving through on our way into Glacier Park.

While growth is inevitable, all of us hope for a wise plan to guide it. It is also true that many of us live or do business here because we believe that there will be only a reasonable amount of restrictions on the free use of our private properties in the form of government laws, rules and regulations.

Having said all that, I feel that the planning board’s approval for this very large business development as currently presented by GPI is not wise, and I am asking that the commissioners send it back to them for a reasonable downward revision in the number of sites to be originally built. There may be a need for this type of development in the West Glacier area, but not on the proposed scale.

Even with the record number of visitors to Glacier Park in recent summers, I would hazard an educated guess that there were campsites and cabin rentals that already exist in the greater Glacier/Flathead area that went unused on more than just a few nights. I do not believe that we are obligated to make it possible for visitors to stay as close as they can to Glacier Park, to the detriment of that area’s residents, which the added traffic would surely cause.

Please DO NOT approve the Glacier Park Inc. plan for the RV and rental cabin development at West Glacier, as currently proposed.

Please DO send this proposal back to the county planning board for revision downward. Expansion in the future will always be possible. —Elizabeth K. Wood, Kalispell

Kalispell’s fixes just make things worse

Why is the city of Kalispell so intent on spending our money on useless projects? First, the city revamps First Avenues East & West to add $1,000 benches for no one to use, then adds sidewalk bubbles to prevent cars from making right turns at the intersection. All that this did was add to the automobile congestion. And the only people I’ve ever seen using the “expensive benches” are the residents of the Rosebriar Hotel.

Now the city plans to revamp Third and Fourth Avenues East from one-way to two-way streets. Why? Parking will surely become a problem. Please consider spending our money on something worthwhile, not just on government waste. When something works, don’t fix it! —Ken Foote, Kalispell

Does Quist just need paycheck?

It’s a hard truth, but one that shouldn’t be overlooked. Rob Quist has a shaky financial past. The Democrat candidate for Congress blames a botched surgery for that (without giving details on a likely settlement), and now says he’s more qualified for the seat because of it. Really? Having a history of unpaid bills, unpaid taxes, and financial lawsuits is not a higher qualification for office than a track record of business success and generosity, such as Greg Gianforte has.

The trouble is liberals in Washington just can’t wait for a guy who mismanages money to get there. Such a person will quickly get swallowed up by the pressures and influence of big money. We’ve seen it happen in Montana already; just look at Sen. Tester. He’s one of the pharmaceutical industry’s biggest recipients of campaign cash, and votes against making those drugs more affordable for Montanans. He’s also received donations from liberal groups who don’t support our Second Amendment right to defend ourselves, and then votes against a Supreme Court nominee who does support that constitutional right, as does the vast majority of my friends and neighbors.

If Rob Quist gets to Washington, I fear he won’t have what it takes to stand up against those powerful influences. Not to mention his motives are questionable. He’s paying himself $2,000 a month out of his campaign donations to run for office. That’s on top of the fact that nearly every one of his expenses is also paid by the campaign. So, what is it, Rob? Do you want to serve the people of Montana, or do you just need a paycheck?

Greg Gianforte shares my Montana values, and I believe his motives are to serve and not be served. We need more folks like him in Washington. —Billee Collins, Polson

Linden for school board

We’ve known Rebecca Linden for 20 years and feel that she would be an excellent choice to be elected to the Kalispell Elementary School Board. She looks at problems as opportunities in a big-picture way.

Rebecca has great ideas about communications, how to create better and more efficient relationships, ways to better support teachers, all while making sure that education is prioritized as the primary mission. She has a passion for education and will always look after the best interests of the students.

Even though we live in Whitefish, we believe enough in Rebecca to encourage our friends in Kalispell to mail in or drop off your election ballot so your vote gets counted before the May 2 deadline. Rebecca would be a great representative for the elementary school — she is a smart choice and would be an important voice. Please vote. —Brian and Lyndsay Schott, Whitefish

Gianforte won’t fight for Montana

I have read with sadness the letters in support of Greg Gianforte for Congress. Give him credit for his achievements; yet the fear of what Rob Quist would bring fed by mean spirited outside interests is wicked.

What does higher taxes to pay for entitlements really mean? It fundamentally means that we take care of those who cannot take care of themselves. Can we really believe Gianforte will fight on the side of Montana, where nearly 20,000 live below the poverty line? When he tells Sally Mauk of Montana Public Radio that Trump has achieved much of what he promised? Outside of the Supreme Court justice, would he please point to action that would survive scrutiny?

As for my husband and me, we pay 50 percent more than our house payment for health insurance. Is that difficult? You bet it is. But we chalk it up to our part in taking care of those who would be unable to pay otherwise.

It boils down to who we can trust. Not a multi-millionaire. Not an elitist.

Rob Quist has the spirit and heart to stand up for Montana. Both sides of the House will be watching him. I have faith that his presence will teach a new priority from the current agenda. I pray that others will follow. —Nancy T. Glueckert, Polson