Letters to the editor March 28
Support the Warming Center
I have recently been a guest at the Flathead Warming Center, which is such an integral part of our community. With affordable housing almost impossible to find, many citizens are in need of a place to stay, shower, do laundry, and have meals.
The staff there amazing and supportive of everyone who is a guest. Many people from the community also find time to volunteer serving meals and making sure that the warming center has enough supplies for the over 40 people that stay every evening.
However, they could always use more community support through monetary donations as well as hygiene products and clothing.
The unfortunate reality is that they close down at the end of April for the season. It would be excellent if they could remain open year round, however as an emergency shelter they have limitations as to how long they can remain open through the winter.
What Kalispell really needs is a city-owned homeless shelter for people who will no longer have a place to stay come May. The Samaritan House and Ray of Hope are privately owned homeless shelters, but it really is not correct that the city or county cannot open their own shelter with taxpayer money.
Many people that are homeless are just regular people that have lost their job, do not get paid enough for the extremely ridiculous rent in the Flathead, or a simply down on their luck. It is a total misconception that homeless people are bums and bad people. We are all human beings and we all need support.
Please consider donations for the Warming Center, but they do ask you call them first (406) 885-3042 as they have limited space for storage.
— Matt Evans, Kalispell
Short-term rentals
Having been a short-term rental host for the past five years, I found Sharon Morrison’s letter (Short-term rentals a long-term problem) one-sided, politically agenda-ized and a failure when it comes to sharing the heart and homes of many, if not most short-term rental hosts.
Granted some entities are using short-term rentals as a capitol building venture, but isn’t that one of the freedoms of living in America – the right to choose who and when we will build a business? If a motel/hotel is doing a good job – they will keep getting customers. If a poor job – they are down the tubes. Same with an short-term rental. Let the chips fall where they may.
I have hosted over 800 reservations in my home, with an average of 4.9 stars out of 5. In the short-term rental world this equates to doing a “good job” – of which I am proud, grateful, and worthy of your listening ears. Being a host gives me the opportunity to build our community in a positive manner – my guests are welcomed warmly, provided with clean comfortable surroundings, consistency in description and amenities. My guests receive suggestions to favorite restaurants, activities in our area and help to make their stay in my home and in my community so positive that they want to return…. which has happened many times! How can this possibly be bad for our community?
On a personal note, having a short-term rental in my home keeps me in my home. With rising property taxes, utilities’ costs, maintenance costs it is nice to have some of that financial burden carried. It also allows me the privilege of hiring locals – cleaning, lawn maintenance, repairs, etc. How can this possibly be bad for our community?
— Morna Gilbert, Spokane
Parce for county commission
We have an amazing new candidate running for Flathead County Commissioner: Jason Parce.
Jason is a KPD Officer and K-9 handler and has been with the department since 2008. He and his K-9 Cairo have worked as a team since 2017 and hold certifications from the USFS Law Enforcement Canine Program and the Pacific Northwest Police Detection Dog Association (PNWK9).
Officer Parce has created and led programs to encourage and empower our youth. He currently serves as president of the board of Flathead CARE, a nonprofit organization committed to reducing the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs by youth in Flathead County. Jason and Cairo give presentations and demonstrations to local schools, homeschool groups and various community organizations. They have also participated in Kids Camp on Flathead Lake for several years.
Jason Parce has proven management skills and he pursues truth and justice in his work and in our community. He will make a great county commissioner and will work on behalf of We the People.
Please remember his name and vote for him in the primaries in June 2022!
— Julie Baldridge, Kalispell
Library board
My wife and I volunteered at the Kalispell library for years. We witnessed firsthand the efficiency, dedication, and professionalism of the library staff. There were no problems at the library and there were no political agendas either left or right.
The problems started when David Ingram, Doug Adams and Heidi Roedel became the newest members of the Library Board. These three have decided they are going to take over the daily operations of the library and rewrite all procedures. This micro management of the library has created chaos and turmoil not only in the library staff but has also extended into our community and state.
This toxic work environment created by Ingram, Adams and Roedel has led to the resignation of the children’s librarian, the library director Connie Behe, the interim library director Martha Furman, and the resignation of Charlotte Housel, executive director of the Library Foundation, and Bruce Newell, chair of Montana State Library Commission.
One of the excuses Doug Adams gives for this mess is “The library doesn’t listen to the public.” The vast majority of letters to the editor are in support of the library and library staff and condemns the actions of Adams, Ingram and Roedel. It is the library board, and Flathead County Commissioners that are NOT listening to the public.
Enough is enough. It’s time for the county commissioners to replace Adams, Ingram and Roedel.
— Mike Lauman, Kalispell