Letters to the editor July 23

How about we change things up a bit and create a uniques business friendly atmosphere in downtown Whitefish.

I propose that every evening, through Labor Day, Central Avenue becomes “pedestrian only” after 5 p.m. Other small towns are doing this, across the country, and it appears to be very successful. Restaurants can pull tables out onto the sidewalk and socially distance. They’ll earn much more revenue while occupying all of their tables inside and out. Shops can move racks out onto the street and folks strolling can peruse the merchandise all while socially distancing.

This “pedestrian only” atmosphere is excellent for business and will create a wonderful culture with children playing, parents watching, friends visiting, tourists shopping, etc. Think about it, Whitefish, could be a silver lining!

—Catherine Owens is a Republican candidate for HD5

Recently I had a terrific experience volunteering with Whitefish High School student Luca Welle as citizen lobbyists. We were warmly welcomed in our online meeting with Rep. Greg Gianforte’s office in Washington D.C. Our meeting was one of over 400 held in June by Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) with D.C. lawmakers to ask for a price on carbon pollution. Meetings were also held with the offices of Sens. Daines and Tester.

Luca and I are both members of CCL. This past year we have held local meetings with Montana congressional aides. Luca is not only very knowledgeable on climate solutions but he also brings the younger generation’s perspective.

Climate change is caused by global warming. Carbon dioxide blankets the earth and traps in heat. Burning coal, oil, and gas makes more carbon dioxide. The earth is getting warmer as the carbon dioxide blanket thickens. 97% of climate scientists say humans are causing global warming by burning fossil fuels.

Young people, especially young Republicans, want government action. In a 2019 poll by Luntz Global, 75% of Republicans under 40 supported putting a price on carbon pollution and giving regular dividends to households.

CCL supports the bipartisan Energy Innovation Act (HR763) which puts a price on fossil fuels with net revenue returned to all Americans as monthly payments. It drives down carbon pollution because energy companies and Americans will choose cleaner, cheaper options. Most Americans end up with more money in their pockets.

In Luca’s words “We hope Representative Gianforte will cosponsor the Energy Innovation Act. This policy will benefit our economy, our health, and our futures here in the Flathead Valley.”

I encourage young people take action by joining an organization like CCL where you are given opportunity to amplify your message.

—Robin Paone, Whitefish

The cure is simple: stay at home in your own state. It is a no-brainer. Look around and see all the cars from every state. Have they been tested? Did they bring their negative results? If not, duh! Check the airports from private planes arriving and the local flights as well. I know everyone looks good with their fresh haircuts and nails done!

OK, get real. What are the real covid results? Take away all the real illnesses people had before covid was to blame and, according to news reports I watch, the numbers drop to almost 1%. Wow!

We kill 3,000 babies a day and no one cares, so deal with this covid thing. Take off your masks and breathe deep. Your chances of death are less than 1% and for young people it is .003%.

No matter what you try, this bug will work its way through the population like every other bug out there. The real scare should be the news freaking you out! So either lock down the state or breathe deep.

—Ron Albrecht, Kalispell

Sen. Susan Webber and elected officials wrote a letter to the editor July, 5. In the letter she wrote about the “U.S. Constitution’s immortal declaration that “all men are created equal.’” That declaration is not in the Constitution, it is in the Declaration of Independence.

The senator goes on to state, “It will be hard to overcome the deep-seated, systemic racism that began with the inception of this nation.” If the senator doesn’t know the difference between the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, there is probably a great deal she doesn’t know about the inception of this nation.

—John Trundle, Whitefish

The decision to proceed with the Northwest Montana Fair needs to be reconsidered for the health and safety of the Flathead Valley. We are already seeing COVID-19 cases rise in Montana, and we have to consider the timing of the fair as it relates to students and teachers returning to classrooms for the school year Aug. 26.

The fair attracts people from all over the region and gathers them together in close proximity. Fairs are by nature, dusty, dirty, sticky and in all other years, a total blast. This year it’s going to be known as a super-spreader event. Anyone who works in the schools knows that the fall is an exciting time but it’s also a time of illness as people who’ve been apart come together. This year is like no other and holding the fair dramatically increases the risk of school closures. This will be a huge interruption for us all.

Fair organizers expect their prevention measures to reduce virus transmission but it won’t be enough. Our schools are already fighting an uphill battle to get kids safely into classrooms; why would we do this to them? Five days of fair is not worth months of illness, disruption and suffering.

I work for the school district and am the parent of two elementary students. I am concerned about returning to work but have felt confident that the Flathead Valley had been faring well and making good choices. This is not a good choice. The Northwest Montana Fair creates a population explosion in the Flathead, during an ongoing pandemic, just days before the start of school. Friends and neighbors, please encourage Flathead County to consider the bigger picture and cancel the Northwest Montana Fair.

—Kim Anderson, Kalispell