Dear Friend,
It time to speak up again! On Monday October 4th, both the Flathead County Commissioners and the Whitefish City Council, in two separate meetings, are scheduled to consider approval of proposed amendments to the Whitefish City/County Interlocal Agreement, which, since 2005, put in place a process of joint planning in the roughly two-mile area around Whitefish.
The risk is real! With one "ill-advised" vote, years of hard work and compromise by Whitefish City residents and Whitefish residents who live in the two-mile area around the city, could be easily overturned by the Flathead County Commissioners. This is not the solution Whitefish needs.
Former Montana Supreme Court justice Terry Trieweiler said in the Whitefish Pilot story today: "I'm particularly concerned that the council is willing to cede control over territory that is critical to the community's future based simply on legal advice, which I consider misguided..."..."In a community like Whitefish, whose economy and property values are extremely dependent on the community's appearance to others, nothing is more important than local control of the manner in which the community develops".
(click here to read his full letter)
Take time right now to send a quick email to the Flathead County Commissioners at enelson@flathead.mt.gov and the Whitefish City Council nlorang@cityofwhitefish.org. Ask them to:
- Reject amendments proposed to the 2005 Whitefish City/County Interlocal agreement
- Keep the 2005 Interlocal Agreement in place and let the courts decide its legallity.
- Work together to put in place an elected community council for the two-mile donut and a process for meaningful representation of county residents in this area.
Attend, stand with your friends and neighbors, and speak up against these amendments at the Whitefish City Council Workshop Mon. Oct. 4th, at 6pm and the Public Hearing on this issue that starts at 7:10pm in the Whitefish City Hall. Mail comments to WF City Council, PO Box 158, Whitefish, MT 59937 so they arrive before the meeting.
The Flathead County Commissioners have chosen to not hold a public hearing (?!!), but they are required by law to consider your written comments and to allow pubic comment once a day on any topic, and so on Oct. 4th you can speak on a first come first speak basis during a fifteen minute period at 10am. At 10:30am the commissioners are scheduled to sign the agreement. Don't let them ignore your voice. Flood them with emails and pack the room. Let them know that you care and want a better solution for Whitefish.
Sincerely,
Citizens for a Better Flathead
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