Support Amtrak

Last Friday, Gov. Brian Schweitzer, Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger, Rep. Dennis Rehberg, our local state Sen. Dan Weinberg and state Rep. Mike Jopek, along with a lot of other officials, showed up for the Amtrak press conference at the O'Shaugnessy.

But it seemed to me that they outnumbered the locals. I heard that in Havre, 150 of their local people showed up for Amtrak. Yet here in Whitefish, I saw maybe 50 local folks.

Part of the problem is maybe that our local paper did a very poor job of letting our community know that the press conference was taking place. A small article on page 7 and no mention in the editorial, even though it dealt with Amtrak, which affects Whitefish so heavily.

All I know is that the Bush administration has proposed a zero budget for Amtrak, which means the end of the Empire Builder through our town, and the end of Amtrak passenger train service across 90 percent of our country.

Over the past 20 years, Amtrak has been so underfunded that the passenger cars that we taxpayers have bought are sitting in the dead line due to lack of funds to repair them and get them rolling again. This despite that sleeper cars on the Empire Builder are sold out months ahead.

The demand is there. The cars and funds to get them rolling are not. Rehberg is supporting Amtrak funding appropriations Bill HR1630. Since most of you missed the press conference (and a delicious locally grown free lunch afterwards), I'd encourage you to call Rep. Dennis Rehberg at 1-888-232-2626, Sen. Max Baucus at 1-800-332-6106, and Sen. Conrad Burns at 1-800-344-1513 and let them know that you do support Amtrak at the higher funding level.

Ward B. McCartney III

Fond farewell

As long time yoga practitioners and yoga instructors at the Whitefish Yoga Center, we would like to thank Vicki Bernstein and Chris Crumal for their unwavering effort to keep the Whitefish Yoga Center open and contributing wholeheartedly to the community of Whitefish.

Even though the doors of the Whitefish Yoga Center are closing due to a recent wave of economic factors, the practices of yoga and pilates have become an essential part of the lives of many.

The yoga center has grown to be more than a place for physical exercise — it is an integral part of our community, a friendly gathering place for people from all walks of life, a place to expand one's horizon, forge new friendships and find peace of mind.

In this spirit, a group of yoga instructors have decided to continue the local tradition so fervently supported by Vicki and Chris. For the summer (starting June 7), we have gratefully committed to continue to teach yoga classes at the Rolling Mirror Massage and Wellness Center, while we are continuing our search for a space to rent as our community of yoga practitioners continues to grow. Please swing by the Rolling Mirror to check out our new space and pick up a schedule of classes and wellness offerings.

Namaste, Gerda Reeb and Arlisa Dailey.

Natives needed on city council

First, let me say thank you to our veterans for all that they have done and continue to do.

Now for the next thing, we need to clean out our city council and some of our city government.

I do not believe that having Mr. Palmer is the right thing for us and Whitefish. I believe that we need to get back to having our natives on the city council, ones that will care about Whitefish and all of the people in Whitefish.

Just look and think about what we have now, and look at what has become of Whitefish and its people. We use to have great winter carnivals. We had people like Robert Fuller and Julie London from the show Emergency. We had Dennis Weaver from the show McCloud. And others has well.

Now that is gone. The city council that we have has what I believe is ruined our town.

Now for my last thing to write about. If you and your kids and/or pets are out walking, please do not walk on other people's property unless you ask. If there is not a public road or sidewalk, then it is private property. Respect that please. Thank you.

Carol Hale

Avalanche event a success

Glacier Country Avalanche Center would like to extend a huge "thank you" to all who took part in avalanche awareness events and education this past winter.

There will be a season's end barbecue with GCAC board members, staff, instructors and community volunteers on Sunday, June 12, at 5 p.m. at Whitefish City Beach pavilion.

Anyone with an interest in GCAC and its programming is cordially invited to attend for food, refreshments and socializing. Please call 862-5686 or go online at www.glacieravalanche.org with questions, or to let us know if you plan to attend.

Thanks to all for a safe and successful winter season.

Kyle Fedderly

Glacier Country Avalanche Center