Stand up for Big Mountain

Robert Foley stated that the vandalism to the Whitefish Mountain Resort sign gives locals a bad name, and that the actions show we don't appreciate the mountain.

If we didn't appreciate the mountain, we obviously wouldn't be making such a big deal about changing the name of Whitefish's historic Big Mountain. Locals are only risking criminal punishment to make a statement, but evidently we don't appreciate our mountain.

Standing up for our beloved Big Mountain and the history of the town is not giving locals a bad name. It shows that we care about the mountain and don't want to watch it be changed into another devised money-making scheme. Fighting back for what we believe is right does not give us a bad name.

Foley also stated that we should be thankful for the resort in our town, or it might not be there in the future. Since we don't agree with the changes on the mountain, that means we are not thankful?

The locals are the most grateful for Big Mountain and everything it stands for. We just want to keep the mountain local-friendly. When Foley states the mountain will not be here in the future, is he referring to wanting to privatize the mountain?

Also, Big Mountain will always be here, and would be doing just fine, if not better without Bill Foley's so-called help.

Why should the true locals wants and needs for the town be made by those who live in Whitefish for a few weeks out of the year. Our town is obviously not a local-friendly place anymore. It seems as if those in control of decisions for the town only care about the money they can bring in.

What those in power don't understand is the locals will do whatever it takes to be heard. What happened to the small peaceful town of Whitefish we all once knew? The locals want to bring that town back, and now is the time.

Lacie Fleming

Whitefish