Osborn speaks out in support of Dr. West

To the editor,

I was present when the Whitefish Pilot reporter spoke with Devra West, who does not claim to be a guru and certainly isn't a cult leader. Among many noteworthy accomplishments, Dr. West is highly regarded internationally for her work in interfaith holistic healing. Devra is also much appreciated for her philanthropy as a humanitarian and conservationist and her generous giving record to local charities was provided during the "off the record meeting," although your article went to great lengths to make no mention of anything normal or legitimate.

I have worked closely with Devra Surya Ma for over 15 years. The lawsuits that you refer to in your attention-getting headlines result from a non-profit's screw-ups, which were dumped in Devra's lap only because she is a person of substantial means and profile. Devra resigned from the advisory board of the non-profit over five years ago.

You also fail to mention the legitimate nature of the other disputes, which deal with routine building contracts, non-disclosure issues and financial negotiations on the part of owners and contractors for real estate Dr. West has considered purchasing. I have seen with my own eyes that as of mid-August not one toothpick has been removed from her waterfront home, although your newspapers are obsessed with your announcements of "Guru Evicted." My question to the newspapers is why?

It is interesting that nothing positive was printed, even though the positives of Devra's life are fairly stellar by anyone's standards, such as her humanitarian work in the Middle East, rather than the demented bunk of third-hand allegations from off-kilter desperadoes to whom you have awarded an automatic platform of credibility. Never, and I repeat never, have I witnessed any of the allegations that were featured in your "hang the guru" article as having one shred of truth to them. But I have witnessed the disgusting and criminal lengths to which delusional individuals like Pat Cole, Rebecca West and their cohorts will go when they think a financial windfall from Devra's family is at the end of their rainbow of corrupt claims.

I fully expect that the legal system will have no difficulty seeing financial extortion for what it is on the part of truly warped individuals. It is a shame that you did not choose to write about the positive aspects of Devra's projects, but then again a story about a successful author who sells mediation books and CDs world wide on her Web site, and her proposed spiritual-health-spa complex is not big news.

Dani Osborn

Fallbrook, Calif.

Stadium needs rebuilt

To the editor,

It was a pleasure coming back to my hometown this past summer. Whitefish is a beautiful area and was a great place for me to play the game of baseball. I had a lot of success growing up playing baseball in Whitefish. From Little League baseball to winning the Regional Babe Ruth Tournament and earning a berth to the Babe Ruth World Series in 1983, baseball was very good to me. More success came after that by being on the only state championship team in Glacier Twins history.

My big disappointment was when I came back to the facility at Memorial Park in Whitefish. The old classic bleachers were gone. I understand that these bleachers were condemned — based on politics. I understand that. But why is there no replacement for the old stadium? This stadium was torn down years ago. The current conditions of Memorial Field made me very sad. Plus the surrounding fields for Little League look abandoned.

What happened to baseball in Whitefish? Where has the game gone? Earning a full scholarship to Gonzaga (University) and experiencing much success there, I feel sorry for the kids today that play the game and have zero atmosphere at these fields. Baseball has been the most successful sport in the North Flathead Valley for a long time by sending student athletes with scholarships to the next level. Why is there no atmosphere at the Twins games?

It seemed as if someone had died when I attended a very important conference game that was crucial for the Twins. You could hear a pin drop. There were no fans with no noise. I am sure these kids and coaches have worked hard to be in contention for a state berth for the first time in over a decade.

What is the Glacier Twins board doing about this? I hope this letter puts a boot up some behinds and helps build baseball back to where it use to be. Maybe they should ask some local people like Julio Delgado, Billy Sapa or Ray Queen and others who helped build baseball back in the 70s, 80s and 90s to get back involved.

I know that if you will build it, they will come.

Billy Walker

South Dakota

Thanks to Dr. Lawson

To the editor,

We want to give out thanks to Dr. Mark Lawson, DVM, of Glacier Animal Hospital in Columbia Falls in regard to our special cat "Guy." We lost Guy due to other circumstances but would like to thank Dr. Lawson for his extra time and research through the University of Georgia Veterinary College to find a cure for Guy's severe allergies. Dr. Lawson and his staff went out of their way to help Guy. Guy became part of their family. We will miss him.

We just want everyone to know how very lucky we are to have Dr. Lawson, his wife, Laura, and staff in our community to help and care for our animals.

Lee and Susie Smith

Columbia Falls

Money for park land could be better spent

To the editor,

Four years ago, I was a city council member when the discussion of selling the city's Cedar Creek property came up. The council discussed the fact that the city was sitting on property in the North Fork that had no practical use to the city. We also looked at the many projects that the city wanted and needed to complete that funds just were not available.

We saw selling off the Cedar Creek property as an opportunity to gain an influx of funds into the city to pay to complete the many small projects needed in the city. The projects discussed were completing the city-wide bike trail, fixing all the crumbling and unsafe sidewalks in the city, adding new sidewalks to areas that required, City Hall upgrades, repair and improvement of city streets and improving the city parks in the city. We also discussed the need to resurface the tennis courts, improve the playground equipment and improve the basketball courts in the city parks.

There were also larger projects discussed that an influx of funds would help with. We knew the sewage treatment plant was going to require an upgrade. Also, the council had discussed the poor and unsafe condition of Talbott Road and Veterans Drive, and the need to widen and improve these roads with the new middle school being built on the intersection of these roads. As these were larger projects, the funds from the sale of the Cedar Creek property could be used to offset some of the expense or be used as matching funds for any grants that might be available.

This week, while visiting my parents, I read in the paper that the city council has approved the purchase of vacant land to build a new park with funds from the Cedar Creek trust fund. I took some time to drive around Columbia Falls. I see that very few if any of those original projects have been completed. There are still sidewalks falling apart, city streets with poor patch jobs and potholes, city parks in poor shape, tennis courts in unusable condition and a need for some updated playground equipment in most parks. Why is the city investing more funds into land for another park when there is a long list of current projects yet to be completed? When and how are these projects going to be funded?

The city's current parks are in need of additional repair and maintenance and the city does not have the funds or personnel to complete this needed work, yet the council has decided to spend more money and add to the current list of parks. I am no longer a resident of Columbia Falls so I don't have a say in what the city does anymore, however, I would seriously be questioning the judgment of the City Council on this decision. My biggest fear would be this turning into another "Pit to Park" project, and in 20 years still be sitting on unapproved swamp land that the city lacks the funds or ability to improve.

It's not too late to contact your City Council mayor and city manager and inform them of the poor decision being made. The decision can still be reversed and use these funds for what they were originally intended.

Sam Hagen

Great Falls