Bill Foley is misunderstood

It is understandable but very unfortunate that Kelly Mull (Whitefish Pilot, Aug. 16) and all the Pilot readers were left the false impression that the Foleys are in violation of the Whitefish Lake and Lakeshore Protection Regulations.

The photo and headline in the Pilot article from Aug. 2 is very misleading. Jim Stack infers that they are maintaining a lawn within the 20-foot protection zone where, in fact, their shoreline is natural grasses in their natural state, with the lawn beginning well back from the protection zone. They are not now, nor have they ever been, in violation.

In reference to Kelly's concern about the mountain — the new board, of which Mr. Foley is chairman, has taken a business in dire financial trouble and infused it with much-needed capital improvements, to the benefit of every local and tourist who rides its slopes.

In my five-year dealings with Mr. Foley, I have found him to be a gentleman very true to his word. Unfortunately, his intentions in this town have been dramatically misunderstood.

Tom LaChance

Whitefish