Residents need to get involved

Since stepping down as Whitefish Planning & Building Director in May, I have been approached by dozens of people.

They come up to me in the grocery store, at the farmers market and on the golf course. Some have phoned me at my new office.

Some are friends I have met through the position I held for two years. Others I hardly know.

Some had come into the Planning & Building office where I or one of the other planners had helped them with a problem. Some have attended one or more of the community visioning sessions that have become the foundation for the draft Growth Policy. But wherever I met them before and where ever they find me, their observations are the same:

"I was so sorry to hear that you aren't working for the city any longer."

"I think you were doing a great job."

"The city was heading in the right direction."

"The issues you were raising should have been raised in this community long ago."

"I'm so sorry you had to put up with all of the B.S. and politics to do your job."

"Thank you for standing up for what is right."

"I'm afraid now that we'll lose all of the progress we've made over the past two years."

To those people I say, "Thank you." Thank you for your kind, supporting and encouraging words. But most of all, thank you for caring about the future of Whitefish — and stay involved. The new planning director, city staff, planning board and the city council all need your support to continue laying the planning foundation for this community.

So many people in this community think that the average person isn't listened to by local officials. I can understand those feelings because that's the way it has been in the past — but not any longer.

Most members of our current city council will listen, and they do care. But, they need your support. The stakes are high, and it takes a lot of courage to do what's right for an entire community.

So if you think Whitefish's natural resources need greater protection, if you think Whitefish's small-town feel and unique character are worth preserving, if you think Whitefish needs greater affordable housing opportunities, if you think future growth should respect the qualities of our community and not destroy them, tell the council — they will listen.

Write a letter. Attend a meeting. It really doesn't matter how you get involved or how you stay involved. What matters is that you are involved. And "thank you" again.

Bob Horne is a private citizen in Whitefish who continues to be involved in local issues.