City and county can communicate

At the Whitefish City Coun-cil meeting last week, I heard the city councilors say that they realize they are having a communication problem with the county.

It is extremely important that the city and the county communicate with each other so that they know where they mutually agree. It is always easier to find agreement if we start from a point of agreement, rather than a point of disagreement.

I read with interest Commis-sioner Gary Hall's letter to the editor regarding, among other things, commercial zoning on U.S. Highway 93 South. At the council's growth policy workshop last week, a consultant hired by the council said it has been the policy of the council for 20 years to discourage commercial zoning on South 93.

He made that comment at a city council workshop, where the public is not supposed to speak.

Why do we want to continue to follow what made sense 20 years ago when the town has grown so dramatically in that period? Commercial growth has to go somewhere, and the discussion should be where we want it, not where we do not want it.

Commissioner Hall is trying to look after his constituents in the two-mile area outside the city limits. In addition, whether you agree with him or not, he should be applauded for trying to look after his constituents.

I was greatly encouraged to hear that the Whitefish City Council is looking to resume their Fifth Monday Meetings with the cities and the county. It is very important to know what each other's strengths and weaknesses are so that we can support each other and continue to grow as a healthy community.

May good sense and cooperation prevail as we move forward.

Turner Askew

Whitefish