Potholes, pancakes and planning

Yes, it's that time of year. We've gone from one of the two seasons in Montana, like many other states, to another — from winter to construction season. It appears there won't be a lot of construction on the highways in Flathead County. But city crews in Columbia Falls will sure be busy, for at least awhile, filling potholes. I was thinking about addressing the town's potholes when, coincidentally, I received a Letter to the Editor from a young man (see page A5) who voiced his concern about the subject. I can identify with what he's saying.

In all my years of driving, I don't remember a city street so beleaguered by potholes than Talbott Road — especially from 12th Street to Hilltop Road. It's incredible the quantity and depth of the holes in the street. Even when you slow to 10 to 15 MPH, your vehicle takes a beating, especially in the suspension. If you've been driving Talbott this spring, you're advised to have your alignment checked, but you might want to wait a bit.

Since I've only lived in Columbia Falls since last July, I was unaware of the plan to reconstruct Talbott Road, as well as Veterans Drive, early this summer. That's certainly good news. Voters passed a $1.1 million bond last June to pay for the reconstruction. I spoke with City Manager Bill Shaw on Tuesday and he said the job will go out for bid in May, and the project will begin in June. The time frame, from start to finish, will be two to four weeks. Shaw said Talbott Road is "just worn out."

In the meantime, a city crew will temporarily fill some of the larger potholes on Talbott Road. Pothole filling in town began about two weeks ago.

Shaw said Talbott was a county road until 2000. At that time, when the walking path was constructed, Talbott was annexed into the city.

Going along with the good news is the not-so-good news: There will be delays and some rerouting while the contractor lays a new surface. But, by the Fourth of July, Talbott and Veterans will have a smooth, new blacktop.

PANCAKES AND SCRAMBLED EGGS, anyone? It's almost time for the annual Columbia Falls Lions Club pancake feed. The fundraiser for the Club is for a very worthy cause. So load up the family on Saturday and head down to the North Valley Senior Citizens Center for the pancake feed. Hours are 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be pancakes, scrambled eggs, coffee and juice served by Club members. Word has it that local Scouts will also lend a hand during the event. There will be a "split the pot" opportunity as well. Get out and support the Lions Club, which in turn helps buy eyeglasses for needy children and provides funding for other worthwhile causes. You might think about buying a breakfast for a veteran.

DURING TUESDAY'S COLUMBIA Falls Area Chamber of Commerce economic development meeting, talk around the table was about spring turning into summer. Dee Brown of Canyon RV and Campground anticipates visitors to be staying longer at facilities such as hers due to the ever-rising price of fuel.

Carol Blake of North Valley Hospital said there are tough times in the health care industry, but the Whitefish facility is holding its own. Patient volume is up 56 percent, and surgery volume is 12 percent higher than the same period last year. Blake said the hospital will have a new clinic in Eureka, a growing community.

Mike Strotheide of Montana West Economic Development reported that the E-2 — Entrepreneur to Entrepreneur — programs on the fourth Tuesday each month continue with an event on Tuesday, April 22 from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Flathead Valley Community College in the Arts and Technology Building, downstairs in room 144A. Lunch is free. The topic is entitled Marketing and Advertising 101.

Lyle Mitchell of State Farm Insurance said the State will hold a hearing next Monday, April 21 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kalispell about a proposal to restrict use of electronic reader boards. That could affect the welcome signage planned for Columbia Falls. Mitchell said reader boards are critical to the tourist industry and also important in keeping local people informed about community events. The hearing will discuss anything from movable signs to LED displays. Brown also voiced her support for the use of reader boards. Mitchell said that the Montana Department of Transportation uses reader boards all the time, indicating that restricting use of such devices by businesses and communities would create a double standard.

In other discussion during Tuesday's meeting, a Hungry Horse Villages development meeting was set for Wednesday (April 16) in the Earl Bennett Building in Kalispell. It was said that the infrastructure impact on the town of Hungry Horse is a concern of many current residents.

Don Bennett of Freedom Bank spoke about the motocross races the weekend of April 26-27 at Hungry Horse, sponsored by the Columbia Falls Kiwanis Club. Bennett said the big 32-year-old event will feature from 450 to 600 racers. It's the longest-running motocross event in the state. Another positive shot in the arm for our local economy.

Joe Sova is the managing editor of the Hungry Horse News.