Stack deserves thanks

In most communities, a dedicated citizen completing 16 hard-working years of unpaid public service, knowledgeably chairing a contentious committee charged with protecting the community's greatest natural asset, would anticipate at least quiet if not public thanks and a pat on the back.

So Jim Stack might be justifiably surprised to receive a mean-spirited tongue-lashing from the Whitefish City Council for saying what everyone has known for years — county enforcement of Whitefish lakeshore regulations is strict, and city enforcement is weak and slow and sloppy.

It gets worse.

The councilor who delivered the self-serving, posturing, "shoot the messenger" tirade was a major author of the "perfect as written" critical areas ordinance, which has polarized the community, played a significant role in the defeat of the high school bond, poisoned the well of philanthropy and leadership from the "doughnut" for many years to come, embroiled the city in litigation with the county for months if not years, and placed millions of dollars of personal property in limbo.

Honest citizens may certainly continue to disagree if Mr. Stack's pursuit of the lakeshore regulations has been too vigorous or just right, but let no one diminish his 16 years of hard work and dedicated intent.

It will be interesting to see how many qualified citizens step forward to fill the vacancy in this time-consuming, now less-than-thankless job.

Andy Palchak

Kalispell