Likes Mitchell

We are pleased to endorse Phil Mitchell for the Whitefish City Council. We have known Mr. Mitchell for several years and know him as a dedicated volunteer with a history of public service.

In addition, Phil's business skills and financial leadership makes him the best choice for our city council.

Mark and Shirley Schmidt

Whitefish

Paw painting

On behalf of the Whitefish High School Student Council, we'd like to thank the people who helped us out a couple Saturdays ago painting the Dawg Paws from Mike's Conoco to the high school.

The Whitefish Fire Department gets a huge thank you for their presence doing both traffic control and just plain helping out moving traffic cones, etc. We appreciate your help making this event a safe one for our kids and the other people involved.

Another huge thanks goes to Richard Zielke, who loaned us a paint sprayer when the one we had quit on us. Without it, this project would have been put on hold till who knows when. Thanks a bunch Richard.

Jerry House, thanks again for driving the ATV and setting a pace that got us done in good time. Kerin Gayner, Jeannie Sattler and Allison O'Briant, thanks for the parent support and your help along the way. John Wilson, Jay Barranger and Steve Carlson, thanks for the use of the city's signs and safety vests again this year.

To those of you who slowed down for us, thanks for being considerate of our kids and their efforts at doing this project.

Lastly, to the community of Whitefish, you can sleep easy at night knowing the Dawg Paws are now anatomically correct as they do have claws this year

Chuck Holbrook

Jeremy Anderson

Student Council advisors

Likes Sweeney

Whitefish city councilors have no easy task, although it is a very rewarding position when you know you've done your homework. One particular challenge is the spin cycles, which muddle the truth and leave out key components of an issue. The sound bites reel you in, but you're not sure whom to believe.

The fact is, unless you're sitting in that council seat, you won't have received all the information. When I was first on council, I struggled to find a better way to recap to the public how a decision was made, sharing the information-collection process. There simply isn't enough time. It's an arduous process and an eye opener once you serve.

There are many layers of laws, meetings and committees that encompass decisions. The committee process is a positive system, and balance is sought when selecting a panel, all sides having a voice at the table, including varying positions from the public, city staff, specialists if needed, and a council representative, all working toward consensus through education. We have a thorough open public process, our city is well run, and we need to trust it, not spin it.

We now have choices to make to aid our city. A quality councilor requires intelligence, lots of spare time to serve on extra committees, an open mind to take in all sides of all issues and a responsibility to always vote in the best interest of Whitefish, not a special interest.

Frank Sweeney has proven he has these qualities and therefore has my vote. Many complexities of the job are well served with historical knowledge; his experience will be an asset. As for the other candidates, I need more information.

The one-sided telephone poll and the special-interest spin flyer I received makes me ask — do these candidates actually back the spin, or are they being spun? Time will tell.

Cris Coughlin

Whitefish

For Mitchell

I have known Phil Mitchell for three years and have worked with him in my role as the president of Whitefish Baseball.

I have found him to have strong morals, integrity, firm work ethic and an ability to communicate and work well with others.

He demonstrates common sense in his thoughts and actions. He stands behind his ideals for the community by organizing and helping do the actual work to get things done.

I feel Phil Mitchell would be an excellent representative on the Whitefish City Council. He would work for the citizens of Whitefish for common-sense solutions

E.J. Walp

Whitefish

Out of stater

I'm one of those out-of-state absentee Northwest Montana property owners. I'm always amazed at the folks I speak to on the phone or meet when we are visiting. They are courteous, helpful, interested and a pleasure to deal with.

All the things you take for granted, and we should expect from each other no matter where we live, do not take place on a regular basis where I come from.

Sad, but true. While I thought I wanted to live in Montana because of the beautiful sorroundings and exceptional recreational activities, I find it has as much to do with the folks that live here.

So all of you that want those pesky "out-of-towners' to vacate Montana just aren't trying hard enough to run us off.

Cathy Beck

Whitefish/Florida