City needs to consider seniors

Realizing the agenda for City Council on Aug. 15 at the Whitefish City Hall included the budget, I attended to comment. Having been told funds for the maintenance of sidewalks and bike paths had been expended, I asked for consideration for an increase.

Their project on Seventh Street West where I reside was now in progress. At a previous meeting at City Hall, the majority of neighbors expressed sentiment, “if you can’t maintain it, don’t build it.” To me, it’s similar to stacking up debt on your credit card without the intention of paying it.

Guess I am justified in speaking up since for decades, I gladly supported schools and healthcare even after being annexed and paying increased taxes.

Now at 80 years old, having asthma, had a heart attack, recent knee replacement and facial surgery to treat skin cancer, I don’t feel able to shovel snow off this 10-foot wide sidewalk/bike path that extends 647 feet along my residence. It has been all I can do to clear away my mailbox.

Our mayor made a comment which was empathetic; I greatly appreciated it.

City Manager Chuck Stearns’ comments equated Seventh Street to Colorado Avenue, which was unfair and discouraged council members from supporting any additional funds. Not long ago Seventh Street was referred to as a “connector” or “corridor” street. It certainly has had greater use year after year, especially with Grouse Mountain development and others who want to avoid stop lights.

Stearns suggested I seek aid from our Whitefish Community Center for shoveling as they have volunteers. I know those good folks eager to help generously give to our community. In my opinion, this is, however, a task beyond what a reasonable person would expect of a volunteer. Besides, other citizens would agree with me that we’ve no doubt seen plenty of money spent on less important things over the years.

How refreshing it would be to have more consideration for the common population and for elderly who often struggle financially and/or physically.

Please let city council members know somehow if you feel, “Senior Lives Do Matter.”

Janet Collins, Whitefish