Man’s actions reflect poorly on Whitefish

As someone who has visited the Whitefish area and has loved Montana (as a visitor) for many years, it was with great sorrow and regret that I watched the ugliness unfold on my computer screen, in living color — Whitefish business owner Jay Snowden, screaming in the faces of people who were protesting peacefully, right there on city streets that I’ve walked during calmer times.

One of the things I’ve loved about the city, and the state in general, was the sense of “live and let live,” an open spirit that once thrived there.

I’m sure it still does. But when a bully gets in the face of local people who are peacefully speaking their minds, a bully who owns a business in town and says disgusting, vile things, which go viral in minutes — well, of course it says a lot about one man’s cowardice, but it also says a lot about Whitefish.

Should I be hesitant about visiting from now on? Is it no longer OK to speak one’s mind in a civil manner, or to defend the rights that all Americans should enjoy?

My sincere hope is that this bully goes to jail and has some time to think about his ridiculous behavior, and how it not only shows him for a coward with uncontrollable temper, but how it reflects on his fair city also.

Jerry Grillo, Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia