Looking Back for October 12

A look back at past Pilot articles by Julie Engler

50 Years Ago

October 12, 1972

A surprise snowfall of nearly five inches was cited as the heaviest accumulation so early in the season in at least 32 years, according to Cliff Harris, U.S. Weather Service observer for Whitefish. The early snowfall caught motorists unaware and caused numerous accidents, according to the highway patrol. Spokesperson Jo Ellen Kaselder on the Big Mountain noted a nine inch cover in various places at the bottom of the mountain as opposed to approximately three inches at the top.

40 Years Ago

October 14, 1982

A transient occupancy fee or “bed tax” ordinance was adopted by the city council. A committee meeting primarily designed to set a proposal for the actual fees to be charged, allowed for further debate on the ordinance itself. Two hours after the talking began, a group of about 10 motel owners convinced the city council's finance committee that a proposed fed tax sought to be shelved.

30 Years Ago

October 8, 1992

After the Montana Valley Club had been approved by the Planning Board, the Council and the Flathead County Commissioners, the Whitefish City Council reconsidered the 546-acre project and unanimously voted to table the issue for a month. One of the five principals in the Montana Valley Land Co., is among 11 parties named as defendants in a multimillion dollar civil lawsuit over a similar golf course development in California.

20 Years Ago

October 10, 2002

The Whitefish School Board approved an agreement between the school district and Architects West based on approval of a bond issue and preliminary proposals presented by the company for construction on Central School and Whitefish High School. According to Superintendent Jerry House, Architects West presented three more construction options for the Central School project and two more options for the high school.

10 Years Ago

October 10, 2012

Whitefish City Council approved a permit for construction of a new Whitefish High School, but some councilors had reservations due to recent design changes, about which they were not previously aware. Conditions for approval of the design included changes to the siding material that changed the look of the building drastically. Bayard Dominick, the school’s advisor on the project said the revised design was meant to mimic the architecture of historical buildings in Whitefish and in Glacier Park.