Looking Back for June 7
A look back at past Pilot articles by Julie Engler.
50 Years Ago
June 7, 1973
Acquisition of a city park site, to be located across from the golf course and next to the border patrol station, was approved by the city council. According to Councilman Fred Stacey, the land was being made available by the Department of Interior, Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, at no cost to the city. The one stipulation was that it must be developed and plans for that development must be filed immediately. Matching funds were available from the State Forestry Service, and Alderman Art Engelter explained that this does not necessarily mean a cash outlay for the city.
40 Years Ago
June 9, 1983
After the Wedgewood housing project was described by one Whitefish councilman as “more or less a back-door approach to the current R-1 zone,” the council voted 3-2 to deny the development as planned. Michael Richards’ request for a Planned Unit Development, allowing cluster developments with large open spaces instead of traditional layout, had received approval from the city-county planning board and the council’s land-use committee. The council voted unanimously to annex the property and approved solutions to earlier questions about traffic congestion, but balked at approving the project because of some neighbors’ objections to townhouses.
30 Years Ago
June 10, 1993
The Whitefish Chamber of Commerce formally withdrew its request for a Fourth of July parade permit after discussing the matter with Whitefish Police Chief Bill LaBrie. The problem with having a parade and fireworks on the same day is one of crowd control, traffic control and police protection during an occasion that centers around picnics parties and alcohol, LaBrie said in a memo to City Manager Dale Ennor. “Events such as these have proven to show an increase in alcohol-related crimes such as assaults, domestic abuse and DUIs,” he said.
20 Years Ago
June 5, 2003
Mayor Andy Feury cast the deciding vote when the Whitefish City Council voted 4-3 to have an in-house city attorney. “Because we are looking at increasing future hours, this is the right decision,” Feury said in voting for the change. An in-house city attorney would give the city more hours of legal representation, said those favoring the measure. Opinions were mixed on the decision, as indicated by the initial split vote. Mayor Feury expressed his thanks for the fine job done by Hedman, Hileman and Lacosta.
10 Years Ago
June 5, 2013
Dozens of friends and family, along with Rotary Club members, gathered at Smith Fields in Whitefish to dedicate a new soccer field in Gary Elliot’s memory. The longtime community leader passed away that January. The fresh turf was buzzing with multiple soccer games as Elliott’s wife Bev, son Dave and his two grandchildren helped sink the screws into the memorial sign dedicating the park. “He was truly one of the initiators of soccer in this valley,” said Whitefish Rotary Club member Joe Basirico.