Looking Back: Boat ramp at Les Mason debate
Bonnie Finfrock displays a 30-inch dandelion she found near the gravel pit in June, 1974.
A look back at past Pilot articles by Julie Engler
50 Years Ago
June 20, 1974
According to Whitney Smith, official weather Observer for the Whitefish Lake weather station, the level of Whitefish Lake hit an all-time high on June 19. Surface elevation of the lake was at 2,998.67 feet above sea level. Translated into vertical rise from the average low water level of 2,992.0 feet, this was approximately an 80-inch rise. Smith reported that the 1974 rise is the most rapid and sustained in the 25 years that records have been kept. Record snowpack in the Whitefish drainage combined with extremely high temperatures were largely responsible for the record high rise of the lake level.
40 Years Ago
June 21, 1984
The debate on whether or not Les Mason Park should have a boat ramp picked up again at the Whitefish City Council meeting. Discussion was sparked by Bert Sternal, commodore of the Whitefish Boat Club, who requested the council write a letter to the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks in support of the boat ramp alternative. After a brief discussion, the council voted 4-1 to send a letter to Don Hyyppa, administrator of the parks division. Mayor Jim Putnam made it clear to the council he did not support the motion. "I cannot in clear conscience write a letter,” Putnam said. He explained that he supported the park since the beginning only as a “quiet park.”
30 Years Ago
June 16, 1994
The state Water Quality Bureau sent a letter to the city saying city sewers were seriously overtaxed and the city should not approve any new hookups until the problems were corrected. The City of Whitefish also violated state laws when it failed to report a sewer mishap, according to Steven Pilcher at the state Water Quality Bureau in Helena. The agency requested the city not allow any new connections until it implements a plan to prevent excessive flows during storms. More than 11 million gallons of water were discharged into the Whitefish River without being treated, according to Pilcher.
20 Years Ago
June 17, 2004
Nearly half of 25 businesses targeted in a weekend sting operation were cited for selling alcohol to minors, surprising police and leaving the many business owners frustrated over a perception that they willingly sell to minors. It was the third such compliance check in less than a year in Whitefish. Police chief Dial confirmed that one minor used in the sting would turn 21 in five months and the other would turn 21 in seven months. Bold green print on each of the licenses clearly stated these dates. Photographs of minors were placed on the right side of licenses while adults’ photos were placed on the left.
10 Years Ago
June 18, 2014
A year-round restriction of gas powered motor boats on a stretch of the Whitefish River was rejected by the state Wildlife and Parks commission. Instead, a proposed seasonal closure of the waterway to motor boats would go out for public review. A 2-2 vote by the commission in Helena was enough to deny a petition from the city of Whitefish that sought to restrict the river to electric motors or manually powered vessels from the BNSF train trestle to the JP Road bridge.