Whitefish Montana News

Confessions Of A Realtor

2008-07-14T23:06:00.000-07:00

Real Estate Industry Whistleblower

Folks, What you Don't Know about the Real Estate Industry

is Seriously Hurting YOU. Realtors are not trained

in what you really need them to know.

Realtors Go To School for ONE Weekand Learn How to Pass a Test.

They are NOT trained in ANYTHINGthat will actually Protect

a Real Estate Consumerin ANY Way.

Realtor FORMS for Buying and Selling Real Estate are Intended
to Protect the Realtor and NOTThe Real Estate Consumer.

www.ConfessionsOfARealtor.com

There is Not ONE Good Reasonthat You Need

a Realtor in your Real Estate Transaction.Not ONE !!!

99% of Realtors Do Not Get Internet MarketYou could Lose More
than Money Buying or Sellingyour Real Estate with the Use of a Realtor.

There is NO Consumer Protection in Real Estate.

Your Realtor's E and O insurance Protects
Your Realtor and in NO WAY protects the Real Estate Consumer.

www.SavvyBroker.com

Subscribe to MY Blog and Find Out More
than You Ever Thought To Ask about

the Real Estate Industry.

I will tell you SHOCKING storiesof what can and does happen
in the Real Estate Industry and inYOUR Real Estate Transaction
that Really Could Ruin Your Lifeand Possible be Life Threatening.

I will Keep You Out of a Whole Lot of Pitfalls that You May End Up in.

I will share with you Red Flags for you to look for inthe Real Estate

you are thinking of Purchasing, Before You Buy.

I want You to Keep your Money and to keep
Your FamilySAFE for Many Years to come.

How do you REALLY know a neighborhood before you move in?

What is the Least you need to know about local water rights issues?

What is the Truth About Home Inspections ?

What is the Big Deal about your Realtor telling you
that they are an Accredited Buyers Agent (ABR),

GRIor other Fancy Accreditations and Does
this Really Benefit the Consumer?

Realtors need you to believe that theycan protect you
in your real estate transaction.But the Truth is They Cannot.
The livelihood of all realtors is under attack by the Internet,
they are holding on to their careers andtheir outdated
business model the best they can.

The real estate industry wants to keep the public at large

in the dark on the details of how the real estate industry works
and wants to keep you out of their multiple listing

database that was created from your data. Why?

Subscribe to My Blog

Appraisals are in NO Way AccurateFind Out Why.

I am a Real Estate Industry whistle blower.

I am an Advocated for your Righs in Your Real EstateTransactions

Before, During and Long after Your Real Estate Closing.

I am a Real Estate Broker Owner Who RecentleyQUIT the National Association for You.

Being a Member of the Association of Realtors

Does Not Give me any more advantage

or help to Sell your Real Estate Better,

With More integrity or with more knowledge than

being a Regular Real Estate Broker.

Why Do Realtors Want to Keep Banks Out of Real Estate?

What Top Corporate Companies owns so

much of the Real Estate Industry That it would be

impossible to compete the them?

It's Time You Know the TruthSelling a home

www.IndustryWhistleblower.com

Lincoln County Brutal Dog Killing

2008-06-16T16:57:00.000-07:00

Dog killing case under investigation
Sunday,Jun 15, 2008
By NICHOLAS LEDDEN

The Daily Inter LakeDespite publicity stirred by public outrage, breaks have yet to materialize in the case of a dog found brutally tortured and killed near Eureka in April.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office has received several tips, but they didn’t amount to anything and no arrests have been made, Detective Jim Sweet said.

The case is still active and under investigation.

Full Article Click Below

http://dailyinterlake.com/articles/2008/06/16/news/news02.txt

Folks Don't Let This Go, this is a VERY big deal and must NOT be swept under the rug.

Please Go to Our Forum and Check out the Petition and the Reward Posting.I heard that it is known who did it and there was someone who turned them in.

Click Here for Our Forum

Whitefish News Forum

2008-06-06T09:46:00.000-07:00

Join us at our Whitefish News Forum where We are listening to what's news to you in Whitefish Montana, Tell us your Development issues and Concerns, Comment on Other Peoples Discussiong, Post Breaking News or Set the Record Straight.

Click Here to Check it Out

Muhlfeld in the News

2008-06-05T15:49:00.000-07:00

Did you Read Today in the Daily Interlake that John Muhlfeld RESIGNED from the Whitefish Lake and Lakeshore Protection Committee? 10 Years is To Long, he cannot change things for the better, when he himself is not on the right side.

Muhlfeld existing on ANY watchdog panel is Seriously a Joke.

I cannot believe Muhlfeld said “Even a $1,000 or $2,500 after-the-fact fine will not deter a wealthy property owner from an intentional violation any more than a $100 fee,” Muhlfeld said. “...it is well known by property owners around the lake that their best solution to a violation is to hire an attorney and stall the issue until the violation is forgotten, negotiated or settled.”

He has ruined peoples lives on Grave Creek in Eureka Montana, He has VIOLATED property owners rights. Yes Laws Need to Be obeyed, the lake needs to be respected and Wealthy landowners should not be able to what they want, to “ask forgiveness instead of permission”. But, Muhlfeld is CERTAINLY not the one to handle this. It is a GREAT thing for whitefish that John Muhlfeld has resigned from the Whitefish Lake and Lakeshore Protection Committee. John’s attitude is that he, owns all the land along the waterways, he can bring dogs, violated land owners rights, leave fences and gates down, and create havoc in waterways on personal property and disrespect the rights of land owners.

If there is a battle to be won along the shores of Whitefish Lake, John Muhlfeld is the last man to be fighting it.

Article Link
http://dailyinterlake.com/articles/2008/06/05/news/news01.txt

Shocking NEWS

2008-05-20T19:47:00.000-07:00

I am SHOCKED !!!Did You Hear, it’s Official

Lincoln County PICKS Big Corporations over YOUR RIGHTS.

The Wilderness Club WINS !!!

Apparantley, Judge Michael Prezeau ruled that instead of ONE MILLION DOLLARS in punitive damages, the WILDERNESS CLUB has to pay ONLY $25,000.

What do You Folks think of this?

This Does Not Seem Right to Me.

You ALL should LEAVE Lincoln County, BIG corporation, even, FOREIGN owned corporations can COME into YOUR neighborhood and Do what they want. NO BIG DEAL.

Will this Decision create a Public OutCRY or will the Residence of Lincoln County, as usual, hide safely in their own homes and NOT stick up for their neighbors.

THIS is WRONG.. you WILL be wronged next. It does not matter what your covenants are in your neighborhood, a Wilderness Club Type can come in and do what they want.

They VIOLATED a court order to STOP building and NOTHING made them STOP, they are Seriously Above the Law. But YOU are NOT.Trial By Jury, WHY ? if the decision is in no way final than why bother.What Good is a Trial if a Judge can Say, oh Nevermind.

The Wilderness Club Was TOLD to STOP working on the building, nothing happened to them.

They kept building on it, they got to keep their building.

A Jury awarded them Punitive damages but apparantley their life is only worth $25,000 .

Why have a jury if a Judge can say, well no that is excessive.

Shocked is an UNDERSTATEMENT.

Whats YOUR Life Worth ?

Will This Go to the Montana Supreme Court ?

Eureka attorney Amy Guth, representing the McKays, said the couple has filed a motion asking Prezeau to reconsider his decision."The Montana Supreme Court has been pretty stern in reductions of punitive damage awards when they are given by a jury," she said. "(But) that doesn't mean in this case they won't say the judge was right and the jury was wrong."

Guth said the McKays also have filed a motion with the high court to stop Wilderness Development from further impacting their property.

Whitefish attorney Sean Frampton, representing the developer, said he believes Prezeau made the right decision in lowering the punitive damages.He had argued that state law prohibits jurors from awarding punitive damages based on covenant claims, and the only "tort," or civil wrong, the jury thought the developer had committed was cutting down trees.

The McKays lost more than TREES, they were in CONSTANT stress, loud noise, dust, harassment, their horses had bright lights on them all the time, generators ran 24 hours, traffic was horrific, they LOST everything they worked for and Frampton says that the only “tort” was cutting down trees.

BULL….In May 2007, Wilderness Development cleared out trees on the McKays' property and cut a road across their land leading to a maintenance facility for the club.

Guth asked that the work be stopped, and Prezeau issued a temporary injunction against the developer in July.

A month later, Wilderness Development cleared more trees and poured the foundation for the 14,000-square-foot maintenance building, court records said.

ABOVE THE LAW ? You Decide !!!

The McKays went back to court in early fall and asked Prezeau to stop the construction project. The judge said the developers could do what was needed to protect what they had already built.The developers then finished the building, which was "well out of sight of the Wilderness Club homes, but right in the face of the McKays," Guth has said.In March, Prezeau ruled that the Wilderness Club had violated the subdivision's covenants and set a trial so a jury could determine damages.

On April 4, the jury awarded the McKays $350,000 for the value of the property and another $6,500 for the value of the trees cut. Jurors also found Wilderness Development had acted with "malice" and ordered $1 million in punitive damages.Now this Has ALL Changed.
Start Asking Questions Folks. Lincoln County NEEDSBig Corporation for Big Tax Dollars.You Lose !!!

Why Does Mr. FRAMPTON get to Decide what the McKays Life is Worth?
I Respectfully ask "Does Mr. Frampton have more Balls and More Backbone than
than Ms. Guth" Is this part of the problem.

Jewel Basin

2008-05-13T14:57:00.001-07:00

Montana Gateway to The Jewel Basin

Lincoln Log Homes Inc.

Whitefish830 Dakota Ave

Whitefish, MT 59937

(406) 756-1484

I always thought of Jewel Basin as a Pristine Wilderness. I went up yesterday for the first time in my life, though I am a Northwest Montana Native, and It was one clear cut after another and done very poorly.

This, on the way to our Northwest Montana Wilderness.

I guess there is quite a bit of logging on this road, I just
found it as a Surprise, having Never Been to the Jewel Basin.

I do Think this Could Have been done Better. More trees Left,
Better Clean up, shredding of debri and more.

Whitefish Real Estate

2008-04-30T08:23:00.000-07:00

Whitefish Real Estate

Is Resort Real Estate Insulated from the Real Estate Recession ?

I believe that Recreational and Resort Real Estate is WAY different than regular real estate and that the market will Hold Strong for Resort Real Estate for the Most Part. However, I think recreational real estate with water, trees and real Montana recreation will hold value longer than Condos, Golf Resort Homes and the Like. The current real estate trend is Bigger than Local Real Estate and we cannot really escape it all. People, Buyers in other locations need to sell their homes where they are from in order to buy here, so that market needs to be stable more than just here.

Recreational Real Estate will always be attractive to someone, but if the nation, as a whole is in a Major transition, the way appraisals are done are changing forever, internet marketing is changine things and the mortgage industry is in a MAJOR transition, along with the Loss of Jobs - We cannot help but lose real estate values in Northwest Montana at some point. However, the Canadian Dollar is so good that they are still investing here in Northwest Montana and I do feel that recreational real estate will stay strong. However, the housing prices and the prices of lots has dropped, it is a fact.

I also don't believe that a LOCAL real estate appraisal
can really tell you for sure what the trend is. I believe, I know that
the MLS data is not monitered, sales data is not really an accurate home value and an appraiser can look at the data anyway he or she needs to.

When I get an appraisal, the Appraisor asks ME every single time, What I need it to come in at, some even want to see the buy sell (the purchase agreement). Why would an appraisor NEED to see a buy - sell to perform and appraisal, why can't they just simply give an appraisal value based on VALUE and not what is needed to make the sale. I am licensed in MT, Idaho and Oregon and this issue is not unique to Northwest Montana.

Whitefish Real Estate has always been a Unique and Expensive market
and has a different buyer pool than most other Northwest Montana
Real Estate Locations.

If you have Recreational Real Estate for Sale
in Northwest Montana, sell it Without a
Northwest Montana Realtor, they do not GET
internet marketing. Sell your Home yourself online,
and attract recreational buyers, and buyers that may want

real estate in other states, and they will be drawn to your
Real Estate for Sale.

Real Estate has Definately Changed Forever,
one day soon Real Estate Agents will be
a Thing of the Past.

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2008-04-01T14:34:00.000-07:00

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Wilderness Club Montana

2008-03-28T17:26:00.000-07:00

Well, according to My Sources the Wilderness Club Montana GETS to Keep their Building. They finished the building, saying they had to in order to protect the foundation. Even though they were ordered to STOP construction, they knew that if they continued that there would be too much value in the building and the Judge would let them keep it. That is what they were banking on and that is what has seemed to of happened, according to my sources.

So what this means to you is that ANYONE with enough money can move in next to you, violate your covenants, cut down your trees, break into your home, shoot your dog, cause SEVERE property erosion on your borders, take the VALUE out of your property that you have worked a lifetime to build, harass you, violate your property rights and ignore a court order telling them to Stop. You may get some sort of damages but you WILL NOT get your life back. You will not get your dog back. You will never get the real VALUE out of your property.

I thought that if you violated a judge’s order that you were in contempt. I guess I am wrong on that. Joe Purdy and the Wilderness Club claim that the neighbors gave them permission to cut down their trees and build a giant road. It has been said to me that Joe said he was going to cut down the trees because he could. They were not given permission of any kind. They simply cut the trees down, took them away, and built a road to build a LARGE hideous building that violates the covenant and ruins lives.

The property next to the Commercial Building was once a place of sanctuary, with trees blocking neighbor houses and noise. Now there is a huge amount of dust, the trees have been removed without the landowners permission, there is constant light and noise, there is constant traffic, and the stress is absolutely unbearable.

The Wilderness Club has ruined the lives of hard working local residents and for what ?

For a Building, to house chemical fertilizers to keep a luxury, private golf course green. A building put here so as to ruin the adjacent landowners property values while keeping this “maintenance building” out of site of the homes in the Wilderness Club Resort, thereby making sure the NICE homes do not have to look at this building while making the landowner not part of their exclusive club, look at the building – suffer the noise and dust and 24 hour lighting.

Apparently the “High End” homes are given more rights to a good quality of life than those who have lived here a lifetime.

It is Simple Wrong.

Why can’t the Wilderness Club Montana just do the Right Thing.

And why doesn’t anybody seem to care? Is Eureka Montana so desperate for this resort because we need the taxes that we will literally ruin people’s lives to make it happen? I guess so.
IF You Buy a Lot or a Home in the Wilderness Club Montana than you are basically saying It is ok to ruin peoples lives, it is ok for Big Money to violate property rights and do whatever they please regardless of the law or what is ethically right.

If you have money than your version of the Truth seems to hold more weight than what actually happened. This is what seems to be true for the situation with the Wilderness Club Montana.

What Happens Next.

Starting April 1st there will be a trial to determine what damages the neighbors have suffered. They will never get their life, as they new it back. And they will never get the price for their real estate that it would have been worth had the Wilderness Club Golf Resort not ruined their property value. I personally would not pay a dime for that property and neither would any client, (real estate buyer). Why in the world would you want a home where you front yard is caving in because of a giant road to the back side of resort is to close and undermining your property, where a giant heating and cooling system is so loud you cannot here the crickets, where lights blare 24 hours a day, where you live in the woods but do not have any trees for a buffer between houses, and people are constantly in your front yard with machinery to maintain an elite resort. No Way, I could not sell this property for any price.

There is absolutely no doubt that what the Wilderness Club has done in this situation has severely hurt the property values of the adjacent landowners and all they seem to care about is their bottom line. As a real estate broker owner, I care about people’s property rights before – during and long after their real estate transaction. And what the Wilderness Club has done is inexcusable period.

Keep in Mind folks, Fair Market Value is different than appraised Value. Just because a property will appraise for a certain price does not mean that anyone will buy it for that price.

In Conclusion, ask yourself – Who Will move in next to you and Take away Your Lifestyle ? Lets hope it is not property that Joe Purdy of Montana Properties is in charge of or property purchased by the Norcal Group out of Calgary Alberta, or really any Big Business – you can bet you will have no rights.

John Muhlfeld - Whitefish Real Estate News

2008-02-21T12:49:00.000-08:00

Well The Headlines of the Daily Interlake TODAY smells quite fishy.

Now we SEE for SURE why John Muhlfeld was bent on getting into the Whitefish City Council.

He has pushed a law through that will ensure he makes HUGE amounts of Money.

Even if JOHN and the River Design Group does not get the job of “site work”, which they will, but if not they would still benefit from the job going to friends of theirs and if the property owner has a choice it will have to be John Muhlfeld of the River Design Group, he has experience in GETTING paperwork through government officials, he is on the City Council and his Fiancé is a Realtor – Win Win.

The article said that it is unknown how much money whitefish property owners will have to spend before they can build.

To me this says that the flood gates of MONEY have opened up to Muhlfeld’s kind of work. And he directly benefits from the law.

Yes some developers in Whitefish have abused the waterways, built to close, and cut down trees along whitefish lake. They were given tiny fines and now every landowner must pay. Follow the Money folks.

I say to you Whitefish Real Estate Owners that YOU are being manipulated so that John Muhfeld can get rich and that you should take your development dollars elsewhere. This is not about protecting the waters. I have a whole lot of paperwork on the Grave Creek Project in Eureka Montana and what John Muhlfeld Designed ripped out every year and he did not care. The worse job he did the more he got paid to come back and fix it.

John Muhlfeld admitted, with several people present that he had already chose who would do the ground work on the project. These folks were friends of his, and therefore, the public notice and trainings for the locals were just protocol.

John Muhlfeld is not to be trusted. He acts righteous, like he wants to protect the waterways and it is NOT True. John Muhlfeld is out for a long term pay check. And NOT for what is best for water and fisheries. I mean wasn’t’ gas being dumped into the Whitefish River, how long did that take to clear up. The gas station is allowed on the river banks but houses are not.

Take a look at his past work, he never has cared about the rights of property owners.

He works for the government and will do as he pleases. He brings dogs onto your property when specifically asked not to. He has no regard to property rights and he is NOT good at his job. Is this Defamation ? Folks, get every single document from every single job he has done. Under the Freedom of information act you can demand copies of this paperwork. And when you read it all you will see that John’s work is not quality and is all about creating high paying jobs for himself and his friends and now he will have an inside connection and quite possibly his Realtor fiancé will make lots of money on Whitefish Waterfront Real Estate.

Open your Eyes Folks, Today’s Headlines is all about River Design Group and John Muhlfeld making MONEY.

I do believe waterways SHOULD be protected, but anything with Muhlfeld’s name on it is suspect of corruption, lies, greedy, faulty work and trampling of landowners rights.

All in the Name of Fun

2008-01-21T11:00:00.000-08:00

Big Mountain and I go way back. I no longer make it up to the now Whitefish Mountain Resort but we do share a vivid history compiled of embarrassments and confessions. Paging through the Stumptown Historical Society's latest publication, the memories come flooding back.

In 1974 I acquired my first set of skis. I was far from the cutting edge in ski technology, donning me wood skis and poles and psychedelic flower print parka, which may have been bright enough to be identified through the pea soup of the mountain's fog. I never did ski on Little Mountain, which the Stumptown Paper described as a sort of initiation slope for beginning skiers located by the old roller rink on the south edge of town. I can recollect thinking I was better than that. Until I twisted a chunk of my long hair into the rope of the rope tow, was dragged up the slope twenty feet and dropped to the ground without the chunk of hair attached to my scalp. After that I stayed away from the rope tow. Five year olds are at least ready for the T-bar, even if they are too chicken to ski off the top of the mountain in a virtual white out.

By first grade, my parents enrolled me in my first season of professional lessons. At the end of the season we raced, showing off all our fresh talent to relatives, friends and instructors. I was sure that I had made it down the course the quickest. If it weren’t for the fact that I missed four gates, I am sure my time would have been near the top. That was the beginning and the end of my racing career. Free skiing was more fun anyways. By the time I was in junior high school, I was launching myself off of chair one. At the top of what is now called bad medicine, I was busy being bad: the chair lift lulled along with an average sixteen minute ride to the top. Sometimes me and my buddies would just jump off. When it was real cold, we would go into the Alpin-snack and start fires with the flammable non-dairy creamer: open and throw contents of pack into mid air while buddy throws match.

By high school, I was skiing out of bounds. Those days saw the longest run of my life, from the top of the mountain down to the head of Whitefish Lake where the road meets Hell Roaring Creek. It would be inaccurate to say it hadn’t been done before and it would be inaccurate to say it was planned. I ended up leaving my skis a mile or two up the creek in different locations. Thankfully a co-worker of my mom’s offered to search the area the next day and thankfully they were retrieved before the next snowfall.

Whitefish has grown up and so have I. The both of us have seen some folly associated with our growth. Some of the folly has been admitted and other folly is still in the making or gets swept under the rug. And thank goodness historical sites like the Hell Roaring lodge still stand: the dozing a tragedy narrowly averted. If it weren’t for the lodge I would get vertigo even on a sunny day: everything looks so much different up there! Other buildings have structural difficulties. I find it odd that after all these years that the Alpinglow’s precarious design would get called on. And I remember working in the old Mogul’s restaurant one unwelcome Christmas break of storms, wind and of course fog. The roof collapsed near happy hour. Luckily nobody was hurt. The same vacation, the road was closed due to vehicle pile ups. With the road now much improved and the architecture becoming smarter, the mountain is really growing up. I just wish the Kalispell Cost-Co would offer the same ticket prices as the Canadian Cost-Co. I don’t consider this very smart marketing, unless the dollar does take the plunge this winter, making it obvious that locals can’t afford a day or two on the hill.

Stumptown Old Timer really sums up the archaic Whitefish experience. In the process of becoming history, Whitefish and I have both made mistakes, broken rules, built on dreams, changed our names, improved our image and have learned that having fun is high priority. With Whitefish Winter Carnival around the corner, locals also get a chance to laugh at themselves. In the midst of the political soup of the day- the mumbo gumbo aka the Muhlfield conspiracy, Whitefish carnival participants poke fun and create a skit performed at the Great Northern Bar highlighting a town’s folly. This year, I hope to lighten up a bit and get in on some of the fun. Especially since I no longer fear the Yetis- even if at first glance through the fog they do look an awful lot like mangy moose that hang out in Canyon Creek. Carnival events are going on now. The “big day” (parade) is the first Saturday in February.

Reflections on Flathead Media

2008-01-19T19:51:00.000-08:00

I first noticed the Beacon back in December 2007. Being familiar with Missoula’s Independent, I found myself constantly comparing and contrasting the two. First impression told me the Beacon was smart, the image I was seeing was sporty and sleek, like a celebrity. It wasn’t until later that I discovered the paper was owned by celebrities Maury Pauvich and Connie Chung, who own a home in the Flathead. The Independent, on the other hand, has been criticized by many as advertising sleaze. However you classify dirt, it looks like it takes dirt to grow a grass roots style newspaper.

But I like that the Beacon is clean and doesn’t advertise sleaze- no cigarette ads no matter how “organic” the tobacco and no dating services. And the size of the Beacon is slightly smaller to flip from front to back. And what looks like the quality of paper they print on (recycled or non-recycled) has that subtle glossy feel to it. Part of staying in the newspaper print game these days does take a tactile edge in the market place. Even if your paper is free. Internet news doesn’t hold the memories I associate of print newspaper: waking up at 6:00a.m. at my mother’s house in Whitefish, stoking the fire and reading the Daily Interlake that has already been delivered to her front door. You get the picture. The Interlake holds fond memories, even if I don’t agree with the editor on the topic of global warming. I am a connoisseur of news, no matter what the medium. I appreciate all the media in our area, even if I don’t agree with the many viewpoints that are shared or exposed.

I just don’t think Bucky Walford should have his mall, for instance. This is more than just a stoplight issue, it is an environmental issue. And I don’t think that the Whitefish city council is petty. Any small victory gained by Whitefish civil servants for the good of many should be applauded. For the most part, I like what Whitefish has grown into in the last thirty eight years (which being my age is about how long I have watched Whitefish grow). And if bureaucracy slows things down, maybe this could be viewed in terms of a speed limit on growth. After all, haste makes waste. All this was stirred in me the second day of the year, with my new Beacon issue as I sat with my feet kicked back watching the snow fall and contemplating the editor’s advice for the various towns in Flathead County. I liked the roust for local government, but the words were like a jagged little pill for this little local girl.

All this rousting going on, all this **it being stirred- and for what reason? The Interlake had a headline a few weeks back- something about Muhlfield- the Whitefish city council fellow who was guilty of sleeping at his girlfriend’s house- that made him sound like a criminal. When mountains are made out of molehills, one wonders what the intent is. Last week’s Pilot quoted Tim Gratten, an area developer in on the mountain-making (and mountain making in more ways than one if you know the Gratten family) as, “just wanting to stir things up.” Jeesh. Is it really worth the effort? This sounds like the escapades of a little boy on the playground. And it has the whole valley in a tizzy.

The Beacon will have its place at the news stand. It has the money to do so. I no longer compare it to the Independent, which has returned to- in my mind- its rightful position as the only independent newspaper. Meanwhile, the media players are kicking up the dust on the playground. Let just hope that our emotions stirred won’t cloud the view.

-Kris Neckermann

Wilderness Club Golf

2008-01-13T18:33:00.000-08:00

the Wilderness Club STILL ABOVE LAW

the Eureka Montana Golf Course ResortContinues to Work on The Commercial Buildingeven after they were ordered to STOP.

They WORKED ON THE BUILDING TODAY

The Wilderness Club Resort has Deadlines to meet and they Will NOT let the rights of local landowners stand in their way. The Calgary Based Wilderness Club Montana and Nick Faldo have no Concern for the laws of Lincoln County Montana.

www.WildernessClubSubdivision.com

Weeks Ago Judge Prezeau ordered the Wilderness Club Resort in Eureka Montana to STOP working on a Commercial Building that VIOLATES the covenants of the Subdivision that they are in. And the Wilderness Club Continues still TODAY to work on the INSIDE of the Building. They were aparantley told that they may have to remove the building. Another words if they lose the lawsuit that the Koocanusa Estates residents have against them they may have to tear down their investment.
The Wilderness Club seems to think that they own the LAW in Lincoln County.
Since THIS illegal project started and the Wilderness Club chopped down the trees of private land owners to make a road that they did not have a right to make, the Wilderness Club had the attitude that if they just do it than no will STOP them. If they have enough money invested than the Laws of Lincoln will step aside and just say, "oh, well you have to much money into it, go ahead and keep it". I hope this is not true, but it Seems the Wilderness Club believes it is.
"It is Easier to say - oops - I'm Sorry, than to ask for permission", "Easier to Ask Forgiveness than to abide by the Law and do the right thing in the First Place."
Just when the Residents thought they would get some peace, they are now experience a different kind of stress. Loud Heaters and Lights blaring into their home, Construction Continues and the general feeling is that Big Money seems to be above the Law.

It does not matter what the Lincoln County Judge tells them to do they seem to Stand Above the Law, and Joe Purdy, their Realtor, whom I have not yet put into my BLOG is at the forfront of their blatant disrespect for the Laws of Lincoln county and the Rights of Private landowers.

I had purposely kept Joe's name out of my reports on the wilderness club, but if Joe will not tell the truth and stand up for the rights of property owners in a valley he claims to love than it's time to tell the truth about Joe Purdy.
In this situation Joe has been quoted as saying He will do what he wants. Joe Purdy claims he was given "written permission" to remove trees from private property for a road to be used to access a large commercial building that violates the local covenants. This building is to house chemical fertilizers and serve as a base of operation for grounds keeping equipment for the Wilderness Club Resort in Eureka Montana. The idea is to bring the "help" in the "back way" so as to not Disturb the Elite Group of landowner that reside within the Wilderness Club Golf Resort. However, it not only disturbs but RUINS the way of life the neighbors had been living previously.

You may think that this does not affect YOU. However, it does, if BIG Money can move into your "neck of the woods" and ruin the life you thought you moved here to enjoy or the life that you have always known here than it affects us all. It Seems that The Wilderness Club Cannot be Stopped. And despite the order from the Judge, they continue to work. Today they are Plumbing the building they were told to stop working on. Today they are putting in Electrical Wiring on the Building they were TOLD to STOP working on.

They WILL NOT stop, and it seems there is NO WAY to Make Them. It's as if they know they will never be made to remove the building and they certainly cannot magically make the stolen trees grow back and will, seemingly, never be made to PAY for the value of the trees.

Well Joe Purdy is Off to Mexico on Vacation and the Lives of the Neighbors at the Wilderness Club Montana continues to be Hell.

Slideshow of Area Photos before building went in andafter the trees were illegally removed.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/northwest-montana/sets/72157602296757871/show/

Montana Conservation Voters

2008-01-08T16:09:00.000-08:00

Today I Read The Article Titled “John Muhlfeld: Protecting Water Quality Makes Economic Sense” at http://www.mtvoters.org/newsroom/clip/2007/09/john_muhlfeld_protecting_water_quality_makes_economic_sense

Where in the World Does Montana Conservation Voters get and the Whitfish Free Press get information that John has the ability to Protect Water Quality. Get all the Files from the Projects he has worked on, see how many times the projects have had to be redone. What he is good at is showing off his degree so he can convince people that dams need ripped out when they do not, the fisheries need stabilized when they do not and using his degree and his position with government agencies to TREAT private landowners VERY badly. When you see ALL the files on ALL the jobs he has done, you cannot help but agree with me.

Note the Dogs with John in the photo, one of those is the dog I spoke of that John brought onto private land when the landowner specifically asked him not to. This dog came into their garage, harassed their pets, and John had no remorse or respect when it was brought to his attention.

Also in this Article, was the following.

John was Asked….

“What are your greatest strengths?
He Said
“I’m fair. When I am making decisions I can leave aside my personal bias on certain issues. As a public servant, I’m there to represent what’s best for the greater community, not any special interest group.”

Muhlfeld said he listens to both sides of an argument. “A perfect example is the contentious slope aspect of the Critical Areas Ordinance. I nominated Greg Carter to represent the real estate development community on the Ad Hoc Critical Areas Committee.”

John says that when making decisions he can leave his personal bias aside. That is SO NOT TRUE. John picks his friends for Government Jobs, and does not pick the best man for the Job. John’s personal opinion is all he cares about. When he stands on private property with dogs and tells the Female Landowner that he will do what he wants on the property and she does not have the right to ask that his dog not be on her property and than lets that dog run into her buildings, this is not leaving personal business behind. While the State of Montana is paying him to do a job that later they will pay him again and again to redo he stands there and disrespects landowners rights.

John says he listens to both sides of the argument, he does not, he picks the side that benefits him and those he cares about. He is NOT fair. Nominating a Prominate Realtor to represent the real estate development community on the Ad Hoc Critical Areas Committee is not listening to both sides. He lives with a Realtor, he cares about what the Realtors Care about. He cares about what will give him future jobs

John is Definitely for particular groups and not for private land owners rights.

My name is Crystal L. Cox, Broker Owner ( Non-Realtor)
of Ten Lakes Realty. I am FOR your rights in real estate
before, during and after your real estate transaction.

Muhlfeld Wins.

2008-01-08T15:02:00.000-08:00

Muhlfeld WINS.

I get it now, I did not know who the girlfriend was. Now I do, with the Realtors
behind John, there is no way to lose.

The Realtors have a lot of money and political power and they get their way, what ever it may be that they want. You Lose.

Whitefish apparently thinks that John Muhlfeld is the most forthright person on the council. If this is true than Whitefish is in serious trouble. John has ruined peoples lives, run over property rights, and makes VERY bad decisions that spends millions of dollars of tax payers money. Do your homework folks.

Did whitefish Vote for him because of who they THOUGHT he was. Its Not True. He is VERY far from a being a Man of Integrity and should hold no role in politics. With his political connection, he can’t miss. He has been handed jobs since college and life is just falling in his lap. If Muhlfeld is making decisions that effect you, find out all you can, prove everything he claims.

Most don’t believe me and will find out the hard way. I don’t live in Whitefish though I was born there, I do live I Northwest Montana and I do know John’s work Ethics. I know John cheats the system, hires who he thinks is best with out public forum, is aggressive and disrespecting of private land owners and has NO Clue as to what he is doing professionally. If you don’t believe it, walk up Grave Creek today, the Mess it Now is, that’s John’s Handiwork.

Get the Facts Folks, don’t blindly follow who you think knows best for you. Find out for your self.

Wilderness Club Above the Law?

2008-01-06T11:55:00.001-08:00

After the County Judge told the Wilderness Club to stop construction on the building that has violated the covenants of the Koocanusa Estates and said that the building may be torn down, the Wilderness Club, according to my sources is MOVING FORWARD. They are working inside of the building and Swank Construction workers have confirmed this. Why does the Wilderness Club Golf Resort Feel they are above the Law?

www.WildernessClubSubdivision.com

John Muhlfeld of River Design Group

2007-12-28T11:13:00.000-08:00

I thought I would let this story die. I thought I would forgive and forget John Muhlfeld for all the stress and lies he caused Land owners and all who were involved with the River Design Group and Fish, Wildlife and Parks on Grave Creek in Northwest Montana.

Years have passed since the first time I met John and since the Beginning of the Damage he has done to Fisheries, and to private landowners.

John Muhlfeld’s recent bit in the media has awakened my feelings and information on him and the River Design Group. Therefore, I want to give you folks a piece of my mind and an insight into John Muhlfeld on the Job, sucking up state funding.

John Muhlfeld’s River Design Group, ruins peoples lives. He was hired to do projects that he ended up doing more than one time. This seemed to be in effort to use up State Grant Money. I mean, how in the world can a man, that is SO QUALIFIED keep screwing up the SAME project Year after Year. Unless it was on purpose to secure continued funding and work projects.

Kootenai River Network and River Design Group have used millions of state and federally funded money to restore fisheries, protect bull trout and to supposedly prevent the erosion of the shores of creeks and major watersheds in our area.

The Project I witnessed first hand from the Beginning was Grave Creek in Eureka Montana. The planning stages costs hundreds of thousands of dollars. So, just to have
John Muhlfeld draw up plans that would end up failing year after year cost HUGE amounts of Money. The years rolled by and Each season the work John Designed failed and flowed down stream to cause water blockages, damage to fisheries and lots of debri on private land owners property. The Kootenai River Network, Fish Wildlife and Parks and River Design Group did not seem to be to upset about this, I mean to FIX the problem meant more money and more Jobs. What Could Be So Bad about that ?

The bull trout habitat was Strong before the Kootenai River Network and River Design Group stepped in, I saw lots of healthy Bull Trout. However, once the Kootenai River Network and River Design Group stepped in with their Healthy Grant Money, to Protect the Endangered Bull Trout, they made a MESS. They disturbed habitat in order to implement their DESIGN, their design failed, so the next Season, just as the Fish were getting re-established THEY ruined the habitat again to fix their mistakes and this went on for years. How WAS this helping the Bull Trout ? The next thing I knew Bull Trout was taken off the Endangered list and they were promoting the thrill of caching a Really Big Fish in the local creeks.

It ALL seemed Like a BIG Waste of Money, that HURT Land Owners.

Who is the Kootenai River Network ?

The Kootenai River Network was really the Medium or Vehicle in which Fish Wildlife and Parks ( Creston – Rox Rogers ) NEEDED to get funds for the Project.

Under the Freedom of Information Act, YOU can request that ALL information on these projects be released to you. Contact the FWP and Request that the information be released to you. YOU will be shocked at the money that FLOWED into the Creek, with no POSITIVE change to fisheries, landowners, or the banks of the creek. You will be shocked at what SOME landowner were GIVEN ( such as being paid to work on their own land and given Giant Irrigation Systems, as well as really cheap loans for agricultural use) Request this DATA and ask why THEY don’t Give this to you, or waterfront landowners that you may know.

This Project EVEN went as far as to Cut Off Water Rights access of local Ranches in the process and NEVER have they Made This Right.

Keep in mind folks that you will see documents of another group involved at first, this was John Muhlfeld also – working with another company.

If You have trouble getting information on this group.Please Email Me at SavvyBroker@Yahoo.com .

The Kootenai River Network, FWP, and The River Design Group, created a plan that filled Creek Front Landowners filled DEBRI. Their PLAN took out an ancient dam that was in place on the creek and this PLAN did not work and in fact hurt people. The logs and rock that built the dam were dong a VERY good job and had for decades. This young man, John Muhlfeld, who did not have a clue as to what would really happen designed a plan that created giant ICE Chunks that took out peoples campers, went into their garages, threatened homes, harmed vehicles and blocked access to peoples homes. The Dam NEVER needed TAKEN out and was only removed to SPEND Money. If you Spend the Money, you Get More ……..

Locals knew What the Creek would Do, and NO One listened.

Who do you think knows more about the behavior of the Creek; The Rookie fresh out of College – all book learned and everything OR the Residents who lived ON the creek for Generations after Generations. Well the FWP thinks that the Rookie knows more. You CANNOT learn about a Creek, a Waterway in a BOOK.

They Were Wrong.

Folks, I have a lot of information on this situation, I attended meetings where John admitted that he hired people he knew for the jobs on the river.

Another words, the locals who needed the jobs, knew the creek better, and we more experienced at operating the equipment necessary for the job were not EVEN Considered. Yet they were made to THINK they had a Shot at the Job.

They went to the trainings put on by The Groups and jumped through every hoop and piece of paperwork to “go for” the Job that they THOUGHT they were really in the running for, they NEVER even had a chance. The only reason the job was advertised was because that is protocol, the class spent more grant money and the project moved forward.

I have had more than one heavy equipment operator here in Eureka, tell me this same story and I heard JOHN say, at a meeting with Rox Rogers and a few others, that he had already picked his guy long ago, he uses the same one.

I questioned at the time how Muhlfeld got this EASY job where he could make big money and not be accountable for his actions. It seemed to me it was because his Relative, Clint C. Muhlfeld. Montana Department of Fish, PUT in a VERY good word for him with the Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

When the River Design Group was Assessing the Project on the Ground. They contacted the landowners, one in particular had told John that it was no problem and he could be on the property. However the land owner had ONE request, the only thing the Landowner asked was that he not have dogs with him, for the landowner had a new dog and was trying to train it and did not want other dogs on the property. The Landowner walked their dog down to the creek one morning and there was John, no warning, and he had 2 other Men with him and his dog. He was asked to remove the dog, and though he was quite a ways from the Creek and under the Cottonwood trees he said, this is the high water area and you cannot tell me what to do, this is state owned property.

This of Course was not True, and showed an Arrogant side of John that was only the beginning of what was to be witness of this “Cocky, Hotheaded, Rookie”.

Though the landowner graciously let John Muhlfeld on to the property, he disrespected their wishes and ran over their property rights.

This Project went on for Years and to my understanding, the DESIGN by John Muhlfeld has NEVER been right, it rips out more and more every year. But that is fine, because they send John in and who ever he decides needs a pay check. It seems that John got out of College, was given a Great Job, and was Never really questioned or actually made to do Quality work and Have respect for private landowners rights.

John Muhlfeld’s integrity is in Serious question.

He has NO Respect for Private Property.

He makes a living on government grant money that He does not use Wisely.

He treats people with NO Respect.

He is Arrogant and Simply Does not perform Quality workmanship.

I Hate to See John affecting the Lives of the People of Whitefish Montana. Do your Homework folks. Find out who John Muhlfeld Really Is.

Don’t Believe me Folks, Get Copies of ALL the Federal work he has done, it is your right to order copies of all work done on ALL waterways, go to the Fish, Wildlife, and Parks and Request Copies of all work the River Design Group Has Done.

Follow it through and see if landowners were happy, see if his WORK every held the test of TIME and by time I mean even a year. John Muhlfeld Ruins peoples lives and it’s all just to keep the grant money rolling in.

Talk with the Former Company he Worked For. I hired this company for an environmental review on a real estate transaction, I got an Earful. Learn more about him before you Let him make ANY decisions for the Town Of Whitefish.

This Blog is NOW, at least in Part, Dedicated to Keeping an Eye on John Muhlfeld, so please comment if you have any information on John Muhlfeld, and the River Design Group. The public deserves to know everything before blindly letting John make ANY decisions of Importance for an Entire Community.

Folks, Research the Kootenai River Network and River Design Group. There is a whole lot of wasted tax dollars for work that was done over and over to create jobs and false prestige for the Fish, Wildlife and Parks folks involved and for John Muhlfeld – River Design Group – and all THOSE buddies who needed a Good Job.

Who Am I ?

My name is Crystal L. Cox. I am the Broker Owner of Ten Lakes Realty. If you wish to have anymore information on this situation or to be pointed in the right direction to Find Out More, Please Comment on this Blog or Email me at SavvyBroker@yahoo.com

Muhlfeld’s Residency Questioned

2007-12-28T11:10:00.000-08:00

Muhlfeld’s Residency Questioned

By LYNNETTE HINTZE/Daily Inter Lake

A Kalispell law firm representing Common Sense in Whitefish Government and its founder, Rick Blake, has asked newly elected Whitefish City Council member John Muhlfeld to show proof of his city residency prior to the election.

A letter sent to Muhlfeld on Wednesday by attorney Duncan Scott said his clients “have expressed concern” that he was not an eligible council candidate for the Nov. 6 election because he allegedly was living at his fiancee’s home in the Northwoods subdivision outside city limits.

State law says a person is not eligible to be a city-council member unless he or she is a resident for at least 60 days preceding the election.

Duncan said his clients have information that Muhlfeld leased his home on Somers Avenue to a third party prior to the 60 days preceding the election.

“We would welcome any information or facts that you can provide to show that you were a resident of Whitefish as state election law requires,” Duncan wrote in the letter to Muhlfeld.

Duncan asked Muhlfeld to respond by Jan. 2, since the swearing-in ceremony for new council members is scheduled Jan. 7.

MUHLFELD did not return phone calls from the Daily Inter Lake, but in an interview in October, prior to the election, he said he consulted with Whitefish City Attorney John Phelps and was advised he was a legal candidate.

He became engaged to Stephanie Sunshine this summer, and while he said he spends some nights at her home in Northwoods, he said he also spends time at his Somers Avenue home.

“I’m not living at her house,” he said prior to the election. “I have roommates and retain a room [for myself] and am frequently at my home.”

Muhlfeld said he and his fiancee intend to live at the Somers Avenue home once they’re married.

“What I do with my personal time and my fiancee should have no bearing on the election,” he said in October.

Phelps said state law for determining residency is somewhat vague and tends to favor the office-holder. It states that a person “does not lose residence if the individual goes into another state or other district of this state for temporary purposes with the intention of returning.”

“I remain confident he was a lawful candidate and was lawfully elected,” Phelps said Thursday.

During an interview in October, Phelps said Muhlfeld told him he had given notice to his roommates to move out of the home, and that he intended to reside at the Somers Avenue house.

“It was clear he wasn’t going to take a chance,” Phelps said.

MOONLIGHTING Detective Agency of Kalispell recently was hired to investigate Muhlfeld’s residency. Ike Eisentraut, a detective with that agency, interviewed Inter Lake reporter Lynnette Hintze a couple of weeks ago as part of that investigation.

Phelps said he believes the recent turn of events is “the influence of money in small-town politics.”

In a letter published in the Nov. 1 Whitefish Pilot, Blake said he formed Common Sense in Whitefish Government “in order to encourage others to vote” for Mike Jenson for mayor and council candidates Turner Askew, Martin McGrew, John Murdock and Kent Taylor. Blake said he was concerned about the leadership and direction of the current council.

Blake could not be reached for comment on Thursday.

Muhlfeld, a hydrologist with River Design Group, was appointed to the council in 2006 to fill the seat vacated by Tom Muri. He was one of the top vote-getters in the Nov. 6 election. Ryan Friel also was elected.

A third council seat ended in a tie vote between Turner Askew and Martin McGrew. The newly seated council is expected to pick a winner on Jan. 7.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com

Also Check Out the Flathead Beacon for more Information.

Internet Real Estate Marketing

2007-09-21T16:33:00.000-07:00

Internet Real Estate Marketing for Whitefish Montana

TenLakeRealty.com is an Internet Marketing Brokerage. We list Northwest Montana Real Estate for Sale by Owner and By Agent on our Dynamic Internet Marketing Network for Your. We are licensed Real Estate Agents now Marketing Real Estate for FSBO's, Agents, Companies and Related Real Estate Services.

We are Literally Number one in Northwest Montana internet searches with www.NorthwestMontana.com , we have a number of websites for Northwest Montana Recreation and Real Estate to Get Your Whitefish Real Estate found Online before the competing properties are found. We are intricately networked everywhere in Northwest Montana Online. Market Your Real Estate For Sale with Us and We Guarantee You will be found. Look around, ... You will find that We are Everywhere and that when it comes to The Internet ~ We Are Northwest Montana.

We can list your real estate for sale on one site or many. You decide which marketing plan is right for your. For More information check out www.NorthwestMontanaPublishing.com , www.TenLakesRealty.com , and www.NorthwestMontanaMarketingGroup.com .

Some of are Websites are as Follows

www.MontanaWaterProperty.com

www.WhitefishRealEstate.biz

www.FSBOwhitefish.biz

www.WhitefishMontanaNews.com

www.WhitefishLakeFrontage.com

www.WhitefishGolfProperty.com

www.WhitefishCommercialProperty.com

www.WhitefishSkiProperty.com

www.WhitefishWaterProperty.com

Our Sites are Very Strong and YOU WILL Be Found.

Whitefish Gas Leak Update

2007-09-03T21:17:00.000-07:00

Whitefish Fuel Leak Update

Soil samples taken from test wells at a fuel seep in the Whitefish River show the contamination likely is linked to the Town Pump gas station/convenience store, a state environmental official said. This leak was reported long ago, why does government agencies take so long to act on things that protect us all ?

Kevin Kenneally, one of Town Pump’s owners, sent a letter to the city last week, noting that the business’ leak-detection systems are monitored daily and “there is no indication of a current release at this site.”“While the source of the hydrocarbons is not yet known, Town Pump shares the city of Whitefish’s concerns regarding the seep and has worked in full cooperation with the Department of Environmental Quality to further investigate the source and mitigate any impact to the Whitefish River,” Kenneally wrote.

We shall see how this plays out, hopefull the pollution has stopped and the water quality and critters can recover.

Ski Whitefish Montana

2007-09-03T21:14:00.000-07:00

Whitefish Mountain Resort in Montana, USA (formerly Big Mountain) has committed additional resources to its Fishbowl Terrain Park and Superpipe with the aim of making it possible to open the popular features by Christmas, as well as to expand the offerings in the park for all ability levels. A new dedicated Park and Pipe Groomer position has been created who will coordinate closely with the terrain park crew and work exclusively in the terrain park and superpipe. The resort will also seek input and involvement from local skiers and riders.
Local snowboarder and photographer Brendan Rohan said, “It is encouraging to see the new board of directors take the initiative to upgrade the on-mountain experience for the new generation of riders. It will also be a great opportunity to dialogue with the mountain about the plan and it will be awesome

for local riders to train here and not have to move elsewhere in search of better facilities.” In 2005, the resort invested $250,000 to build

a 500-foot long Superpipe to Federation of International Skiing (FIS) competition standards. Additional snowmaking, lights,

and a sound system were also installed, and the resort purchased

a new Zaugg Pipe Monster grooming implement,

the industry standard Superpipe groomer.

This winter, the Fishbowl Terrain Park will undergo an expansion to offer a progression of features for all ability levels. A dedicated beginner area will be made up of smaller and less intimidating rails, boxes, rollers, and jumps. In addition, two distinct runs will flow from the top of the Chair 3 area all the way to the bottom: an intermediate line will begin adjacent to the superpipe, and park and grooming crews will take advantage of the headwalls and breakovers on Hope Slope to create an expert line that includes bigger jumps and longer landings. The bottom half of these two lines will run parallel to one another and feature a variety of rails and boxes. Jumps in the park this winter will include a 10-foot table top, 25-foot step down, 30 foot table top, with features including a 14-foot flat beginner rail, 16-foot flat box, 16-foot shotgun rail (double bar rail), 28-foot rainbow rail, 28-foot triple kink rail (flat down flat), a long 40-foot rail, a 20-foot flat box, a 20-foot c-box (a banked and curved funbox), and a wall ride, 8-feet high and 12 feet wide, with a sliding surface on front and top. In order for these initiatives to become reality, the resort is increasing its electric and water supplies in the area that will triple the snowmaking capacity in the pipe and park.

www.skiwhitefish.com

"I need to be in Whitefish Montana"

2007-09-03T21:04:00.001-07:00

Whitefish Montana Song to be Released Soon.

A five-member southern rock band from Statesboro, Ga., is about to release their first CD which will include their hit song "Whitefish, Montana." The CD should be out in December of this year. The writer wrote the song without ever seeing Whitefish, her had heard from his sister that it was "the most beautiful place in the United States."

Watch for the Music Online.

Classic Car Show

2007-09-03T20:38:00.000-07:00

Vintage Car Rally.

Rare cars like Corvettes, Ferraris, Porsches, and Jaguars will cruisef whitefish on their third annual Going-to-the-Sun Road Rally.

It is a 1,300-mile tour, the rally starts in Helena on Sunday, September 2.

The five-day drive crosses Going-to-the-Sun Road, passes through Whitefish en route to Banff, and returns via the same route. The intention: to enjoy the gorgeous mountains.

Whitefish Fuel Leak

2007-08-12T12:45:00.000-07:00

It’s time for answers on fuel leakPosted:

Saturday, Aug 11, 2007 - 11:58:33 pm MDT

Two years is a long time to go without answers when it comes to water quality in the Flathead Valley. Yet that’s exactly what has happened with a gasoline seep into the Whitefish River near the bridge on U.S. 93.Whitefish City Council member Velvet Phillips-Sullivan started asking the state Department of Environmental Quality about the fuel leak more than two years ago and has publicly expressed frustration with DEQ’s lack of action on numerous occasions. On Monday, Whitefish Lake Institute Director Mike Koopal expressed the same sentiment, saying “I’ve talked to three people with DEQ and I’m frustrated with their timeline to mitigate this.”After all of this time, the state agency does not know where the seep is coming from, though it’s possible the foul-smelling effluent is coming from one of Town Pump’s underground tanks. Town Pump has cooperated by hiring a consulting firm to drill for soil samples in the area. But the contamination could be coming from some other historic source, officials say.The state’s Kalispell specialist said samples taken two years ago were inconclusive because the “equipment couldn’t go as deep as we needed.” That, frankly, is a lame answer. Are they going on the assumption that no news is good news?

In the meantime, booms were put in place to contain the spill, but recreationists have told the Inter Lake they’re largely ineffective and sometimes end up downriver.Perhaps the pollution matter will get off dead center now that the Whitefish City Council has decided to write a letter to DEQ and send a copy to the governor. Koopal brought bottles of the gasoline-laced water to the council this week and council members were appalled at the foul smell.The state also maintains the leak doesn’t pose any danger for those recreating on the river since gas vaporizes quickly on surface water. We’re not sure we’d want to take a dip there.The city of Whitefish is right to hold DEQ’s feet to the fire. It appears some vigilant oversight will be needed to get the agency to move forward in a timely manner.

What is Going on With the Pollutions

Allowed in the Whitefish River
What DOES DEQ Care about anyway.

Seems to me that this is an Emergency

and those with authority to act
really DO NOT care.

Whitefish Montana Fires

2007-08-08T19:26:00.000-07:00

Whitefish Fires are Not Really Letting Up.

Sad but True, the Fires of Northwest Montana show no sign of letting up. People are evacuating more and more every day. The ranchers have their cattle in the high country for the season and their fate does not look good.

Whitefish Fires News

SEELEY LAKE, Mont. -
A wildfire near this resort town could continue into the fall unless it rains, even though work to restrain the blaze is showing results, fire managers said Wednesday.
"We've got about a month and a half of this left," safety officer Scott Bates told fire crews at a Wednesday morning briefing.
"You guys have got to pace yourselves," he told firefighters, urging them to get plenty of rest.
Fire commander Glen McNitt said the area usually doesn't see substantial rainfall until mid-September and it was conceivable the fire could last until then. "This country will burn, and it will burn fast and furious," he said. More At... http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/08/08/ap4001814.html

Weather slows Brush Creek fireBy MICHAEL JAMISON of the Missoulian
WHITEFISH n Jack Price quit smoking last year, the year he turned 40.“But I don’t know why the hell I bothered,” he complained, waving his arms through a thick pall of smog. “It’s a pack-a-day habit out here. I’m just about sick and tired of these fires, though, I can tell you that for a fact.”Price was a grumpy ball of energy Monday morning, grumbling at the cell phone which wouldn’t lock a signal, shouting at the horses that wouldn’t trailer up, coughing in the smoke that wrapped everything in its heat.
“Thing is,” he said, “they aren’t even my horses.”

More at ....
http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2007/08/07/news/mtregional/news09.txt

More Northwest Montana Fire Updates at
www.NorthwestMontana.com