Growth, high prices - greed or magic?

Editor,

Ponder for a moment, if you will, J. Preston's letter and the closing paragraph: "My fear is that the magic of the Flathead Lake region is being irrevocably eroded by this kind of greedy corporate development that enriches a few, impoverishes the many and leaves as our collective legacy huge and architectural monuments to retail hegemony."

Like WOW! Perhaps Mr. Preston has not taken a little tour of the Mission Bay subdivision where developers have strung row-after-row of ticky-tacky and obnoxiously over-priced, look-alike houses. To the east are great numbers of lots, some dangerously close to the lake and wet lands, yet to be built upon.

Grab life by the lake? Greedy corporate developers? Better yet, take a look at the ugly architectural signs that greet the public as they exit north from the bowling alley/bar, car wash, laundry, dry cleaner, bakery, bank area onto Highway 35. There may be a good use for these signs, as they cover the massive RV park development which abuts the golf course to the north. Along with covering up that development, the signs block the once pleasant view of the Lake.

With the recent development of Highway 35 and its sidewalks, bike trail, and turnouts, we will now have to contend with water issues as some of the green ways will be irrigated. How does that work? The newest Highway 35 subdivision at Haack road boasts 20 some lots on 32 acres. Lots that when farmed were $300 an acre are now going for $80,000 and up per lot. Greed? Magic? Where is the line which defines greed/magic?

And, lastly, having Mike Maddy serve on a council that will ultimately decide the fate of the Wal-Mart project is like having Dracula in charge of the blood bank.

Maureen Theiler

Polson