Controversy shows that people do care

Editor,

However the decision ends up this week, one good thing has come of the process of considering Wal-Mart's application for a supercenter in Polson: More people have taken an interest in planning for Polson's future than ever before, and they showed up to let their representative officials know that they feel strongly about this place and this issue.

For the most part, people have expressed themselves civilly, sticking to issues rather than trashing the characters of the opposition. This decision is not about me, or Greg Hertz, or Dave Tolley. Tolley may not even have a guarantee that he will manage a new superstore here, if it should go through. That is a corporate decision.

Mostly people have stayed with the issues of Polson's future, the economy, the aesthetics, the issues of zoning and annexation and the issue of shopping. The decision of the council will be made in accordance with our planning documents, anticipating the long-term outcomes for our future. To me, the consequences of a superstore of 159,000 square feet, open 24 hours, starting a strip development and imposing a traffic obstacle on Highway 93 hill don't look to be in the best interests of Polson and Lake County.

I would guess that very few people moved here or chose to stay here because of their shopping choices. Nor will cheap prices be the draw for economic vitality in the future. Our people and our economy thrive because of the appeal of the lake and mountains, the wide open spaces, the peaceful places, and the relief from the congestion of the cities. Our economy and community will continue to thrive as long as we don't do something stupid to damage our natural advantages.

I have taken a risk by sticking my neck out for what I believe will be best for Lake County. Some days I have felt a connection with David fighting the giant Goliath. I am so small, so poor, so weak compared with Wal-Mart. It is an act of daring to stand against the world's largest corporate economy, to resist putting consumerism first, to actually act on behalf of my ethical values, as a citizen for my community, for the environment, for the remaining downtown we have. I have dared to defy the thoughtless funneling of money into out-of-state corporate coffers more quickly, by those who want to make shopping easier.

I realize many people disagree with me, and would like to see the easy convenience of a super box store in Polson. I don't hold it against anyone who likes to shop at Wal-Mart, though I didn't appreciate the hate mail I received.

Cheap is more than what we buy; it is what we do to our community. In effect, we cheapen this place, opening it up to Wal-Mart and the ensuing strip development. In Ravalli County one person stood up to say, "Do you want to sell off this great place for the savings of five cents on a can of pop?"

As Polson grows and changes, let's continue to work together with our public officials, helping them find solutions to budget problems for infrastructure, such as raising planning fees to levels comparable with other cities in Montana. That will allow us to develop a more proactive planning process, rather than merely reacting to development proposals from outside of our community.

Let's encourage the city to work with the downtown business people and the Main Street project to further develop Polson's appeal as a destination for visitors and a place where business owners, bringing economic opportunity, would like to relocate, with quality schools, water and infrastructure, and a plan for the inevitable growth we will see.

In the meantime, I hope everyone has a great summer in this beautiful place we call home.

Carolyn Beecher

Ronan