BREAKING NEWS Court approves Supercenter

POLSON — The Polson Wal-Mart Super Center project, in planning stages since before 2005, was cleared on Tuesday by the Montana Supreme Court.

The unanimous decision upholds the district court ruling that the project does not violate the Polson Growth Policy and other zoning and development code regulations. The clerk’s office notified Polson City Attorney James Raymond of the decision on Tuesday afternoon.

“I can’t describe how it feels right now, it’s that good,” store manager Dave Tolley said on Tuesday evening.

The new center will bring numerous jobs and draw people to the area, he said.

Plans to begin construction haven’t been finalized, but it will sit above the existing Wal-Mart near Clearview Drive, Tolley said.

The group Lake County First, consisting of around 100 plaintiffs, filed suit to stop the center in 2005. The case has worked its way through the judicial system since.

The Polson City Council and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. are listed as defendants.

Sandy and Jim Hinshaw live on Clearview Drive near the new site.

“We really weren’t for it or against it, I just don’t think that you can stop it. And when it happens, go with the flow,” Sandy said of the news.

Several plaintiffs were contacted for reactions, but were not reached before press time.