Fall brings changes to community
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The beat goes on; however, it’s at a somewhat lesser pace as Polson Schools are now in session.
Nick and Rae Dentler, our heartfelt love and prayers are with you and your family. The Dentlers lost their precious Cylus 23 days into his life. We cannot even fathom the mental and emotional pain they and others who have experienced this tragedy in their lives endure. Nick is a Lake County Reserve Deputy. At the city we have three Dentlers in harness. Anthony who is full time, and father Chris plus brother Gabe are in our reserve unit. Their pastor and one of our police department chaplains, Wes Foster, conducted the service held Aug 31. There was hardly a dry eye in the church or Lake View Cemetery.
City and county budgets are fast approaching the deadline to be passed by the commissioners of each entity. Budgets last year saw restrictions placed midyear on expenditures as nonpayment of and/or protests of taxes came to the forefront. This year’s budget at the city saw departments asked to cut 5 percent from their lines with the exception of personnel. These are tough times for many of our residents, and one needs to keep this in mind on a daily basis.
To the Boy Scouts that did such great community service in Glacier National Park this summer, thanks. To Vince Devlin and Kurt Wilson who brought us the story in words and photos, thanks. So much good abounds around us, but often gets lost in the negative of the day.
Congratulations to Anna Wright, a 911 dispatcher, as she assumes the supervisor role. Anna is a veteran dispatcher with several years of service with the Ronan Police Department before she joined Lake County dispatch.
The Lower Flathead Valley Community Foundation and Polson’s First Interstate Bank provided funding to furnish each officer in our department with a top-of-the-line life jacket. After two river rescues in the last few years, it is indeed comforting as an administrator to be able to equip my officers with such important tools.
Normally the Polson Fire Department or Lake County Search and Rescue are the responders, especially if the rescue is a distance away from shore. We recognize each of these professional organizations as the experts in this area and salute them. You just can’t give enough credit to these two volunteer organizations.
It’s hard to do, but I suppose I should congratulate the Polson Volunteer Fire Department for bringing home the gold, as they won the People’s Choice First Place Trophy in The Rotary Club’s Chili Cook-off. I am advised that monies, well over $10,000, go to our hometown American Legion Mariners for improvement at the park. Way to go Rotarians. The good-natured rivalry between the Polson Police and the fire lassies and laddies continues.
Aggi Loeser left City Hall’s employment after 20-plus years, many as City Clerk. No finer individual have we worked with. She was given a rousing sendoff complete with red and blue lights of police vehicles and the roar of a fire engine siren.
It is said that everyone’s replaceable. We will see. Kala Parker assumes the title of City Clerk. If anyone can replace our Aggi, Kala can do it.
The owners of the Driftwood have announced they are closed as of 3 p.m. Sept. 6. Many a Polsonite has eaten there, including us in law enforcement, and the restaurant is also a favorite for a cup of “Joe.” Ron, Lori, Scotty and the crew will indeed be missed.
Ptlm. Chris Wright and Wal-Mart Human Resource Specialist Erin Melugin, plus a myriad of other Wal-Mart employees and numerous emergency service providers held another successful annual Safety Days. This activity is primarily directed at our youth in the community. As always, it was seamless.
Assistant Chief Stevens and I just returned from touring the new Tribal Health Center. Wow!
Now on to traffic tips — one might wonder why school zones require a 15 mph speed. It takes 46 feet to stop a car at 20 mph under ideal conditions. We rest our case.
Red is for stop; green is for go; yellow means it’s time to slow. Simplistic? Yes. Important to adhere to? Yes.
Headlights are required from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise.
Have a wonderful September; stay safe.
Doug Chase is the Polson Police Chief.
