Commissioners agree to pave Main Street
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POLSON — Downtown business owner Jackie Cripe from Jackie M’s Footwear gave an impassioned plea to the Polson City Commissioners to patch the unpaved strip of Main Street at the June 21 meeting at 7 p.m.
After first thanking the Polson City Street Department for doing as good a job as they could with the dirt strip, Cripe told the commissioners the downtown businesses are worried the rocks and holes will scare away business.
“The year-round shoppers are the cake,” Cripe said, “We need the icing. Visitors and snowbirds are the icing on that cake.”
Cripe brought up all the projects the Polson Business Community had completed and plans to complete, such as the Cherry Festival, relocating the Farmer’s Market to the downtown and now the Armed Forces Memorial Staircase. They’ve planted trees, bought grates, garbage cans and benches and donated $400 to the fireworks fund.
The Valley Cruisers Car Show, scheduled for Aug. 6, 7 and 8 this year, brings thousands of dollars to the community, Cripe said, adding that already people are saying they won’t bring their cars to the show.
The businesses have raised $1,000 to patch Main Street so Cripe said, “I’m asking you, and I’m begging you to make Main Street safe and presentable.”
First Resort owner Tali Duford also spoke, saying the unpaved portion of Main Street “hurts the economy of this town and is an eyesore.”
Valley Cruisers President Richard Santorno also spoke up. “I think it would really behoove the city to fix the street. I don’t want to park my car in the mud and the dust.”
The commissioners voted to allow the merchants to keep their $1,000 and to patch the street at a cost of about $4,000.
Polson City Manager Todd Crossett had the following comments:
• The results of the two public medical marijuana meetings will be presented to the city/county planning board on June 22. The meeting will be held on the third floor of the Lake County Courthouse at 6 p.m.
• At the June 7 meeting the commissioners authorized an appraisal on a piece of property in Mission Bay. The city is interested in the property as the site of a water well; it appraised at $77,000 and the appraisal fee was $350.
• Crossett has been contacted by the owner of the building next door to Polson City Hall as well as his attorney to see if the city is interested in purchasing the building.
• The Fire Stakeholders meetings are on hold until September since summer is a busy season.
• The weather has not helped out business at the golf course.
• Work continues on the budget. Crossett expects to present a preliminary budget at the second city commission meeting in July.
Polson Police chief Doug Chase introduced father/son team of Polson Police Reserve Officers Chris and Gabe Dentler. The Dentler’s have ties to the PPD since PPD Officer Anthony Dentler is Chris’ son and Gabe’s brother. Chase also introduced PPD Officer Luke Brandeberry, who joined the force in February.
In other business, the commissioners:
• Approved the Fourth of July fireworks display and waived the fee and bond.
• Appointed Carole Olson to the Polson City Library Board of Trustees for a five-year term.
• Approved the May 2010 cash report.
• Approved investments.
The commissioners will meet on Thursday, July 1, to determine the date of their next meeting.
