This year, we were told a lot of things are awful. Politicians were horrible, their policies were worse and we were doomed no matter the outcome. But then the election passed and the majority of us are moving on whether our preferred candidates won.
To be sure, not everyone is. People in every state have petitioned to secede from the Union following President Barack Obama’s victory. It reminds me of when people threatened to move to other countries when former President George W. Bush won a second term. In other words, both are dumb.
As I thought about what I was most thankful for as Thanksgiving approached, the conclusion of election season was at the top of the list. Pathetic, I know. But anymore, politics divide families and friends like nothing else. So, yes, I’m thankful that the bitter debate is no longer at a fever pitch.
But there are other, more Flathead-centric, things I appreciate about the last year. For one, the job market across Northwest Montana improved substantially. September’s non-seasonally adjusted jobless rate in Flathead County was 7.4 percent. Far too high, but still 2.5 percentage points lower than the same month a year prior. Unemployment numbers can be a misleading barometer since they don’t factor in underemployment or those who have left to seek jobs in other areas, but it’s clear the workforce is better off than it has been for a while.
There are a few people who deserve credit for that. Those employers who have continued to invest in the valley, many bosses at relatively young tech companies who would have a far easier job making it elsewhere but choose to live here.
Then there are those who have joined forces to sell this area as a destination and who I am especially thankful for this year. From the chambers of commerce to the downtown associations to the visitor bureaus, the combined efforts of these organizations paid dividends over the last year.
In Glacier National Park, visitation through September was up about 13 percent over 2011. Hotel visitations were up. Resort tax revenues were up. September’s Dragon Boat Races extended the summer season and are returning next year. Other events, such as the Spartan Race scheduled for the spring, have the potential to bring more people to the valley. Overall, there was a sense over the last several months that the economy had finally turned a corner as tourists flocked to the area.
I’m also thankful for the incredible staff at the Beacon. I get to work every day with some of my best friends, many who have stuck around since we opened up shop more than five years ago. They work long hours, never complain and take pride in the fact that what they produce tightens the bonds in the community a little bit more.
And finally, and most importantly, I’m thankful for all of you. Each passing year, I realize a little more how blessed I am to live here. Without our readers’ support, we couldn’t do this. All of us here know that. And we are dedicated to continually improving our products so they more closely reflect the amazing region and people we cover.
In this week’s newspaper we highlighted just a few of those people. They dedicate themselves to giving back, whether offering free dental care or free meals. We could have included many more Flathead residents. Thanks for making this a great place to live and thanks for letting us be a part of it.