Page 12 - Flathead Beacon // 12.14.16

NEWS
White sh Repudiates Racist Ideology of ‘Alt-Right’ In signing o cial proclamation, city o cials take latest steps to promote equality
BY TRISTAN SCOTT OF THE BEACON WHITEFISH — The city of White sh
on Dec. 5 repudiated the racist ideology of part-time resident Richard B. Spencer, a white nationalist leader whose views have recently been elevated by high-pro- le media reports that reference his ties to this mountain community.
Before a packed council chambers brimming with residents who raised signs reading “Love Lives Here,” White- sh Mayor John Muhlfeld read a procla- mation rmly declaring that Spencer’s views and those of the so-called “alt- right” are “a direct a ront to our com- munity’s core values and principles,” establishing a symbolic gulf between the inclusive spirit of the tiny resort town and Spencer’s vision of a racially exclu- sive white ethno-state.
“The City of White sh rejects rac- ism and bigotry in all its forms and
expressions,” Muhlfeld said to raucous applause.
With an ideology that’s a mix of rac- ism, white nationalism and old-fash- ioned populism, the “alt-right” has burst into the collective consciousness since members showed up at the Republi- can National Convention to celebrate Trump’s nomination last summer.
The signing of the proclamation is the latest example of the city taking a rm stance in support of diversity and equality and against discrimination, and comes on the heels of recent national and local reports about Spencer’s movement having gained momentum during pres- ident-elect Donald Trump’s turbulent campaign and following his victory.
Although Trump has disavowed the views of the “alt-right” movement, a term Spencer coined for a revisionist brand of white separatism he hopes to inject into mainstream culture and politics,
members of the fringe movement cele- brated the President-elect’s outspoken views opposing immigration, as well as his selection of Stephen Bannon, the for- mer head of Breitbart News, perhaps the alt-right’s most prominent platform, as his senior adviser and chief strategist.
And while Spencer’s white-nationalist think-tank is headquartered in White- sh, the droves of residents who turned out for Monday’s council meeting made it clear that his extremist views are the exception, not the rule.
On Dec. 1, 2014, the White sh City Council unanimously passed a reso- lution supporting diversity and toler- ance in the community, and earlier this year took an even more aggressive step toward protecting and promoting diver- sity in the community when it adopted a non-discrimination ordinance, extend- ing unmet civil rights protections to res- idents based on sexual orientation and
gender identity.
Councilor Frank Sweeney, who was
instrumental in pushing for the non-dis- crimination ordinance and crafting the language in the proclamation, quoted a recent op-ed in the New York Times by Evan McMullin, a former C.I.A. o cer who ran as a conservative independent presidential candidate in 2016.
“We must never forget that we are born equal, with basic, natural rights, including those of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” Sweeney read. “Those rights are inherent in us because we are humans, not because they are granted by government.”
The proclamation also received praise from the White sh business commu- nity, including White sh Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Tony Veseth and White sh Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Dylan Boyle.
tscott@ atheadbeacon.com
Kalispell Considers Revamping Begg Park into City’s First Dog Park City sta propose fencing 3.5-acre section of existing public site for o -leash dog park
BY DILLON TABISH OF THE BEACON
Dog owners and their canine compan- ions may nally have a designated place to play in Kalispell.
The city is considering revamping Begg Park o Airport Road into an o - leash dog park.
Located on the south side of Kalispell, Begg Park has 6.24 acres that include existing amenities such as a gazebo, playground and basketball court, as well as parking. City sta developed a site plan for a 3.5-acre section that would be fenced to create Kalispell’s rst dog park.
The city council is scheduled to review the proposal at a work session on Dec. 12. City sta has asked to utilize $49,935 of
tax-increment nancing to pay for fenc- ing, a drainage system to address sur- face water that regularly accumulates at the park, concrete slabs at the entrance, and other irrigation and landscaping expenses.
Dogs are required to remain on a leash at public parks. The concept of an o -leash site has gained steam in recent years with the popularity of Hugh Rog- ers Wag Park in White sh, which was featured in USA Today a year ago as one of the 10 best dog parks in the country. A local nonpro t organization called Paws to Play formed two years ago to gather support for a Kalispell site, holding fund- raising events and partnering with the city to search for a proper location.
“We’re thrilled and totally onboard (with the city’s proposal for Begg Park),” Diane Bokor, one of the leaders with Paws to Play, said. “We know this is a process and that the city still needs to get input. But we think this would be a wonderful gift to give to the city.”
Chad Fincher, director of the Kalis- pell Parks and Recreation Department, said sta members have been reviewing sites across the city that could properly accommodate a dog park.
“We tried to nd a place that is underutilized,” he said.
Fincher said Begg Park has many fea- tures that make it suitable for a dog park, including a parking lot and a connection to the city’s trail system.
“It seemed to be a natural t,” he said.
The proposal also ts a goal of the South Kalispell Urban Renewal Plan, which was crafted with community input and showed signi cant support for a dog park on the south end of town.
If the city council approves funding the project, Fincher said the dog park could be developed as early as next spring.
Bokor said the Paws to Play group has raised more than $21,000 through events and donations, with the help of the Flat- head Community Foundation as well as the Flathead Land Trust. Those funds could pay for amenities at the site, such as benches, water fountains and dog waste bags.
dtabish@ atheadbeacon.com
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DECEMBER 14, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM