Page 10 - Flathead Beacon // 12.30.15

NEWS
Courthouse Trees Face Removal
Top-heavy trees could cause damage to person or property, parks director said
BY MOLLY PRIDDY OF THE BEACON
A pair of trees that have stood senti- nel outside the original Flathead County Courthouse for a century are likely in their nal days, after the county deter- mined the damage and rot in one of the trees makes it a safety hazard.
The Flathead County Commission discussed the issue with county parks Director Jed Fisher during a scheduled hearing earlier in the month. Fisher informed the commission that taking down the trees would likely cause a bit of public outcry, given the special way they frame the courthouse doors.
Fisher noted that he had written to the commission before with concerns about the tree on the west side of the lot, which had been hit by a driver a few years ago and has been dying and rotting ever since.
He said he was particularly worried about how the tree would respond to recent wind episodes, during which the wind whipped up at about 35 mph. There is potential for the tree to fall and dam- age property or injure someone, he said.
And Fisher also noted the likelihood that both trees would be removed if one goes.
“There’s this long talk about hav- ing an aesthetically pleasing look
Two trees in front of the Flathead County Courthouse could be removed. GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON
Day Foundation; it’s the chopping o of branches and the top of the tree, which actually promotes rapid growth of new branches, the foundation said.
With both trees now top heavy, Fisher said they could topple onto the recently refurbished historic courthouse, or the new lawn, or even an unlucky person.
But, given the trees’ high pro le place- ment on the U.S. Highway 93 couplet right in downtown Kalispell, Fisher said he wanted to ease into the process so as not to alarm the public. He said that while it is the county’s job to maintain its prop- erty, he wanted to let the public know why the trees were facing removal before going in and chopping them down.
“My guys are very leery of just pulling out there early in the morning and just taking out two established trees,” Fisher told the commission.
Mitchell, who said he has a horticul- ture degree and is thus a fan of trees, said he understood the necessity for removal, even if he didn’t like the idea of it.
“I want trees,” Mitchell said. “I’m sorry, these are not good trees to keep.”
The commission did not make a deci- sion on the trees during the meeting, and a timeline to determine their future has not yet been set.
mpriddy@ atheadbeacon.com
and (symmetry) and both trees being removed,” Fisher said.
At least two tree-focused profes- sionals – one a logger, one a forester – have shown concern for the trees – one reached out to Commissioner Phil Mitch- ell, and the other from the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
wrote a report for the county about the rot in the westerly tree.
Fisher said the problem with both trees is that they’ve been topped for so many years as a form of maintenance that they’re now “very top heavy.” Topping trees is considered the least healthy way to maintain trees, according to the Arbor
Kalispell Hospital Establishes Residency Program for New Nurses Twelve-month program is one of the rst in the state and seeks to address health care shortage
BY DILLON TABISH OF THE BEACON
In an e ort to address the growing demand for nurses, Kalispell Regional Healthcare has developed a new resi- dency program that is one of the rst in Montana.
The program, established in the last year, welcomes newly licensed nurses for a 12-month residency that seeks to bridge the gap from academic nursing to clinical practice.
The demand for nurses has spiked over the last decade due to rising patient numbers as the Baby Boomer genera- tion ages and more people gain insur- ance through the federal A ordable Care Act. The number of nurses in Montana has increased by more than 1,500, from 18,263 to 19,897 in August, according to the Montana Board of Nursing.
But, according to national research, roughly 25 percent of new nurses leave a position in the rst year, a signi cant contributing factor to the shortage.
“It can be hard to nd experienced nurses, which is why we’re trying to grow this residency program,” said Jim
The nurses station in the emergency room at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. BEACON FILE PHOTO
nurses from across the country, includ- ing California and Washington. Once enrolled, nurses undergo weekly courses, mentoring opportunities and hands-on experience throughout the vast parts of the hospital, including the surgical oor, intermediate care oor and transitional care unit. In the rst 14 weeks, nurse res- idents work closely with a trained precep- tor, learning to become more independent in their role over time, Pokorny said.
“Our main goal is to provide them a strong foundation,” she said.
The Montana Department of Labor published a study in 2013 that projected the state’s health care industry to grow by roughly 1,300 jobs every year until 2022. There are expected to be roughly 349 openings for nurses annually during that span.
“The ‘trial by re’ approach doesn’t work,” Oliverson said. “It puts patient safety at risk and puts nurses at risk. That’s why this residency program is so important.”
For more information about the nurse residency program, visit krh.org.
dtabish@ atheadbeacon.com
Oliverson, vice president at Kalispell Regional Healthcare.
Mandy Pokorny, coordinator of the nurse residency program at Kalispell Regional Healthcare, said it is important for nurses fresh out of college to have sup- port and structure to help them succeed and transition into a new career.
“There can be a gap from school to work and it is a very demanding practice,” Pokorny said.
“Support early on is really important.”
Nurses accepted into the residency pro- gram are paid and sign a three-year com- mitment to Kalispell Regional Health- care. So far the program has attracted
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DECEMBER 30, 2015 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM