My husband and I live in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and enjoy skiing at Schweitzer and Silver Mountain. We would love to have a new area to visit in the Missoula area. I am an attorney and my husband works in real estate. We have watched Kellogg and the Silver Mountain owners struggle to build the resort and grow the popularity there and cannot imagine an area that would not welcome the joy of economic growth for such a super sport!
With our economy at a historical low, this could be huge potential for jobs in the area and new recreational opportunities. Some very successful resorts have developed during low economic times (for example, Breckenridge in the late '70s). It is hard enough to make a ski resort work and to bring jobs and prosperity to our more remote regions. Why in the world would people oppose it in Missoula? Although a college town has some economic stability from the school itself, it is extremely difficult for graduates to stay in the area after graduation. I experienced this issue after completing my graduate work at the University of Idaho in Moscow, Ida.
Stacia Hagerty,
Coeur d’Alene, Ida.
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adam wrote on Nov 19, 2008 6:38 PM:
" Re: Bitterroot resort. In regards to Stacia's letter in support of the Bitterroot resort I would say this. You speak of living in Coeur D'Alene and supporting Silver and Schweitzer and not imagining why we would be dumb enough in Missoula and the Bitterroot not to support the Bitterroot resort. First off, Silver isn't in your front yard like the Bitterroot resort is in ours. Secondly, the jobs that these places create are primarily seasonal, low paying jobs. Finally, you used Breckenridge as an example for us to aspire to.....if we wanted Breckenridge, we would move there. Why don't you? "
Cary Griffin wrote on Nov 20, 2008 7:30 AM:
" As someone originally from Colorado I witnessed what the lovely Breckenridge Resort did to the locals. It drove them out of town to live in trailer parks, it destroyed access to local to hunting, it crowded the Blue River with trophy homes and no trespassing signs, and created traffic jams in one of the most pristine areas in America. The big draw in Silverthorne, just down the road, is the Outlet Stores...talk about great scenery! Economic prosperity should not be measured in MORE, it should be measured in BETTER.
CG
Florence, MT "
CG
Florence, MT "
Joe Murray wrote on Nov 20, 2008 1:04 PM:
" This "Bitterrot Resort" isn't about economic development in Missoula or the Bitterroot Valley. It's only about improving the economic situation for one landowner with total disregard of the impacts on the surrounding property owners and community. Unless someone is a supporter of unimaginable property tax levels, low paying jobs, etc., this whole proposal is, and always, will be a sham. Ms. Hagerrt, if you want to ski in the Missoula area...go to Snowbowl or Lost Trail - don't try to pull the economic development wool over our eyes! "
JJJJJJJ wrote on Nov 20, 2008 3:07 PM:
" Here is a good idea, let the Bitterroot resort develop a ski area, of which most of the lower mountain is incapable of holding snow, that employ mostly seasonal low paying jobs and is nothing more than a real estate development project. Please take a look at what is going on with the Yellowstone Club, Tamarack Resort, Moonlight Basin, Intrawest Resorts, Marshall Mountain - all are having financial troubles, laying off workers or are in bankruptcy. We have great skiing opportunties all around Missoula, we do not need another. "
Ray wrote on Nov 23, 2008 1:36 PM:
" A lawyer & a land developer from Coeur 'd Alene - nuff Said... "
Marc wrote on Nov 23, 2008 3:16 PM:
" Stacia, For someone who likes to flash how intelligent they are (Attorney) I am amazed!!!
This is all about real estate and hollow promises and low paying jobs. When its all said and done the only one to benefit will be McClay himself. It reminds me of the crisses we are in now. The fat cat wall street / banker people have made their millions and moved on. So will McClay, leaving us the local tax payers to clean up his mess. I for one will do everything in my power to oppose this . God lord we dont even get snow!! "
This is all about real estate and hollow promises and low paying jobs. When its all said and done the only one to benefit will be McClay himself. It reminds me of the crisses we are in now. The fat cat wall street / banker people have made their millions and moved on. So will McClay, leaving us the local tax payers to clean up his mess. I for one will do everything in my power to oppose this . God lord we dont even get snow!! "
Vrede wrote on Nov 19, 2008 3:19 PM:
So does illegal drug production and sales, but that doesn't mean it's good for the land or community. "