Whitehall, MT

Gunshows, Assemblies, Scholarships, Park Displays, 50/50 Drawings, Building Upgrades, Facility Rentals, Community Visioning, and Chili Feeds…

These veterans are busy guys. If you are a veteran and have ideas about any of the above topics, post a comment here on the blog, or consider coming to the next meeting, November 6th at the Whitehall Community Center at 7pm.

Topics under discussion currently are 1) designing the veterans’ display at the new Silver Tower Park, and 2) getting the word out on how to rent the Whitehall Community Center, which the veterans run.

The visioning session with the Whitehall American Legion and VFW Posts involved nineteen members and guests and was very interesting. The main theme was to sustain the friendly down home feel of our community and maintain the progressive actions from the many volunteers to continue improving the overall quality of life. Whitehall’s location was seen as a tremendous asset that offers numerous nearby recreational opportunities and yet still having the big city amenities within a short drive. The pending mine closure prompted discussion about the need for quality job replacement and focusing efforts on small business development. There was a recognition that change was happening within the area with the current growth and that proactive involvement is a way to manage the future challenges.

This Saturday the lightpost flags around town were taken down because the weather and wind have taken their toll. Flags will be replaced as needed and put up again next spring.

The looming Golden Sunlight Mine closure scheduled for late 2008 has sparked considerable discussion about what will happen to the 10,000 (+) acres currently owned by the mine.

The community has enjoyed access to this property for recreational purposes for many years that encompasses valuable wetlands, elk calving grounds, a prize fishing stream and a historic ranch property. This community asset is contributes to the overall quality of life we enjoy and was an area of concern that the community addressed during the Study Circle process. A community meeting with the mine leadership was held as a result of Study Circles and positive movement is being supported that will allow the community these unique treasures we all enjoy. The Community Transition Advisory Committee (CTAC) is spearheading the coordination and Tom Harrington is the point of contact. For more information, call Tom at 287-3282, or leave a comment here on the blog!

For more information about CTAC or JLDC, click on the link to the right of this window!

(text by Tom Harrington)

Workforce (Affordable) Housing:

Affordable quality workforce housing is in short supply in Whitehall and was identified as a critical area of need during the Study Circles process. Work is being done to look at various housing options such as Habitat for Humanity and self help home program through the National Affordable Housing Network. Click on either link to see what the houses could look like.

Property in the Whitehall area is being identified for possible purchase that would allow self help homes to be built that will help fill the need. Tara Mastel and Tom Harrington are the points of contact for more information, at 287-3282, or better yet, post a comment here on the blog!

(text by Tom Harrington)

October 10: Progress was made today, but not quite on the scale we had hoped. We over came The Weed Barrier Crisis only to run smack into The Broken Excavator Crisis. However, many folks showed up to help, and the trails are coming along. Check back for more information about the next work party effort!

October 5th: The park changes are underway!