Comments on: Whitefish Businessman: Please Return Stolen Sign
By Bill Milner on 04-21-09
Thank you Flathead Beacon. There is a reward for the return or information leading to it. No questions asked. Hopefully it was just “borrowed.” The sign was made by a local Whitefish artist, costing more than I’m willing to admit. The value puts it in a category that could create a severe, life long penalty of record. No one needs that and I sure don’t want that to happen. Maybe if it’s found, say, on the roadside, some kindhearted Samaritan could just drop it off at the local gas station explaining that they found it. No need to identify yourself. Or… find a way to let me know about it for a nice reward. Wink, wink. Part of me is very upset and angry but I don’t want to prosecute, I just want to get it back and do my job for my neighbors trying to sell their homes. Thank you FB.
If it doesn’t show up, I’ll have to have something made. That will take some time. I am serious when I state that I represent sellers who are desperate and could lose their house. The sign helps me help them keep a roof over their head.
By Alician on 04-22-09
Bill, I am sorry about your sign and hope that whomever took it does the right thing and return it. Real Estate is tough enough without adding too the situation. Good luck.
By Sad, but true on 04-22-09
Sorry, you just got caught up in the Whitefish - Foleyville backlash. This is the response to the social cleansing that has been going on up in Tinseltown since the trust fund set “discovered” the place.
I can’t believe that there’s a serious problem with desperate sellers, etc. Won’t dad just cut a check to cover?
The Whitefish residents who couldn’t stand (or afford) the wealthy carpetbaggers moved out years ago.
By Bill on 04-22-09
To Sad: I didn’t miss my sign until Monday. I walk by it everyday without paying much attention. My sign was most likely stolen when the bars closed on Friday or Saturday night. This is SOP for adverse events on the weekend. I don’t understand your comment about this having anything to do with Foley. It’s been this way for decades. At 2:00AM some leave their better sense at the bar. Those that get caught are usually not WF residents except for some teens that are testing boundaries.
Regarding desperate sellers: about 80-90% or more of Whitefish are just regular Joe’s and Jane’s. They work on the railroad, timber, teachers, cops, body shops, bartenders/waiters, construction, bank tellers, etc. Many are having tough times. Your comment about having dad just cut a check is way off base. These people ARE the dads. Take a ride thru the off Central Ave. neighborhoods and you’ll see everyday America.
Yes, we have some that are very well off and we’re fortunate to have them. They add money to what the locals contribute to make things nicer. They refurbished the train depot, helped build our arts theater, the library, the middle school auditorium and more. Joe and Jane can only do so much. We count on those that are better able and respect them for it. You’d be surprised how much is contributed anonymously. They don’t want recognition, they just want to help. Recently The Whitefish Classic raised $60,000 to grant money to those that can’t afford to travel to out of town medical facilities with their sick or injured children. That money was mostly from those locals with deeper pockets. The well to do and the Joe’s and Jane’s work side by side, hand in hand.
You have a view that is far from accurate. Your comments tell us much more about you than what you describe as someone who lives and works in Whitefish. Something must have rubbed you wrong sometime ago and you haven’t gotten passed it. There’s a lot to love about Whitefish, most of all the everyday people who care for and respect their neighbors no matter how thin or thick the wallet.
Yes, there are some problems and some are socio-economic but come back, look closer, you’ll like what you see. It’s not perfect but is a nice mix.
Now, back to MY subject, “I don’t want to buy a new sign. Help me find it.”
By Kathie Mattson on 04-23-09
This is VERY upsetting!!! The sign is of no value to anyone else, so PLEASE bring this man his sign back. Times are tough enough for businesses right now; don’t make the situation even worse!!! Sneak over tonight, and just leave the sign beside his door, or do the right thing and put it back up for him!!!
By Bob on 04-23-09
I have known Bill for some time and there are no better advocates for the entire Flathead community than Bill and his family. I have both seen and experienced his dedication to his customers and business associates and the least that he should be able to expect is to continue to add to the enjoyment and growth of the community in peace. Please bring the family business sign back or, as suggested, drop it off to any local establishment. I have found few of them that don’t know and respect Bill & his family so it will find its way back to them. Thank you in advance for helping a fellow neighbor.
By Rose on 04-23-09
Wow, I worked in the heart of San Francisco Real Estate for years and in all that time never experienced our signs being stolen. Imagine moving to small-town Amercia and hearing about this. Bottom line…. it’s not where your from, it’s how you are raised.
By Bill on 04-23-09
Signs become souvenirs. Unique names of Montana businesses often end up hanging in homes out of state and in Canada (no offense intended but don’t pretend it doesn’t happen). Street signs and signs to properties are too often taken and become decorations in bedrooms, garages, etc. Who cares if it cost a grand and is the tool used to help people in trouble sell their homes.
Moose Lane, Eagles Nest, Cowboy Way, Whitefish River, Grizzly Gulch, etc.
My guess is that was why my sign was taken. “Hey, check this out! Looks great over the entrance to my garage, eh!” (Jokin’. Actually, the Canadians would probably be the last to take the sign for fear of getting caught at the border. It’s probably one of us.).
By Bill on 04-23-09
Thanks Dad, I mean Bob.
By Still sad on 04-23-09
Bill, you are probably right about the after bar closing time antics. It’s been going on for way too long. I know they’ve broken windows on occasion, too.
Thanks for the psychological exam Bill, I’m sure you’re the expert. Sorry, but there’s no event which I “haven’t gotten passed” (sic). That’s actually been part of the very tired stock retort by the newly arrived wealth for some time now.
You’re just angry, you don’t understand, you have an axe to grind, the mountain would have folded without us, we fixed this town up, ad nauseum. I’m certain that homeowners facing forclosure appreciate the museum, theatre, depot, all of the pet projects of the rich. If you really want to see the disparity, go talk to kids who cannot afford skiing EVER, yet attend school with classmates who have season passes, nice equipment and clothing, money to spare.
The Winter Classic was here long before the influx of the uber rich. If the Joes & Janes are all gonna have a love fest with the glitterati, why must the wealthy lurk inside their gated communities?
Why do the working folk have problems? The out of towners with more money than brains fell for the inflated realty, driving prices higher than local workers could ever afford. Last time I looked, timber workers were getting laid off and railroaders are having to go to Havre for work, anyway. Construction’s down and you really must go ask a bank teller what the wages are. Even Whitefish Mountain hires foreigners, that’s great for the local economy, right?
Bring the sign back. The vandalism from the bar patrons is not acceptable.
By Bill on 04-23-09
Still sad: This article is about someone stealing a sign.
You should be invited to the next forum of debate about how the Whitefish society has changed as it has grown. You have opinions worthy of contribution to such a dialog.
Thank you for your interest in my hopes for the return of my sign. I wish you well. Bill
The views expressed in the comments section do not reflect those of the Beacon.