At Thanksgiving, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) chose to approve the waste-water permit requested for a nebulous big-box store south of Hamilton. Many in the Valley will see that as “business as usual,” that is, betraying the natural environment and the traditional social and economic construct of the area in favor of big business and junk; others will see it as opening the door to jobs and desirable shopping opportunities. Is it not also a chance to reshape our relatively small and isolated community in a way that would inspire others and show that real, positive change is possible?
I am not personally acquainted with any of the particularly wealthy individuals and families in the Bitterroot, but I am sure they are here and love the place for many of the same reasons that the rest of us do. And I know that at least some of them support and foster true entrepreneurship. What is built on the property on Blood Lane does not have to be a big-box store if some forward-looking people with money decide something else could provide more permanent and better jobs, could keep any profits in the Valley, and still would not put any more demands on the environment than the approved waste-water permit.
What about a community composting facility or a place to process all the fruit that goes to waste every year in the Valley? What about a facility for making solar panels for use within the community but also beyond? Surely the existing railroad could be fixed up and put to use if someone has a vision. I love the idea of a glass recycling plant, what with Solar Roadways coming along, but that might not work with the given environmental constraints, and the market for recycled glass may not be progressing fast enough to suit the purpose. Maybe we could help things along by manufacturing Solar Roadways? Perhaps someone somewhere needs an efficient storage facility that could blend right into the landscape but still provide enough permanent jobs to make a difference?
The Bitterroot is full of resourceful people, smart people, caring people. What else can we think of that would really improve life in the Bitterroot for everyone, providing solid jobs for those who need them and a real sense of forward-looking accomplishment to those who don’t? What can we all get behind that will improve all of our lives? And are the wealthy willing to share enough to make it happen for their sakes as well as ours?
Some will call that socialism, but labels are often what divide us more than they help us. To me it’s simply sharing, a virtue to all races and religions and a simple win/win. Are there people open and unafraid enough to show that it’s not just a naïve idea? And to think it through better than I can?
Please and thank you!
Mary Fahnestock-Thomas
Hamilton