Letter: Loggers won't be changed to Eagles

Dear Editor:

I think it is time for me to respond to a question I am frequently asked: “Are they changing the name Libby Loggers to Libby Eagles?”

The answer is a definite and unqualified, “no.”

Because I am the person who has designed and built many of the eagles around town, I think it is important to respond to this absurd misconception and provide the facts about the community eagle project.

I was raised by Libby Loggers as a Libby Logger and I will always be a Libby Logger. Logging will always be significant to Libby’s heritage – my family is not alone in being proud of that heritage. I would be the first to personally fight the ridiculous idea of making us “Libby Eagles.”

Whoever has spread these rumors must have hidden agendas. Let me assure you that in all my years as a local welder and art teacher, I have helped design and build far more Logger art than eagle art.

To date, the city of Libby has spent a grand total of $5,000 on only one of the eagles in and around Libby. Individuals, businesses or state grant monies have purchased the other eagles. I am not sure why anyone would say otherwise.

No question that the Libby economy is struggling without logging as our primary industry. As far as I am concerned, whatever we can do to keep Libby prosperous so that our children can grow up here and possibly come back to live is vital. The need for perhaps attracting viable industries to Libby was the reason the catch phrase, “City of Eagles” was born.

No matter what changes may occur to Libby’s economics, Libby Loggers will always be Libby Loggers. We owe it to the men and women who built this town.

Todd Berget

Libby