But for the actions of a few

I am appalled by the City of Libby’s decision—led by City Administrator Sam Sikes and Mayor Peggy Williams—to close the public bathroom at Fireman’s Park in response to vandalism. 

Rather than addressing the problem directly, they’ve chosen the laziest, most punitive option available: denying everyone access to a basic public service because they can’t or won’t do the work of solving the issue.

This restroom exists because of donations and the hard work of our community members who wanted Fireman’s Park to be welcoming and accessible to all. Shutting it down is a slap in the face to everyone who contributed time, money, and effort to make sure there was a public bathroom available in the first place.

There’s an old poem about a town debating whether to build a fence at the top of a cliff or simply keep an ambulance waiting in the valley below. The poem argues that it’s wiser, cheaper and more responsible to prevent harm than to deal with the consequences after the fact. In this case, Libby’s leadership hasn’t even bothered with the ambulance—they’ve just put up a barrier and told the community to stay away.

Fireman’s Park is meant to serve everyone in our town: families with children, seniors, travelers and local residents. Closing the bathroom makes the park less usable, less safe and less welcoming. If vandalism is the problem, then deal with it. Install lighting and cameras. Add timed locks. Increase patrols. Do the work of governing rather than punishing the entire community for the actions of a few.

I urge Sam Sikes and Mayor Williams to stop treating Libby residents like a nuisance to be managed and start treating us like the citizens they serve. Reopen the restroom—and do it the right way.

Sincerely,

Zach McNew, Libby