Utility bills arrive too early
Editor,
I have noticed with the apparent slack in the economy utility companies and others are sending their bills earlier and earlier, long before they are due; bills which aren’t due for weeks are on my doorstep and have to be paid, or put away.
Recently, I had to argue with Mission Valley who couldn’t answer their phone for hours in order to pay my bill, then penalized me for not paying on time.
It appears companies are looking for loans on their own bills from their Polson customers. I wish we could have the bill sent no earlier than a week. It is a scam.
Mike Donohue
Polson
Caucus proposal is a bad idea
Editor,
The plan of the Montana State Republican Central Committee to deny statewide Republicans the opportunity to select Montana’s Republican nominee for President is without merit. In fact, this Orwellian idea that the democratic process can be better accomplished by less than 3,000 party officials and Republican office holders is downright frightening.
Worse, in addition to disenfranchising over 102,000 loyal Montana Republicans from the voting process, ponder this very possible scenario under the proposed plan: In February of next year, Republican candidate A narrowly defeats Republican candidate B in the proposed Republican caucus. Thus, Montana’s delegates to the Republican National Convention would be pledged to vote for Republican candidate A during the Republican National Convention scheduled for Sept. 1-4, 2008.
Nonetheless, before that happens, both candidates file as Republican candidates (as allowed under Montana’s election laws) for the statewide primary scheduled for June 3, 2008. Either because state-wide Republicans disagreed with the caucus choice in the first place, or due to information made public during the period between the February caucus and the June primary, Republican candidate B wins the primary.
No matter, under the plan being proposed, Montana’s delegates would still be required to vote for candidate A at the Republican National Convention — voters “be damned.” We would look like fools on a national scale — and undemocratic fools at that.
Call Republican party headquarters in Helena (406-442-6469) and register your objections to this idea that fails the common sense test. They plan to lay this brick on Saturday, Aug. 25 — so it is not too late.
Don Loranger
Bigfork
Suicide prevention meetings needed
Editor,
Two recent suicides have sent shock waves through our community. We all look for reasons and for answers, all the while dealing with our various emotions. Somehow it all does not seem to make sense, and it even seems unreal at times.
These suicides happened just before I left on a three week trip back to the midwest to visit my two brothers and my sister and their families. But all the while when there, our community of Polson was on my mind. I was wondering how people were handling these events.
I talked with many at the Wisconsin and Illinois family gatherings about these suicides and, of course, heard many tales of similar events in their communities.
My years of living this life have impressed upon me the fact that in order to solve any problem in my personal life I must be willing to get to the root cause, the real source of the problem. I also have learned, often the hard way, that this is not so easy to do. There is resistance. There is fear. There is anger. There is arrogance. There is an unwillingness to open up and be honest with myself. There is lack of communication. There are many roadblocks put up to getting at root causes.
I have been giving this a lot of thought. I am quite sure that this community is soon going to be hearing about some public meetings, group dialogues, healing circles, and gatherings using these recent tragedies as opportunities for some positive action. I intend to be involved in this.
We often hear this for our fallen soldiers in war: “Let it be known that they did not die in vain.”
I submit that our “internal, private wars” are no different. “Let it be known that Matthew and Randy did not die in vain.”
Out of the ashes of despair and confusion, let us rise up and take a fresh and honest look at our lives, our challenges, our problems, and our fears.
Bob McClellan
Polson
Festival Days dinner was great
Editor,
The Marine Corps League, Hellroaring Detachment, extends sincere thanks to Brenda Jones (Fairgrounds), Jim Sohm, Chamber of Commerce, Super 1 and all the people who helped make the Festival Days concert dinner such a success! We had a great time!
And to those of you who waited in the long lines for your dinner, we thank you for your patience.
Mauri Morin
Commandant
Marine Corps League
Hellroaring Detachment
Polson
Don’t take these things for granted
Editor,
As we have arrived at the “Dog Days of Summer,” I find myself reflecting on what is so great about Polson. I would like to mention just a few of the things we too often take for granted.
First and foremost, large thank you to those firefighters who have stepped to the fore during what has been and what will be a busy fire season. Can you imagine the discomfort those valiant people experience in the fire resistant clothing or turnouts? In addition to the temperature recently being in the 90s, they charge forth (safely) into the heat of the battle.
Be you one of our local or neighboring volunteer firefighters or one of the seasonal, know we have tremendous respect for the job you do in such torrid conditions.
How about those Mariners taking State?
And congratulations to the Polson Lady Pirates for their victory earlier this summer.
To the city, county and state road maintenance crews, thanks to you for all you do with the very limited funds. Given the weather of late, it is hard to relate to the winner driving conditions just around the corner. We know you will be there. You always are.
The Polson Business Association and Chamber members plus other business folks — thank you for all you do. Our community owes you a debt of gratitude for helping make Polson such a special place.
Thanks to Mission Valley Power and CenturyTel for your community service given several times a year changing banners with the seasons on the light and power poles.
Tanks to the bus drivers and attendants who deliver our most precious assets for the future to our outstanding Polson schools,
Thanks to Lake County Search and Rescue for responding quickly and efficiently to each call you receive. Congratulations for your new rescue watercraft. Thanks, voters, for passing the search and rescue levy. It spoke volumes to the volunteers.
Thanks to the family of the late Denny Silgen for spearheading the effort to find the boat.
I will close for now, but I will return with more recognition for those who we often take for grated, but to whom we always should be thankful.
Yes, life is great on our Flathead Lake.
Doug Chase
Polson Police Chief
Why have the
planning board?
Editor
If the designation of land use is going to be changed every few years, we might as well discontinue the planning board.
I can see where the city council is greedily looking at the tax revenue from the Super Wal-Mart. This is too much like eminent domain.
Will the residents next to it be reimbursed for the devalue done to their homes and area?
Herb Sorensen
Polson