Hopes board makes right decision
Editor,
When my son was diagnosed with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) nearly three years ago, I took a personal vow to "dive in" and address his needs as well as I could. TSC is a genetic disorder that leaves its victims with absolutely no tumor prevention. My son is now five years old and has 13 tumors in his brain. Although these tumors are benign, they continue to grow and the potential of developing more tumors in any vital organ is a constant threat.
My three youngest children currently attend Linderman Elementary. The support system that my kids have created amongst themselves has been reassuring to my family. My son depends on his two sisters to help others understand what he is saying or signing. Having my children in one school provides a special bonding environment that encourages their social skills to grow as well as setting the example for other students who might not understand my son's condition and his needs associated with it.
I attended and shared this story with nearly 200 people at the school board meeting on May 29. I also witnessed dozens of parents who had their own set of concerns and personal stories. The atmosphere of the meeting was mobilizing. At least 60 parents spoke and I felt confident that the board of trustees would be compassionate towards the many requests of tabling the motion in order to provide the public with information supporting their proposal.
Following the June 6 board meeting, I had a conversation with Theresa Taylor. She said that my situation was different from others and not everyone felt the same way. My situation is different, just as every individual has a different situation. The uniqueness of our community, any community, is its diversity. This diversity should be respected, considered in every major decision and not ever put down.
After all this, I remain hopeful that the board of trustees will seek a meaningful and thoughtful process in revisiting reconfiguration. My hopes include a board, not just going through the motions to satisfy the court or their attorney, but a board process that truly represents the reason why they are serving … to serve their community.
Please do not let your community down.
Julie Berry
Polson
A successful end to a dream
Editor,
In January 2006 Alison Meslin, Jan Phillips and Kristin Osborn had a dream of keeping the Big Arm fire station from being closed. Every resident received a postcard and a telephone call; posters asked for help to renovate the building. Soon there were hundreds concerned residents donated money to the cause.
Renovations are now completed. The fire station has a septic system and running water, kitchen and bathrooms; a major exterior facelift with parking areas, cement walkways, a handicap ramp and beautiful landscaping.
The building is now a fully functioning fire station. This enables Big Arm to have a first response fire fighting team locally available.
Thankfully, several Big Arm residents stepped forward to join the Polson Volunteer Rural Fire Department. They have been training for about 18 months. These volunteers are based in the Big Arm Station.
When a 911 call goes out in the Big Arm area, our volunteers will be the first on the scene, backed up within minutes with all the available men and women and equipment from Station #1 in Polson.
We can rest easier knowing that we have a terrific all-volunteer Rural Fire Department willing and extremely capable of keeping us and our property safe.
On June 30, the Big Arm Association hosted a grand party to celebrate the completion of the renovations and to thank everyone involved. We thanked the Tribe for leasing the land, providing the water and donating a flag. Residents who sent money, or donated materials and those who physically helped to complete the project were honored with plaques. Firefighters past and present were also honored with a plaque. Bill Sergent enhanced the ceremony by playing America the Beautiful on the bagpipes. Steven Small Salmon gave the tribal blessing and sang two songs accompanied by his family on the drums.
We are grateful to the many neighbors that prepared and helped to make the celebration such a success, to the merchants who sent gifts for the raffle, to the artists who attended our first craft show and gave gifts, to Ken Avison whose magic show enthralled both young and old.
Thanks also to all who helped with carnival games; to the Dayton 4H club, Karli and Michelle Mitchell from Elmo, Barb and Marissa Reber who gave pony rides; Linda Althouse and Nita Parks for organizing a successful bake sale and to everyone who baked; to Luella Gomke, Linda Zero and Jan Drye who organized the raffle and to Bob Klawitter, Jim Phillips, Wanelda and Earle Schafer who helped sell tickets; to Paul Maurer and his helper Mary Driscoll who organized and got thoroughly wet in the water wars; to firefighter Ron Friez who organized the burger fry; musical entertainment by The Western Aires, Big ED and No Strings Attached; the neighbors who brought vintage and novelty cars, trucks and tractors; Carol and David Grende for bringing the statue of Sacagawea and everyone who attended our special celebration Thank you for your support.
Alison Meslin
Jan Phillip
Big Arm Association
Mid-East threat cannot be ignored
Editor,
There is the story of the Irishman who was cast upon a desert island. He was helped by the natives and regained consciousness. Hs first question: "Have you a government on this island?"
"Yes, we have a Government."
"Well, I'm agin' it."
That seems to be the prevailing attitude in Washington at present. One side proposes something, the other opposes, even if the proposal is to the benefit of the country. Party apparently comes first, to blazes with the country.
No action taken to fix social security; no action on medical care for the indigent; no action on helping poor people to overcome poverty; no intelligent action on illegal immigration, but lots of action on the firing by the administration of certain lawyers, as if anyone cared.
In England, eight doctors or medical personnel from the Middle East attempted to massacre hundreds of people in the most savage way by bombs and nails. It is one thing for a turbaned tribesman living in the Empty Places, or the mountain vastness of Afghanistan to plan such a massacre. It is quite another when so many members of a honorable profession … dedicated alleviation of disease, pestilence irrespective of creed, color or race, attempt to blow up innocent people. That should tell us how dedicated these radicals are in their philosophy and give us serious warning as to what is in their warped minds.
We saw gross appeasement of Iranians when they captured British sailors and marines. This was claimed as a victory by the radicals throughout the Middle East, and probably led to attempted bombings in Glasgow and London. More recruits to their cause, especially since there was no retribution.
Senator Lieberman states we are already fighting Iran in a proxy war in Iraq. No retribution.
Media blowhards, some senators and congressmen of both parties would have us think that if we retreat from Iraq, everything will be fine. A more likely scenario: We will be viewed as a defeated nation with no backbone when things get tough. We will not be trusted by the stable countries in the Middle East. They may form alliances with Iran, especially if they get the nuclear bomb. Iran may then assume the mantle of Cyrus the Great, as rulers of the Middle East. He was a benevolent ruler. The present leader is not.
The Iranian president threatens to wipe Israel off the map and intimates they will convert all countries, and make them adopt Shari'ah law. No one believed Hitler and his thugs and look what happened: 20 million dead, countries destroyed. He made us aware of his intentions in Mein Kampf, which was ignored until it was too late.
The radicals make us aware of their intentions; we saw what they did on 9/11, in Spain and Britain.
The head of the serpent is in Teheran, the tail lies in Syria, the body lies squirming as Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Palestine and Al Qaeda in Iraq — ready to do the bidding of their paymasters in Iran…
If we continue to appease Iran and Syria, if we continue to ignore the threat, we will all go down history, unwept, unhonored, and unsung by our grandchildren and those yet unborn.
Tom O'Halloran
Polson
Reconfiguration was thought out
Editor,
In recent weeks, statements have been made regarding the actions of the school board in the reconfiguration of the Polson elementary schools. Accusations have been made that the trustees violated District policies, Montana Code, and that the public was "completely" left out of the process.
Vague accusations are always easy to make and can be hard to defend; however, these accusations are just plain false.
Policies, as well as the letter and intent of the law were followed, and there have been volumes of public comments received on this topic, both verbally and in writing — all documented in the District office.
Now, it has been suggested that the board send home the attorneys so that this issue can be worked out.
This suggestion seems a bit ironic to us since it comes from one of the parties who brought the attorneys in to begin with. The school board is the defendant in this case. There was no "offer" for mediation. The order came from Judge Harkin to bring both parties to the table to talk.
We also thought a settlement could be reached in the best interest of the community; instead, the plaintiffs insisted on an illegal clause and a demand that would have violated District policy — for their benefit.
We agree with the plaintiffs that this was disheartening, and we also agree that taxpayer dollars should be spent on students and educational programs and not on litigation. Unfortunately, the plaintiffs have prevented that from happening in this case and have, as part of the lawsuit, asked for their attorney fees to be paid by the district, at the taxpayer's expense.
Contrary to many statements made, we believe that this is all about the reconfiguration of the elementary schools. No litigation has been filed regarding the implementation of all-day kindergarten — an action that was taken at the same time, and in the same way as the reconfiguration.
The reality is that a group of parents disagree with the decision that was made. We understand that, and believe that they have a right to disagree with us. We also understand that every member of our staff or community may not agree with every decision that we make.
We were elected to represent the whole community and to make decisions that are in the best interest of all of the students in this District as well as the taxpayers we serve.
The trustees do not have the luxury of looking at how decisions impact only our children; instead, we must look at how our decisions affect all of our children. That is the standard, obligation, and duty we were elected to uphold. We believe that we have done that and that belief was reflected in a unanimous decision on May 29.
At 6 p.m. today (Thursday, July 12), at the Linderman Gym, we will again bring this topic to the community and we again encourage public participation in the process.
Theresa Taylor
Elke Allik
Vernon Finley
Polson School Trustees