Golf season rates are discriminatory

Editor,

I am disheartened the Polson City Council has declared me and others of my kind second class citizens.

What kind are we? We live in what is considered Polson by other government agencies; our kids likely attend Polson schools; our families belong to Polson churches; we vote on bond and tax issues that support local law enforcement/schools/community agencies; we spend our money mostly in Polson businesses and select local services; we donate time and funds to support local events and charities.

A large number of us do this on a year round basis, by choice. Our crime: We like to play golf but don't own property within the defined city limits. Across the street isn't good enough; a mile or two up or down the road isn't good enough; renting business space in town isn't good enough.

Our landlord or neighbor's annual golf fee went up about 3 percent this year; ours went up about 12 percent.

This is so because the small, short sighted council holds only someone who owns property within the city limits deserves the discounted "in-city" rate. I favor and have advocated for a rate discrimination based on where one lives. It is used by many courses throughout the valley, the state and across the nation. It is discrimination but it is not based on any protected criteria. But why does the Polson council insist on being the only entity I know that is so restrictive. Most other policies recognize the importance of the surrounding community to the city's welfare. Our council is less insightful.

Roger Wallace may not have recognized the impact this seemingly small event could have. The golf board is not to blame for their role is to remain impotent of independent thought. The City Council members, past and present are to blame. They choose to remain acting managers of the course and so this decision was and remains theirs.

They cannot claim ignorance of this fact without admitting irresponsibility to the attention their position demands. And those seeking reelection based on their prior membership have this on their record as well.

I cannot vote in city elections. I can vote on bond and tax issues.

I can choose where I will spend my dollars and if I am not welcome locally I too will be selfish and choose the lower prices of nearby box stores more often.

I will continue to play golf, so I will pay the additional fees I am assessed. However, I will have less money, and now less inclination, to contribute to an economy where I am less appreciated.

Apparently it is only when more in-city people feel the ripple effect of this seemingly small event will there be enough force to make this policy more appropriate.

Rich Bell

Polson

Put the hunting issue to rest

Editor,

Last week's Word on the Street asked, "Should non-tribal members be allowed to hunt big game on the reservation?"

Irrespective of the various answers, I really don't think this is something we need to revisit.

In 1997, Sandra Shook challenged the current State -Tribal agreement closing all big game hunting to non-tribal members on all Montana Indian reservations. Shook purposely killed a deer on the reservation, then appealed her conviction in part on the grounds that closure to hunting was an unconstitutional violation of equal protection — as it distinguishes between tribal and non-tribal on the basis of race.

Because Tribal membership has always been properly, and legally, defined as a political distinction, not a racial one, the U.S. treated with a "people" (not a race), she lost the appeal in District Court. Shook then appealed to the State Supreme Court and subsequently lost that appeal as well.

Residents need to be reminded that this land — all of it — is a sovereign tribal entity and meets the legal definition of "Indian Country;" it is not the state of Montana.

The Hell Gate Treaty is still the law of the land and Indian treaty rights, supported by extensive federal Indian law, are still very much in effect.

Many do not understand that the powers of state law do not automatically follow non-tribal members onto the reservation.

As a result of many jurisdictional problems with respect to wildlife, the state and tribes developed a working cooperative management agreement that prohibits the hunting of indigenous mammals and birds — which happens to include big game — by non-members.

But it does allow the harvesting of non-indigenous game birds with a state-tribal permit.

Requiring non-members to leave Indian Country to harvest big game is not an unreasonable mandate and the issue should be put to rest.

W. Bennington

Polson

Editor's note: I agree wholeheartedly with everything Mr. Bennington wrote, but was curious as to how other people felt about the issue. I was hoping more Tribal members would have a chance to answer the question, especially if you look at hunting as a game management tool, like I do, but that didn't end up being the case. Unfortunately, some people took the question to mean that the Leader was advocating that non-Tribal members simply ignore existing hunting restrictions. That wasn't our intention.

A wolf in sheep's clothing

Editor,

As a mother I feel I must write this letter to let all parents know what can happen to your child in a matter of minutes.

Halloween night, my 11-year-old son was very excited to go to the Pumpkin Bash held at the Polson high school.

We had to do some chores at home before we could go, so by the time we got to the party it was 7:20. The party got over at 8, so I dropped my son off, told him to have a great time, and ran to the store.

When I got back to the school, I waited a bit before he came out. When he got in the car, the same happy-faced boy I dropped off 40 minutes earlier was extremely devastated. I asked what happened. He didn't want to tell me, and begged me to go home. I wouldn't leave until I knew what had happened, and he finally told me.

There was a man at the party that was dressed as Moses. He was handing out prizes to groups of kids. My son wanted one and asked if he could have one. The man said he could, but first he has to do one thing. He held out a card and told him to put his finger on it. If it turns green, it means you are a good kid. Of course, it didn't turn green.

The man, who I later found out is Tom Lipko, proceeded to tell my son that it didn't turn green because my son is a bad kid, and that my son is going to hell, unless he starts going to his church. He also told my son that he would like him to meet his son, because he is a "good kid" and he goes to church all the time.

By then I was furious and went into the school to find Mr. Lipko. I told him what my son told me and how devastated my son was.

He said my son took it all out of context and that, yes he would like my son to meet his "good son."

You don't even know my child, Mr. Lipko. You don't know that he has six peacemaker awards hanging on his wall, that he has many achievment awards from 4-H, or that he sticks up for children that are picked on at school, or that his father and I get many compliments about his behavior.

So, Mr. Lipko you are the liar. You dressed yourself as someone you're not to get into my child's head. You devastated him and turned what was supposed to be fun into something very scary to a young child. I'm sure God is impressed.

The sad thing is you did this to at least two little girls last year, and I heard your speech had the same effect on them. I hope you're happy.

I talked to the people at the high school and they said they have nothing to do with the party, that it is put on by the New Life Christian Church. I then called them, and talked to someone in charge there. He was very caring and nice and said that Mr. Lipko is a member of a different church, and that they have had this problem with him before, but they cannot keep him away from the party. So I guess you have free rein to devastate children every year in God's name.

Parents, please tell your children to avoid this wolf in sheep's clothing so they don't feel how my child feels now.

I must emphasize that the high school and the New Life Christian Church have nothing to do with this man's actions, and that he acts on his own.

Mr. Lipko, don't try to talk to me or my son again, we are not interested in anything you have to say.

Dora McDonald

Niarada

Editor's note: We spoke with Mr. Lipko, and he confirmed talking with Ms. McDonald's son about the Ten Commandments and the concepts of heaven and hell, but says he didn't mean to upset her son, and that some of his discussion with her son was taken out of context. Mr. Lipko acknowledged that he's received complaints about this in the past, but said he feels it's important to share the Word of God with everyone, including children.

Lack of school bus service is hardship

Editor,

I'm writing about the school bus system in Ronan. I live on the outer region of town, toward the south. There are no other houses between me and Harvest Foods.

I lobbied for three years to get a bus in the area. Last year, the school board finally voted to get us a bus. This year, on Oct. 31, they informed us they would no longer provide any buses inside the city limits. Now I'm a home owner and a taxpayer and I also work from 5:45 in the morning until 6:15 at night. I'm a single parent without any extended family in the area. I have no way to get my daughter to or from school.

The after school program is full. The one day care where she could get a ride home won't take her. None of my neighbors can help. When I was growing up I rode the bus and I had to walk to the bus stop. But I did not have to cross Highway 93 without a crossing guard and I did not have to cross Round Butte Road or 4th Ave. NW, where the teenagers are driving to school.

Our kids are not allowed to walk from the elementary school to the middle school, but they are allowed to walk home through the busiest intersections and the child molesters. There are seven registered sex offenders about this area on the way to school. My daughter cannot walk to school by herself. What kind of parent would deliberately put their child in harm's way?

The school board needs to come up with a better solution than getting rid of the buses. Especially when the school is not situated in the middle of town but on the north edge.

The letter they sent home states the following reasons for their decision:

? The inability to ascertain safe pick-up zones

? The increased number of near misses of vehicles and students to the proximity of the existing four pick-up zones

? The inability of the school district to meet all requests for more pick-up zones

What good is a bigger and better school if the children cannot get there?

As for the children who do not behave at the bus stops, warn them and if it continues to happen, talk to their parents and then punish them — not the rest of the students who want to get to school.

When we moved here I wrote a letter asking if someone could help me get my daughter to school. I sent it home with every kindergartner in the school and not one person responded. I even offered to pay for their time.

I have no choice but to pull my daughter from school and home school her, which is a shame because she loves school and does very well in school.

The next school board meeting is Nov. 12 and there is another one Dec. 14. All parents who want to voice their concerns and opinions should go and let them know you are unhappy with their decision, and demand they come up with a better solution. Besides, where would they be without our children, the most precious things on Earth?

Cheryl Woirhaye

Ronan

Polson Food Pantry's Great Opportunity

Editor,

The Polson Loaves and Fish Food Pantry has a great opportunity to capture significant "match" money from Town Pump — $5,000 — to help support its food outreach activities and improve its facilities. The Pantry needs donations from individuals, businesses, and service groups to realize the "match" money that is being offered.

This program has already begun and runs through Nov. 30. Please make your tax deductible donations payable to: Polson Loaves & Fishes Pantry. They may be mailed to 10 Eighth Avenue East, Polson, MT 59860 or dropped off at the Pantry (same address) on Tuesdays or Fridays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Checks may also be dropped off at the Town Pump on Highway 93 in Polson.

The Pantry serves over 100 families a month with strictly volunteer personnel. What a wonderful and fulfilling way to "lend a helping hand" to those in our community who need some help.

Sid Rundell

Big Arm

Board Member

Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry