Revitalization needs parking space

Editor,

I read, with amusement, the news that the Streetscape project will “revitalize” the downtown area by slowing traffic down and encourage people to stop in the downtown to spend money.

Only issue with that idea is lack of parking. No parking spots for the shoppers means that they keep on driving until they find a spot (Wal-Mart?).

Revitalization? How about some 30-minute parking spaces downtown. It is ludicrous to pour $1.6 million into “revitalization” when the downtown area is lacking such a basic necessity as customer parking.

Bob Warner

Kalispell

Editor’s note: Mr. Warner owns retail space in downtown Polson.

War with Iran would be a disastrous mistake

Editor,

The number of influential people who, for the past year and now most recently, have begun speaking out about the truth behind the present Bush presidency is a list too long to enumerate — nor is it necessary to do so here.

The message is: We have an administration of secrecy, severe violation of individual rights, a thumbing the nose at our Constitution, spreading contrived and totally false propaganda — in short, lying — to gain public support for a war whose objective was and is to get control of vast oil reserves, and which is totally ignoring prudent and wise fiscal policies in favor of investing in military domination in the world.

My plea at this moment is this: Please, America, we must stop President Bush from starting a military action against Iran — this (such a war) would be disastrous.

This would be another one of the worst blunders in foreign policy we have ever perpetrated.

We cannot afford to wait 3, 4, 5, and 6 years (or even ‘til the next election), while we stand by, until finally the truth comes out from those closest to the seat of corrupt decision-making.

Actions by our present administration are fast taking our nation down the path of divisiveness, monetary disintegration, social disorder, religious intolerance, and international disgrace.

Is there anything as potent to affect this change as an aligned constituency whose dynamic thoughts and actions are motivated by reason, ethical behavior, love your neighbor as yourself, peace, prosperity, balance, harmony, and religious freedom?

This, in my view, transcends all the campaign rhetoric, all the political posturing, and all the greed-based muscle that any lobby group in Washington can muster.

Bob McClellan

Polson

Skate Ignatius grand opening was really enjoyable

Editor,

On Saturday, Sept. 15, the Skate Ignatius Project celebrated the completion of Phase I of our Skatepark with a big old party in the park. We served free food and drink, had free drawings and tossed loads of great free merchandise to frenzied attendees. It was our way of saying thank you to all who have supported this project to this point. I thank the following sponsors who helped us pull off this event:

The Pepsi Cola Bottling Company, The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Health and Human Services, Mission Mountain Medical Clinic/St. Luke Health Care Network, Ronan Telephone, Dr. Jim Thornton, Bruce’s Heating and Cooling, Edge of the World Skate Shop of Missoula, Premiere Skate Shop of Missoula, Dreamland Skateparks, LLC, Zumiez, Flathead Skate and Snow of Polson, the Town of St. Ignatius, Allied Waste, Able Toilets, Cornerstone Faith Center, Dethbox Skateboard Supply Co. of Sandpoint, Idaho and owner Matt Splatt and his skate squad, the Benjamin News Group, Mission Ambulance, The Malt Shop, Lynn’s II Drive In, The Design Co-op, Costco Wholesale, Rod’s Harvest Foods, and Mother Nature for the picture perfect day.

I extend an extra big thank you to Margene Asay and Cristin Morigeau from Tribal Health for their efforts, KSKC-TV, Jeff Smith and KQRK/KERR radio and the Big 100, The Lake County Leader, the Valley Journal and the Missoulian for all of their coverage of this project.

With a successful Phase I completed it is time to begin the fundraising process for Phase II.

Please check out our web site at www.skateignatius.org and if you can help out, please contact us.

Way to go, everyone!

Kristie Nerby, Skate Ignatius Project Coordinator

This is America’s Constitution Week

Editor,

This week we celebrate one of the single most important events in America’s history, the signing of our Constitution. For more than 200 years, this document has been the tool that has shaped our federal government. As a member of Congress, it’s a great privilege to be able to stand up every two years and swear to uphold its ideals.

This week is Constitution Week, which is a great opportunity to sit down with your kids and tell them about this important document and the rights we have as Americans. These are lessons that should never be forgotten and it’s important we continue to pass them from generation to generation.

However, it’s also critical these lessons extend beyond merely one week per year. America’s unique dedication to freedom was built through a strong, written guide and that guide is as important as ever today.

The framers of our Constitution were able to create a document that has withstood the test of time, and their shadow continues to be a constant presence in the work I’m doing in Washington, DC on behalf of Montana.

This week, let us all pay homage and remember those who first sacrificed in order to give us what we have today.

Denny Rehberg Montana’s Congressman

Why no Safeway ads in Super 1 news stand papers?

Editor,

This is a question for the owner of Super 1:

Why are there no Safeway ads in the Wednesday papers in your store?

I have been checking for many weeks and your papers have no Safeway ads and papers in other stores in town do.

David Hummel

Polson