The Big Arm Association thankful to School Trustees
The Big Arm Association is thankful to the Polson District 23 School Trustees for their diligence and cooperation in designing a 5 year renewable lease that not only looks after school districts interests but will allow the Association to begin the process of restoring the historic school in Big Arm.
Now a new era begins and we look forward to protecting and preserving this wonderful piece of local history. The next phase will be scheduling a workshop with the Montana Preservation Alliance and the National Trust for Historic Properties who will help guide the Association as we start the fund raising and planning for the restoration work.
This exciting restoration project will benefit all the people of Lake County but especially the children who will be able, when the school is completed, to have a glimpse into school life almost one hundred years ago. The Big Arm community will be able to preserve the last remnant of the original settlement and once again the school will become an integral part of the village.
This project is to preserve a wonderful slice of local history and we encourage everyone to join us in this venture. We promise to keep residents apprised of our progress and if anyone would like to help in anyway please call us at 849-6628.
The Big Arm Association
What do you really enjoy about Lake County?
And why do many people complain about the traffic
in Kalispell and Missoula. Isn't it the relative peace here? Isn't it the beauty of our surroundings? Maybe you think buildings are more beautiful then nature. I admit that I think the natural beauty available to us here in Lake County is priceless.
Lake County is going to grow. We will certainly not be able to keep it just the way it is. The Lake County Density Map and Regulations is not a perfect document and it provides for review. I suggest that we begin now to study the effects of the Density Map so we can participate more fully in the 2010 review. To abolish the Density Map & regulations at this time would be counter productive.
Suzanne Luepke
Polson
I am so very frustrated. Rick and I take great pride in the maintenance and appearance of our home on 12th Ave. Friday night Aug 8th someone came into our yard and took our Glazing ball and Pedestal. It will have no value to anyone but us. I would appreciate if they would please return it, you can return in the dark, just like you took it and all will be forgotten.
It is a shame you cannot enjoy your yard with your personal belongings without the worry of someone taking what does not belong to them.
Rick & Cheryl Rathbun
Polson
Thank you for the pre-coverage of our annual live history day weekend at the Miracle of America Museum. Many families and first time local visitors added to the success of the activities. A special thank you to reporter Lyndsie Conklin for her participating in and reporting "a slice of history". A slight correctoin is needed in the the paragraph about the museum's motorcycle collection. Instead of 300, the actual count of vintage/antique motorcycles on display numbers 50+ with over 3,000 pieces of cycling memorabilia. The 1941 Indian 4 cylinder is the latest restoration project that I had just placed on display that morning, although, I'm still waiting on a few parts from the chrome platers. Restoration started last winter by stripping it down to the bare frame. While far from the rarest in the collection, this model is considered by bikers from around the world to be the most beautiful.
A big thank you to the many cooperative people and businesses in the valley for your help in making last weekend one to remember.
Gil Mangels, Museum Founder
Polson
America stands now at a crossroads, facing its most critical economic threats since the Great Depression. We desperately need to change course and restore the integrity of our political system, constitutional law, economic justice and fundamental faith among American citizens that they are still the source of all government power.
As a native Montanan who has watched the deterioration of the working class?s lot over five decades, I long ago pretty much abandoned hope in Washington, D.C., and the two-party system. But this year?s presidential campaign and the hope and vision offered by Sen. Barack Obama has stirred my enthusiasm more than any campaign in my lifetime.
Obama offers not only hope, but a keen insight into the heart of the true American Dream and how it has increasingly left many Americans far behind. He knows poverty, he knows the virtues of hard work and success, and his background as an African American raised by a white mother and her parents provides a great insight into our culture ? one long missing in an administration smacking of wealth, elitism and a total disconnect with working class reality.
Obama faces challenges never before experienced by a presidential candidate. To some, he is ?too black?; to others, he is ?too white.? Yet this profoundly bright and inspirational American has an opportunity like none before him to bridge the divisiveness of the past and unite Americans of diverse backgrounds in a moment of unique opportunity.
Montanans who tire of excessive economic disparity and being ignored by the corporate-dominated Beltway mentality should embrace this opportunity and reject the cynical politics of fear and division that some would continue to perpetrate on working class citizens.
I urge my fellow Montanans to embrace this rare chance to elect a man who demonstrates historical presence, intellectual integrity and a truly American vision of the future. Unlike his opponent, who hasn?t come to Montana once during this campaign, Barack Obama has been here four times already.
Montanans, and all working class Americans, cannot afford to let this opportunity for positive change pass us by. Four more years of the same would be a disaster this country cannot survive.
Robert L. Phillips
St. Ignatius
Having just returned from almost a monthswing through the midwest, visiting Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois, I can report that just about the same political confusion and lack of coherence in peoples minds exists back there as out here.
For example: Everywhere I go I ask; "What do you think is the real difference between the Republican party and the Democratic party?" And the answers I get confirm my belief that our political system is so muddled and fraught with greed and special interest big money control that party platforms and direction are practically non-existent and not understood by the voting public.
So, the question remains: How is one to make up ones mind on how to vote in the upcoming presidential election?
It seems to me, with the great frustration I hear from all my friends and family during my swing through the midwest, that the answer is no different there than out here in beautiful and largely unspoiled Montana: "In order to begin to repair our great nations infrastructure, global reputation, educational system, health-care system, economic downward slide, and the myriad of other problems, sweeping changes are in order."
Change in institutions and outer conditions cannot occur until there is a fundamental change in attitudes, a change of heart, a change of mind. True change requires this. Otherwise it is simply temporary window-dressing over fundamentally flawed, selfish-interest programs and policies.
This level of change requires something from each of us. The feeling that change is great as long as I don't have to change does not work anymore. The feeling of let the other guy do it, it is not going to affect me anyway, does not work anymore. Leaving it up to our children and grandchildren does not work anymore either.
The time is NOW! The only time we have. It seems to me that this is the perfect time to step up to the plate and commit to becoming an advocate for "values change in America" in whatever way feels right for each of us.
Bob McClellan
Polson
About the currently surfacing idea of writing in Ron Paul for President in November: From what I know of Dr. Paul, he is a highly principled, sincere politician. I think he is the last person who would want to be a spoiler in the upcoming election. Anyone who calls himself or herself a Republican and writes in Ron Paul is essentially voting against John McCain and for Barack Obama. Not a good choice in my opinion.
Carol Cummings
Polson
Losing a loved one is never easy and often very painful. With the passing of our mother, Bernice Mix, we experienced some real compassion and thoughtfulness during this time of grief. The directors of Grogan Funeral Home, Ron Grogan and Tom Jones took care of so many details with such professionalism and dignity that we cannot thank them enough. Polson is very fortunate to have their services. Also many thanks to the Polson Police Dept. for their escort to the cemetery. Our families will be forever grateful to all of you.
Jerry and Pat Fisher
Polson
There is a portion of the Bible I wold like to share with my neighbors. It is very intrigueing and right to the point. I cannot quote it here, because there is not enough space. Therefore, I will simply refer to the main points. It is the third chapter of Second Peter:
1. "Scoffers will come in the last days saying, 'Where is the promise of His coming?'
Even some religious people do not actually believe that Jesus Christ will literally return to the earth.
2. "They deliberately forget that God made the heavens and earth…by the word of His command."
Darwinian evolutionists tell us that Intelligent Design is only the appearance of what seems to be an orderly design…that it is only a cosmic accident.
3. "…. God used water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood."
Modern science tells us that this is not so, that it is the result of an ice age and glacial drift.
4. "By the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire…being kept for the day of judgement…that on that day, He will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat."
They used to say that this could not happen because the earth is made up of two-thirds water. I wonder if in the light of possibly soon-coming nuclear warfare, people are still thinking this way? The Apostle Peter sums this up by saying, "He (God) does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent."
Vern Hicks
Ronan