Golf course a 'private playground'
Editor's note: Mr. Kalinyaprak intends to submit three letters on the golf course addressing ownership, membership and fees.
Editor,
While offering opposing views, both Richard Bell and Ron Hone had previously stated in their letters that the golf course is not a tax burden on the city. Now Bob McClellan states once again that while no tax money goes to the golf course, it's a great asset that benefits the city, its citizens and local businesses.
Neither argument is quite correct and there is also a not-so-bright side of the story. Technically speaking "tax money" may not be going to the course. But the land and improvements belong to the city and its citizens. By allowing the golf course free usage of those assets, they are in effect subsidizing the golf course, forfeiting any revenues those assets could otherwise be generating for them.
To help you visualize this better, the 229.8 acres of the golf course divided by 5,000 (citizens of Polson) works out to be about 1/20 of an acre or about 1/3 of a city lot. This is like each citizen allowing the golf course to build a practice green in his backyard, cut the grass using his lawnmower and store golf carts in his garage, while being covered by his home owner's insurance. Parks being mowed with golf course equipment and labor is a benefit to the city. On the other hand, golf course doesn't have to carry a separate insurance because it's covered under city's policy. The city owns and operates a hard liquor license for the benefit of the golf course which doesn't have to carry a liquor insurance either because that's also covered under the city's policy.
I don't know about all the benefits exchanged and their respective values but it's apparent to me that Polson citizens are directly or indirectly subsidizing the golf course at an unknown extent. In return, the golf course should at least try to make golf affordable for them and also residents of surrounding areas who contribute to Polson's economy year around.
The golf course's mission statement reads: "To provide an affordable top quality golf experience through superior playing conditions and customer service for the citizens of Polson and their guests." Unfortunately, the golf course seems far from being able to fulfill this mission. Between 2000 and 2008, Polson's population increased by about 25 percent, from 4,041 to an estimate of over 5,000.
During the same period, adult membership at Polson golf course dropped by about 45 percent, steadily declining every year, from 1,039 to the current estimate of 580. This is mind boggling. Over the years, golf course's revenue hasn't even kept up with inflation but hasn't gone down either because some people who could no longer afford yearly passes may have bought punch cards instead and the ones who could afford them kept buying yearly passes at fast increasing prices.
Personally, I sense an attitude of "if they can't afford yearly passes, let them eat cake" and it greatly bothers me that Polson golf course has practically become a private playground for an ever-shrinking elite few subsidized by the public.
Hopefully the city will start listening to concerned citizens and steer in a better direction. I invite everybody to contribute their facts and figures, or corrections to mine, as well as their opinions.
Murat Kalinyaprak
Polson
Quit saying we don't care
Editor:
The school district has been using the argument that they have to set levies before the state finalizes it's budget, so they don't know how much money they are actually going to get from the state. (That is still us.) Some how this doesn't seem right to me.
That makes us, the tax payers, pretty dumb for voting for whatever the district says they should have. And it is always the highest levy allowed by law. Would anyone else like to see what the district is getting before we were told we have to vote on it? Why is it set up this way?
For once, the mil levies didn't pass so someone thinks we no longer care about the children and the future. Well, have these same people noticed the price of gas, food, car and home insurance, health care costs? Here are the choices we have to make on a daily basis. Let's see, food and gas or vote for higher taxes? Hmmmm. So, get over your shock and deal with it, like the rest of us have to do. And quit saying that we don't care!
Frances Reid
Polson
Supporting Juneau
Editor,
I am supporting Denise Juneau for the Superintendent of Public Instruction because she is experienced and knows and understands the issues. Denise is and educator, attorney and currently a Division Administrator at the Office of Public Instruction. Her experience is what our state educational system needs as Montana moves forward.
The No Child Left Behind Law will soon be rewritten by Congress and the changes should reflect the education needs of Montana. Denise believes that the education system should be accountable; however, she knows that the punitive measures in NCLB are not the answer. As the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Denise will have an opportunity to advocate to Congress about changes that will benefit Montana and address the lack of full funding for NCLB in order to fulfill its mandates.
Please visit Denise's website at http://www.juneauforkids.com to learn more about her and her position on the issues. I think that you will agree that Denise is the candidate to lead Montana's educational system. Remember to vote Juneau in June!
Carmen Taylor
Polson
Clinton has specific plans
Editor,
[Hillary] Clinton understands the government-to-government trust relationship. She supports native leadership and has proposed elevating the director of the IHS to the Assistant Secretary level. She has an initiative to train and fund 1,000 new American Indian teachers. Hillary plans to increase funding for the Housing Block Grant and improve other native housing acts realizing that our housing is substandard. Hillary has also proposed to fully fund Head Start, specifically to support children learning their native languages.
President Clinton was good to Indian Country during his two terms. Hillary has real and specific plans ton continue and build on this record of success.
Louise Stasso
Arlee
Obama brings civility, honesty
Editor:
A curious thing happened the other day after golf, when a bunch of us guys were sitting around reflecting on the day, and the talk turned a bit political, which is not unusual for us. One of my golfing buddies looked over at me and said with some passion something like this: "You know, Bob, nobody reads or cares about your letters to the editor."
This surprised me, and as we often do, I immediately went into the defensive mode. This, of course, did not help the situation. It played out with us and as always in the end we affirmed that regardless of our politics our deep and abiding friendships are the most important thing and will always be so. But this did get me to thinking later. Why would anyone seriously think and then say such a strange thing?
For sure, when I express opinions about political matters there are many, many people, often friends of mine, who heartily disagree with my position on things. And that is to be expected. Then it hit me. This comment about no one reading or caring about my letters to the editor is very reflective of the very sort of closed minds so many of us have to ideas which run counter to our own. We simply do not want to even hear about those ideas. We reject them, out of hand.
This reluctance to engage in thoughtful dialogue, not listening to each other, and avoiding trying to find common ground from which to build something worthwhile seems to be quite endemic especially in the field of politics. And in this little episode in my life, right here in Polson, so reflects the same frustrations in our national political campaign that cause people to say outlandish things about the so-called opposition, just looking for ways to tear each other down. This is why I believe so strongly in Barack Obama's reasons for entering the race for president of these United States, to attempt to bring civility, honesty, integrity, and a sense of fairness to not only this campaign but to the foundations of policies and programs for which he will consistently strive when occupying the oval office in the White House.
"YES WE CAN!!"
Bob McClellan
Polson
Don't forget June 3
Editor:
I would like to remind everyone to vote on June 3. Remember there are two candidates for the Democrats and two for the Republicans and your third party candidates running for president.
Please do not vote for Clinton because you think a woman should be in the White House. Do not vote for Obama because you think it is time an African American should be in the White House.
And as for McCain, if you think the war should last forever [that] doesn't mean he should be your choice. We have no business being in other countries telling them what to do. If they set up a base here we would not tolerate it. Why should they?
That money could be helping our country. We have disasters here right now! You need to learn about all the candidates, their voting records. Are they really telling the truth when they speak, do they keep changing their minds, are they someone that will help America?
Now don't forget I said two Republicans — yes Dr. Ron Paul is still in the race. If you have not heard his message you must before June 3. Visit RonPaul2008.com. If you do not have a computer go to the library. If you want information, call me 883-2910.
We need to wake up and put someone in the White House that has been telling the truth since the beginning of the election, will do what they say and cares about the American people. That person is Ron Paul. Who is Ron Paul? A CONSERVATIVE-CONSTITUTION MAN! Please check him out at his many websites, and youtube.com. He is all over the internet.
He didn't get the chance to speak at the debates because of his message [but] thanks to the internet you can learn all about him. Don't let people tell you your vote doesn't count — IT DOES! I used to feel that way but I still voted. I never believed in political parties. I felt we should work as one to help our country together. But I have gotten involved this past year and feel you must to help make a change and get our country back on track. Do you want the government running your life forever? Do you feel free? I don't! So please check out Dr. Ron Paul for president and vote on June 3! We want the next four years to be for our country, don't we?
Kelly Bailey
Polson
Food pantry appreciates support
Editor:
The Polson Food Pantry Loaves and Fish is truly blessed by the many facets of support it receives from our Polson Community.
At the Pantry's last board meeting, Bob Strong, our long time and trusted pick-up man, indicated he was ready to retire from his 6-day a week routine. In addition he offered to donate his pickup truck to the Pantry which was readily accepted!
Knowing the Pantry would soon be without Bob's able services, we sent out an "SOS" to local volunteer organizations and without hesitation the Knights of Columbus (K of C) Grand Knight will lead a team of pick up folks that will attempt to fill Bob's "big shoes." We thank Bob Strong for his many years of faithful service to the Pantry and its many clients.
Recently, the U.S. Postal Service sponsored its yearly "food drive" to assist local food pantries. Many people in our local community may not recognize the extra burden this places on the individual mail carriers. The Polson Food Pantry and its many clients greatly appreciate the extra effort put forth by the USPS employees to offer a helping hand to those folks in need. Thank you Postal Service employees!
Another way the Pantry benefits from our local community is through the daily excess inventory and/or dated products it receives from our local food stores, Safeway and Super 1. In today's rising cost-of-living environment, all responsible donations are gladly accepted.
The Polson Food Pantry truly appreciates ALL the help it receives from the caring Polson community! Without your help and the help of our volunteers, it couldn't lend a helping hand to those in need!
The Pantry is open Tuesdays and Fridays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to provide emergency or supplemental food assistance to folks in the Polson area who need help. We are always in need of volunteers who desire to give something back to our community. Serving as a volunteer at the Pantry is truly a rewarding experience!
Gerrie Boyle
Operations Director
Polson Food Pantry
All deserve to live
Editor,
If the Personhood Amendment, CI-100, is enacted, it will restore respect and provide effective legal protection for all human beings from the moment of conception to natural death. This includes the elderly, infirmed, disabled, and all stages of human dependency and vulnerability.The value of a person's life does not hinge on whether or not they are wanted by their parents, immediate caretaker, or whomever. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is the basic right of all people, regardless of what anyone's opinion may be of them, the economic hardships of life, or any other reasoning.
Today it seems we must spell out what it means to be a person, thus the reason for the proposed initiative.
If you value your own liberty, please put down your signature to make sure that everyone else's liberty is protected as well as yours. No one should have to fall through the cracks.
When all human beings are recognized as valuable from the moment of conception to natural death, then our land will truly be "the land of the free," and we will all reap the benefits of that liberty.
Brenda Hughes
Polson
Thanks for Dollars/Scholars support
Editor,
One early morning we finished reading 122 applications for scholarships that Polson Dollars for Scholars sponsors. We are truly impressed with the quality of applicants and the essays that these students submit for the 15 scholarships that we sponsor. Some students take the time and effort to apply for more than one scholarship as each scholarship has different requirements for the essay.
Some of these essays tell us a lot about the individuals. They write about an individual or event that has influenced their life. They tell us about teachers who have had a significant influence on them. Many write essays that would bring tears to your eyes because of situations that these young people have experienced and still are trying to reach their goals of attending college.
Now the hard choice is trying to decide which of these deserving students will receive help toward furthering their education.
With so many applicants, we know there is a definite need to assist these students. It would be wonderful if we could give each and every one of them a scholarship, but that is not possible.
With this letter we want to thank all the different people who help sponsor these scholarships. We especially want to thank the students who put so much time and energy into writing these essays. If you do not receive a scholarship, it isn't because of what you told us or how you wrote the essay; but because we only have a certain amount if money to give out. You, students and community members, can be proud of these individuals as they pursue their goals and further their education. They are all deserving and worthy of recognition.
Chris Strom, Emily Peck, Ken Avison, John Laimbeer,
Dollars for Scholar board members