Letters to the editor

March 26

Again, city management missed point

Reference my recent letter regarding the Polson City Manager saga: Well the saga has ended and is now a circus, led by the Ringmaster (Mayor) and his six Clown cohort’s (counselors). They are again advertising for city manager applicants, plus applicants to fill two vacancies and two alternate positions on the search committee.

 No one knows what the problems are so I guess the original ones of salary, benefits, contract term and vehicle are still valid. Have they heard that salary range offered is $60,000 to $85,000 and they are now up to a two door model car. Contract term probably enters in as does a buy out in event either party decides it’s time to move on. Also, I am sure the fact that Kalispell is in process of hiring a new manager in the range of $81,000 to $115,000 is not lost on those applying. I understand Kalispell plans to have their search wrapped up within 10 days.

 My letter recommended the council approach the Polson School Board for hiring advice or even turn over the hiring process to them as they recently completed a successful search for and hired a new District 23 Superintendent in very short order. Since they decided against my humble though sage advice maybe they might consider sending a contingent to Kalispell to observe the process and take advantage of their experience. Certainly couldn’t hurt.

 In any event, good luck.

Tom Ryan, Polson

A very green thanks

TRIC, The Ronan Irish Community, would like to thank all the great entries in the 20th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Also, thank you to the great spectator attendance for braving the cold weather! The winners in the parade are as follows: Most Likely to Spend the Night in Jail – City Crew of Ronan; Most Shamrocks – O’Leary’s Old Ladies; Best Shriners – Clark Fork Shriners; Best Irish Attire – Bag Piper Jim Pettit; Greenest-Dottie Welch; Most Likely to Cause a Riot – O’Leary’s Old Ladies; Most Irish – Dottie Welch; Best first Timer-Black Tail Jeeps; Best Walkers- VFW; Most Irish Animal – Green Horse; Best Kids Float – Daisy Troop; Best Float-City Crew of Ronan. Once again, thank you to all and a special thanks to Jennifer and Beth for the wonderful powerpoint presentation. Here’s to the Irish!!

Carlene Brockman, Ronan

Health Care planning

If you are interested in letting Baucus and Obama know about the grassroots support for Universal Single Payer Health Care, stop by the Polson Library from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m on Saturday, March 28 and sign a petition to put the “single payer-system” on the table at the National Health Care Discussions.

Single payer health care promotes quality health care through a publicly financed, privately delivered health care system which would include equal and affordable health care for every American. Please consider  this opportunity in joining these efforts to put this issue on the table for consideration.

Montanans for Single Payer, Universal Health Care, Polson is a group of regular citizens in our community speaking out for change. Our President has asked to hear from all of us at the grassroots level. We are people attempting to answer that call. Do we have a right to equal and affordable health care? For more information check out Conyer’s Bill, House Resolution 676, or call our Montana Senators Baucus: 1-800-332-6106, Tester: 1-866-554-4403, or even better: White House 202-456-1111. Get informed! Let’s start to un-do the current system that does not work for the good of every American. It’s a start. . .

Lynn Peters and Suzanne Luepke, Polson

Clinic clarification

A number of my patients have expressed concern over recent advertisements for the clinic in Bigfork, in which I am involved. I apologize for the confusion, as the ad appears somewhat misleading. To clarify, I am in the Bigfork Family Practice clinic only once a week every Tuesday and occasionally on Saturdays. Dr. Probst is there the majority of the time. The remainder of the week, I am here in Polson at the Western Montana Medical Clinic at St. Joseph Hospital. My family and I have felt very welcome in this community and appreciate the concern over our wellbeing. Thanks again for your enthusiasm and warm reception to the Mission Valley!

Nate Buffington, M.D., Polson