Letters to the editor
May 14
Roundup thank you
The Ronan School District No. 30 would like to thank all who helped us put on a successful Kindergarten Round Up in April. In addition to the following, we also thank all the local media for helping us reach the community of the Ronan-Pablo School District. This event was possible through the concerted efforts of each of the following: Tribal Health-Barb Plouffe; Rural Institute at University of Montana, Sue Toth; Rocky Mountain Eye Center, Naomi Dulmes; the staff of the Ronan School District.
If you missed the Round Up and would like to enroll your child prior to the fall, you may do so by going to the Pablo Elementary or K William Harvey Elementary schools and speak with that building’s secretary. The first day of school for the 2009-2010 school year is Aug. 27.
Joan Graham, Special Education Director, Ronan School District No. 30
Road alternatives needed
With the current Polson bridge repairs going on, and thinking also of the recent (again) big rig serious truck accident around the corner on the east lake road, I’d like to re-enter my sometime ago mentioned subject, namely the need for a Polson city bypass route (U.S. Highway 93 alternate diversion.) This is important to this whole area of the state, not just to Polson residents. An alternate means of traveling north and south for through traffic, and avoiding Polson I realize would be unpopular with some business concerns, but it would be very beneficial to the traveling public and commercial haulage. Plus, it would cut down drastically if not totally the trucking industries hew and cry for the needed usage of that east lake route. The safety factor also should be a key element to be considered from this change of course, that should now be perfectly clear to all.
We are hearing a lot lately about “stimulus money.” I’m not so sure how it would all work, but if “stimulus money” is going to be spent whether we like it or not, how about we get some of it for this project? Yes, Max, Jon and Denny there in Washington, how about putting forth an effort on our behalf! This for a little more work and betterment to this area.
Now, where to put the new lower Flathead River bridge and its approaches? Here’s what I’d like to see if possible in my lifetime, - a bridge somewhere near the Kerr Dam, and the new diversion routes to it in the least populated and true courses from both directions. This means from the north coming in from somewhere behind the city airport. From the south dropping off the south hill after first coming through the fields somewhere east of the racetrack speedway and Pablo Reservoir. The expertise of the planning engineers will figure all this out as they always do.
So how about it folks? I’m sure this will bring nay sayer comment, but I’d also like to have you write this newspaper if you think there is more than a little validity to this need. Better yet, also write or call, as I’m doing, the three mentioned elected representatives. Call Lou the Polson mayor, even the governor. Lets get this project moving forward!
Will Elliott, Polson
Police chief a selfless man
I want to write a letter to the people of Saint Ignatius. I want to take my hat off to our police chief, P.D. Vanhoose. P.D. and I don’t always see eye to eye and we have had our differences and always will. This man has served this country in the armed services, the county as a deputy and the city of Saint Ignatius as a police chief. Then, he retired to spend time with his wife Barbara, his children, his grandchildren and now his great-grandchild. When our police chief Jerry Johnson went to a better paying job with Sanders County, P.D. never blinked to put his family second and took out his uniform and badge and went to the aide of Saint Ignatius again. I respect the man for what he has done and is doing for the city of Saint Ignatius. It is hard for anyone to take a job when it don’t pay. Because of P .D., we still have a police department. Thank you P.D. and family. God bless you.
Bernie Lovell, St. Ignatius
Bike Appreciation thank you
The Bike Path Appreciation Day, in combination with Earth Day, was a success on April 25! We would like to thank all of the community members, families and friends who came out and rode the bike path between Ronan and Polson. We heard very positive comments from the participants on the success of the day and the ongoing promotion of healthy lifestyle activities available in our community. The event had several educational/promotional stations along the path and a free barbecue was served at the completion of the ride. The committee’s goal was to get the community out to use the Bike Path and to say “Thank-You” to Montana Department of Transportation for creating the path. The committee plans to make this an annual Earth Day event. We are accepting bike donations throughout the year for the next give-away. Bikes can be dropped off at the Tribal Fitness Center in Ronan, 676-0138. The committee also fully supports all efforts for the extension of the Bike Path to the south.
Tribal Health/Fitness, Ronan Parks and Rec, Intervention Specialist-Ronan School District, Lake County Tobacco Prevention, Coalition for Kids and Family Matters, CSKT Truancy Program, Lake County Health Department and Food for Fitness/Salish Kootenai College
Litter has no place here
I just wanted to express my appreciation and gratitude to the individuals and organizations that volunteer to clean up the highways and byways in Mission Valley. The efforts to keep this beautiful area clear of roadside debris deserve your respect and thanks.
On the other hand, the trash, the trash throwers who don’t think or care enough not to toss their garbage for us to view and cleanup deserve our condemnation. Littering is not only illegal, it’s just plain wrong and anyone reporting littering to the authorities is doing public service. Let’s help these community conscious people keep our valley and reservation clean by not littering and reporting those who do.
Jerry Powell, Pablo
Back to the roots
Someone said once that what this country needs is a good 5-cent cigar. Maybe so, but that can come later. What’s needed now are grassroots American patriots in positions of authority.
Don Basta, Polson
CASA scramble thanks
It was most gratifying to see the coverage the Leader so graciously provided on the recent CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children) golf scramble in Polson. Erin Scott did an excellent job capturing the day’s activities which are a vital part of CASA’s continued and so necessary involvement assisting Lake County abused and neglected children.
The tournament was a resounding success thanks to the outstanding involvement of our volunteers but more importantly because of the efforts of Matt Olson, who yearly takes this event on his shoulders and carries it to fruition.
The celebrities had a ball and promised to return and make the event even larger next spring.
CASA volunteers provide a critical independent voice in District Court for kids in our county.
We’re always looking for volunteers.
Thanks so much sponsors, golfers, volunteers, board members, Roger Wallace and the Polson Bay Golf Course and Erin Scott and the Lake County Leader.
Mick Holien, Polson
Join the vital circle
A most provocative message from pastor, Michael Moran, of the “Spiritual Life Center” in Sacramento, Calif., in his recent weekly letter: “An interesting national study was recently released which shows some dramatic changes on how we as Americans view ourselves religiously. The number of citizens who call themselves non-religious has doubled since the survey done 18 years ago, while the group identifying themselves as ‘Christian’ has dropped 11 percent in that same time period. More and more people are exploring spiritual frontiers and are less bound to traditional forms.”
What might be behind this national view? Is this a trend just among the younger generations? Does this reflect upon “traditional form” church attendance? And just what might be some of these “spiritual frontiers” mentioned? Interesting questions to ponder. I believe it applies to all age groups, but especially our younger generations feeling they are not getting their needs met through traditional groups and forms. There are loud and silent cries for help all around us and people are “exploring spiritual frontiers” looking for answers.
In the category of “exploring spiritual frontiers,” right here in the Flathead Valley we have some wonderful “Talking Circles” and “Circles of Trust.” These circle experiences are for listening and speaking. There is no pressure, no requirements. It is a sacred space, and what is shared does not leave the circle. It is safe. It is personally empowering. It is healing. Some formed around PTSD with veterans. Some formed around suicide intervention. Some formed around ‘inner listening’ and community building. Some formed around books or a course of study. The initial reasons for forming may vary, but they have a commonality: Each and every circle experience enriches the life of the participants in very practical and needed ways.
Where there is no vision, people perish. Where there is vision, people flourish. Talking Circles/Circles of Trust help each of us reclaim and begin to live our own personal vision with both clarity and self-empowerment.
Bob McClellan, Polson
Be aware of council ‘policies’
Be aware of your city government. It is the citizen’s responsibility to stay informed about information that impacts them. And, there are no second chances. That is what I have been told.
On April 20, 2009, the Council had on its agenda: PLACE LATE USER FEES ON ADJACENT LOTS WHICH BENEFIT FROM STORM SEWER LINES INSTALLED BY DON and KEN SMITH.
I did not receive notice about this meeting and the council ended up making a decision to place fees on my lot without my input.
(Interim city manager) James Raymond and (councilman) Jim Sohm told me the city could not keep citizens informed on every action the city might take. If the city did, it would not get any business completed.
Maybe that is true. However, I have been denied input.
On December 2, 2008, the Smiths, through their agent, Dale Nelson, went to the Board of Adjustments to receive variances on their property. At that time, Mr. Nelson guaranteed me that the Smiths were willing to pay for the improvements, the storm sewer included, and that adjacent landowners did not have to worry about fees. The board agreed that the Smiths would pay for the improvements, in essence approving the concept that the adjacent landowners were free of fees.
However, the council on April 20 approved the Late User fee. But, I was sure the council would let me speak. If I was going to pay the fees, which was fine, I wanted all the information heard. That seemed fair.
I further wanted the council to know Mr. Nelson was saying the city was encouraging him to apply for the late user fees. It also seemed the council was being used in a bait and switch scheme. It seemed Mr. Nelson went to the Board of Adjustments to get one decision and then to the city
council to reverse that decision.
I had a number of questions: Did the ordinance allow the City to do this? How was the cost of the fee determined? What if I could get the work done for else?
I then submitted an “Agenda Item Public Request Form.” Mr. Raymond responded by e-mail: “Sir - if you can find a councilperson willing to bring the matter back up, I will get it on to the agenda; otherwise, it is a fruitless use of the public time to revisit a decision. Please let me know if you have any questions.”
I wrote a second e-mail asking him to reconsider. Mr. Raymond refused and required me to have a councilperson place the item on the agenda. All councilpersons were copied on this e-mail. None offered to put my item on the agenda.
Therefore, I contacted Mr. Sohm. He refused to place the item on the agenda.
I am locked out of bringing my concerns to the council.
More importantly, citizens need to know it is their responsibility to stay informed. Furthermore, there are no second chances with the current city council.
Bob Marsenich, Polson
Dear Publisher Drewry,
I read with interest you article "Cap-and-trade: another scheme" on the opinion page of the April 16th Leader. You raise some very good questions about the cost of the "Cap" part and how much it will increase our power bills. All Americans are entitled to an answer given the unknown costs that will burden our future generations to pay for the recent economic packages passed by the congress.
I would like to address the "Trade" part of the proposal, which is a total fraud in that it actually allows net increases in carbon emissions. Two specific examples: First, we are told that farms using the "no-till" method of farming actually sequester carbon and therefore are allowed to trade that sequestering process with a power plant, for example, that might want to emit more carbon into the atmosphere. This process is done through intermediaries like the Farmers Union who sign up farmers who are committed to using the "no-till" method. The results are translated into "tons of carbon" that are theoretically sequestered that are then marketed through a commodity brokerage firm to those needing the credit to offset new emissions. Sounds OK on the surface, except that the "no-tilling" by the farmer need not be a new process, but merely one that he pledges to continue. Many farmers have been using the "no-till" system for many years (my brother has used in on our family's farm for more than 20 years) primarily to conserve moisture and secondarily to substantially reduce fuel usage from that required for conventional type farming.
If you follow the logic used for these type trades, than we have simply lost ground by using this scheme. I must assume the only benefit is a "feel good" thing that might provide modest benefit to the contributing farmer, but probably a much greater benefit to the "brokerage" firm and surely to the contributing farmer, but probably a much greater benefit to the "brokerage" firm and surely to the polluter who pays a very modest price for new carbon emissions. I have a serious problem finding the "Cap" on this trade.
The second example involves "range land", which apparently also qualifies for carbon sequestering process. Now think about this one. A Montana rancher whose family has grazed "native and non-native range" for years and years, can now qualify for the carbon trade by simply agreeing to continue a process that has served him well, thereby again allowing a net increase in carbon emissions.
This "Cap-and-Trade" scheme, as you state in your articles, will not only be very costly for all Americans, but ignores a lot of other carbon contributors at our expense. Not only will "Americans suffer while China pollutes" as you mention, but we will continue on a path of being less competitive.
A very large contributor tat is not often mentioned is uncontrolled wild fires, that either cannot be readily extinguished, or are allowed to burn freely by some misguided government policy. Ever time I look up at the Mission Mountains from Flathead Lake's East Polson Bay, which is every summer, I observe all those dead and dying trees that are simply waiting for a lightning strike and the potential for a big carbon emission event. I wonder why we can't find some way to remove the fire threat by sensible thinning and harvesting. This is a much more sensible carbon trade that could result in more employment in Montana and a good source of lumber for home building.
Lest I am branded a raving right-winger, I must quickly add that like most other Americans, I had great expectations for President Obama bringing a new direction to Washington. Alas it seems that our Congress still believes in "business as usual" by appearing to be doing the right thing, without being accountable to the people who will ultimately pay the bill.
A recent example of this is the Federal Court House to be built in Billings, that is now a $80 million building to be owned by the Government and thus pay no taxes, rather than the previously planned building proposal (at less than half of the $80 million cost) that was to be privately built and leased to the Government and thus be on the tax rolls. This one makes about as much sense as our own Senator Baucus doing a carbon trade with a farmer to offset the emissions from the jet fuel being burned during his travels. It was not a Montana farmer.
I am sending copies of this letter to senators Tester and Baucus, as well as Representative Rehberg as I think they should know how many of us Montanans feel about these issues. I hope I do get a response from these elected officials and if so, I will forward a copy to you.
Sincerely,
David L. Auer