Letters to the editor

Nov. 26

No trucks on Hwy 35

An open letter to Governor Brian Schweitzer: I am writing to you with the best interests of traveling public, - and in particular we who live on or near the east lake Montana Highway 35 where it rounds Flathead Lake. We read both accounts (in the Daily Interlake and the Missoulian newspapers) of the Somers meeting held the evening of Nov. 12. This meeting featuring Jim Lynch of the Montana Department of Transportation, and a Mr. Spook, who represents a truckers association. It’s my understanding from what was reported that Mr. Lynch’s hands are tied and can in no way do anything to stop the heavy haulage along the east side of the lake. This because the highway is on the national register of highways. So Governor Schweitzer, we are asking you to implore the necessary entities in Washington to now delist this leg of the route, thereby giving Mr. Lynch no out from his only real excuse to go negative, and against the people’s best wishes, needs, safety, and common sense on this critical issue.

We are also asking that you also use your powers to hasten in all ways, and in the same manner, the much needed Polson U.S. Highway 93 city by-pass. Surely this has come to your attention in your own travels, and way before this letter.

Thanking you in advance for your attentions and efforts for us living here.

And as a side note, if you the reader, see this as also a caring Lake County voter, then also please contact all of yours whom hold office on the state and national level. They, thanks to your before votes, owe you. You can get all of their addresses by calling the Polson city library and asking for user services. Those people on duty will help you, and are very glad to do so, be it this issue or one of your own particular needs.

Be an active citizen, we need you now whatever your own particular convictions!

W.P. and June Elliott, Polson

Publisher columns need ID

Dear Publisher Dan Drewry: I have no quarrel with you expressing your opinion about fighting global warming even though I disagree with most of your thoughts.

However, I do object to the extremely negative tone (e.g. “Barack-a-Lackeys”) and the thoroughly partisan nature (e.g. anti-Tester) of your piece in last week’s Leader.

Of course, I suppose your views are fair game for opinion pieces, but yours was not identified as such. Your photo and column appeared as if it was a typical news story on page 2.

My first reaction was, who is this? A climate scientist or economic expert? There was no caption describing your qualifications or background. It wasn’t until I happened to look at the small print that I learned that you are the Leader’s publisher.

It would be nice to know that my small town newspaper crafted stories that were fair, balanced and politically non-partisan. And by all means, express your personal musings on the appropriate editorial/opinion pages.

But please do so in a respectful manner, for after all, shouldn’t Polson’s only newspaper set the standard for polite, civil discourse?

Jim Rogers, Polson

Leon Club thanks

Dear Friends in the Mission Valley: The Leon Community Club members are very grateful to our friends and neighbors who joined us Friday evening for a pancake supper at the clubhouse. This historic building is a gem in our community, and we really appreciate your dollars in helping fund remodeling projects. Thanksgiving is approaching fast, and we extend our thanks and blessings to all.

Leon Community Club Members

Thoughts on Thanksgiving

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, government are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

For me, no words are more heartrending than the above. Throughout the years, I have thanked our forefathers for their courage, their sense of justice, their honor and their great ability to separate right from wrong. Again and again, I thank these great people.

Notwithstanding, it is recognized that the above first paragraph is extracted from the Declaration of Independence, which was declared on July 4, 1776. Thanksgiving was established for us many years before - around 1620 by the Pilgrims. The Pilgrims were the forefathers of those who declared our independence, and created our Constitution.

The Pilgrims led a very tough life, and were very diligent in their faith. Accordingly, they established Thanksgiving as a religious event, a day of giving thanks to the Lord.

Keep all the above in mind, while you enjoy your chicken, turkey and pumpkin pie.

William Ingram, combat veteran

Zone Cafe thanks

The Zone Cafe and YWAM New Waves would like to thank everyone who attended and contributed to the Samoan tsunami fundraiser last month, $1,000 was raised and will be used for relief work in the island nation of Samoa.

Dan Gingerich, Polson

Global warming needs solutions

I certainly agree with Dave Marshall’s letter concerning Dan Drewry’s article about global warming. And so, no doubt, do the 50 or so people who attended the meeting on global warming last Wednesday if they even read the Leader.

And, I believe, when Drewry does express his opinion he should indicate that he is the publisher of the paper.

Please make sure Mr. Drewry is aware of this opinion.

Suzanne Luepke, Polson

Property tax protest procedure

If you are protesting your property taxes and your taxes are paid through an escrow account at a lending institution, you need to make sure you fill out a protest form with the Lake County Treasurer by Nov. 30. You need to state which lending institution your tax payment is coming from so they can match up.

Dale Gillespie, Polson

Honesty reigns after purse returned intact

Last week, I went to Wal-Mart and did a really stupid thing: I paid for my purchases, came out and put them in the car (along with the dog’s help). She had to check everything out to see if I had bought her anything, which I had. In all the confusion, I left my purse in the cart and didn’t realize it until I drove into our garage. I made a flying trip back to Wal-Mart, probably should have gotten a ticket, no driver’s license, speeding, etc.

Not a pretty picture!

Low and behold, there was the cart, right there where I left it, no purse. I went inside to customer service and someone had turned it in. Nothing had been taken. Wal-Mart had called to let me know, but I hadn’t gotten home yet.

I just wanted to let everyone know that there are still good and honest people in the world, and give a special thanks to the person who turned my purse i .

Barb Lyon, Polson

Deputy in need, you can help

I would like to take this opportunity to tell people of the Mission Valley about a friend and co-worker, Jeff Ford, who has been a Deputy Sheriff with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for the past four years. During this time, h has had an exemplary record of serving the people of Lake County. Prior to working for Lake County, Jeff worked for the Polson Police Department. Jeff also served nearly 20 years in the Air Force Reserves as a navigator on numerous aircraft and on countless mission all around the world. Not only has he spent the  majority of his adult life in service to his country and community, Jeff has always made time to help a friend, neighbor or perfect stranger in need. The purpose of this letter is to share with the community way that we can give a little back to Jeff in a time of great need.

Two years ago, Jeff was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. Despite his illness, he has continued to faithfully serve hi community, all while undergoing a variety of treatments, which have prove unsuccessful. This had led to a critical point in his illness. Jeff recently underwent bone marrow transplant. The transplant procedure is very painful and complex, and will require multiple trips and extended stays at the transplant center in Seattle.

Increased out-of-pocket expenses, combined with the inability to continue working for the foreseeable future, greatly increases the challenge he is facing.

As his friends and fellow officers, we are asking for the community to help meet this need. Jeff’s out-of-pocket expense are expected to exceed $30,000. In the near future, the Lake County Deputies will be holding a series of fundraiser events and an account has been set up at Glacier Bank in Polson to raise funds for Jeff.

Currently, the Lake County Deputy Sheriff’s Association is selling raffle tickets to help raise money for Jeff. First prize is a 1996 Honda Accord donated by Ronan Dodge and recently tuned up by G and M Auto. You can get tickets from any Lake County Deputy. The drawing will be held on Jan. 29, 2010.

If you would like to help, you can mail donations as well as good wishes to Jeff at: Jeff Ford Benefit Fund, P.O. Box 1155, Polson, MT 59860.

Please share this need with your friends and neighbors so we can rally behind Jeff. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Dan Duryee, Pablo.