Letters to the editor

Feb. 25

Quarry a sign of the times

Amlu Caye, having read your letter and trying as a non-tribal member to understand the hurt you feel in your heart pertaining to the rock quarrying going on, weather permitting, high up at the foot of Chief Cliff near Elmo, I’m at a loss to feel to much empathy for your ability to now have deep grief or the hurt you speak of in your heart over seeing “mining” going on way up there above the highway. Are you speaking possibly as you’ve seen the quarry from an airplane window as you fly over? A quarry well away from the foot of Chief Cliff itself? Understand please, I have no knowledge as to the ownership of that quarry, none there are friends of mine.  But I want to read some common sense into your complaint — but so far I find none! As to the legend of Chief Cliff, I’ve heard about the little maiden who supposedly looks out from on high over the lake. Many times in going by I have yet to see her definable image up there. It just looks like rocks to me that I’m sure during the ice ages took a tremendous amount of abuse and no small amount of re-alignment. One thing that needs to be said here is that all over this south lake area (and maybe further), it’s well known that the cubical rock from up there is going to very good use in shoring up the shorelines from erosions due to wave action during storms.  Some of the recent work being done near us within the Polson city limits (and we marveled at the beautiful finished work by Polson excavating) was a permanent barrier keeping the dirt there from washing down during storms into Flathead Lake with regularity.

Frankly, and I’m sure I’m speaking for many, I hope the hurt in your heart eases, and you are able to find more peace with the inevitable progress going on in this area. Please consider taking up your issues with the tribal shoreline protection office in Polson. It’s my bet that those people familiar to me will have only good things to say about that quarry, the way they are conducting what they do up there to better not only the lakeshore erosions, but also other nearby community works that curb erosion and just look very good to the eye.  Please let your heart not be troubled Amlu and others, some of modern times and progress is a darn good thing for us all around here!

You thanked everyone for an important issue to you Amlu, I’m following you’re lead and doing the same now.

Will Elliott, Polson 

Thanks to speaker

Thank you, Ann Brower, for speaking at our potluck Sunday at the Valley View Clubhouse.  You were very informative and seem to know your issues very well. Any other clubs out there  should have her come and speak at your meetings or potlucks. Good luck Ann campaigning for county commissioner.

Kelly Bailey, Polson

Mining ban positive

Last week, Premier Campbell and Gov. Brian Schweitzer signed a Memorandum of Understanding to protect the transboundary Flathead, one of the most critical habitats in North America. The agreement will ensure that the Flathead is protected from mining and energy development, thereby enabling present and future generations to benefit from and enjoy this incredible landscape in its current pristine condition.

The vision of Premier Campbell cannot be overstated, given that the area is home to the first international peace park, a World Heritage Site and a UN Biosphere Reserve. In addition to thanking the Premier and Governor for their leadership, the FBC would also like to thank the congressional delegation, and in particular Sen. Max Baucus for his decades long effort to secure protection for the Flathead.

Last but not least, the transboundary work of Flathead Basin Commission could not have proceeded without the support of the Montana legislature and the Flathead delegation. The MOU is a critical first step in protecting this unique landscape, and we look forward to working with the Province of British Columbia, the governor and Sens. Baucus and Jon Tester to implement this agreement.

Caryn Miske, Flathead Basin Commission executive director

Change from within

The disruptive, blatantly partisan, greed driven, angry and combative rhetoric called “news” is coming so fast and furious that it must have many asking, what is going on here? How can we change this trend? What can we do about this? When are our concerns going to be intelligently addressed? How can we make the changes we wish to see? All good questions, for sure.

My firm belief is this: “To help make the changes we wish to see, we must be the change we wish to see.”

For example, I know peace activists who hate people. They are out there protesting for peace, but that is not what it is about. They are out there hating their political opponents, hating the people waging war, hating the corporate pigs benefitting from the war. They are coming totally from that hate-filled frame of mind. This only perpetuates the very anger and attack they are protesting against!

 You can have two people doing exactly the same thing, one doing it from an attitude fueled by anger and frustration, the other doing it from an attitude fueled by peace and love. One perpetuates the anger and fear, the other demonstrates true understanding and peace. Which attitude prevails is what determines the human experience. That is how it works! As the old saying goes, “You cannot fool Mother Nature.” Well, “You cannot fool mother/father God, either, we reap what we sow!”

 Every action has a reaction. And the place to start is right here at home, right in our own families, our relationships, our work and play environments. Children, especially, pick up much more from our attitudes and actions than from what we say.  Reminds me of that great saying: “What you are, right now, speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you are saying!”

 So, I come back to this truism: “To make the changes we wish to see, we must be the change we wish to see.”

Bob McClellan, Polson

Haitian fundraiser thanks

We are writing to express our thanks to the community for its help in creating a successful Haitian breakfast on Saturday, Feb. 13. With 156 people in attendance, we made more than $2,000 for the Chances for Children Orphanage, which the Foster Friess Foundation will match. We would like to thank the following artists, businesses and contributors for their donations: Piece Unique Decor, Joan Christensen, C.J. Congdon, Peggy Norman, NAPA Auto Parts, Lori Dickson, Marsha Anson, Treasure State Mercantile, Margery Christensen, Gail Burghardt, Kathy Oros, Marcia Motichka, Tim Meeks, Deb Carstensen, Ronan Eye Clinic, Marcus Simonich, Crazy Mike’s Video, Bonnie Peterson, Matt Holmes, Mary Lu Suneson, People’s Center, John H. Davis, Marje Grinde, Edna Lemm, Adell Hansen, Marg Burgan, Cherry Valley staff, Laural Toland, Showboat Cinema, Mike and Tiffani Watkins.

Elaine Meeks, Cherry Valley principal on behalf of the Cherry Valley faculty and staff