Letters to the editor, July 15
*Editor's note: The Leader welcomes letters to the editor but reserves the right to edit for grammar and space. Letters are due by Monday at noon for the Thursday paper.
The final deadline for all letters regarding the North County Public Library District will be noon on Monday, July 19.
Polson parade
We just returned home from watching the Polson parade, especially those who only had the opportunity to see occasional parts of it.
My wife, who is mostly home-bound, and another couple in the same circumstance were sitting next to each other; my wife in a walker chair and the couple in folding chairs. The chairs were placed far enough out so they could watch the parade.
The closer the parade came, people started standing in front of them. Several attempts were made to move the chairs toward the parade, but the same thing happened. I approached almost a dozen people asking them to move to give these handicapped people a chance to see the parade. Some did, others moved slightly and some were downright rude.
There are many limited mobility people in this area. For some who are mostly home-bound or confined to wheelchairs, an outing such as a parade may be the only opportunity they may have of getting out if some kind person will take them. Unless you live this, you may not understand it. For some, it could be a last opportunity.
For future parades, why can't the committee who oversees these functions designate an area for the handicapped limited mobility people?
Bob Engels
Ronan resident
Mission Valley Food Pantry thanks
Mission Valley Food Pantry send our thanks to two organizations that have consistently supported our effort to provide food for those in need in our area. Helena Diocese of the Catholic Church, which includes the St. Ignatius congregation, has again generously provided funds for the pantry.
The volunteer board of the pantry was notified recently that a grant in the amount of $1,500 was allocated for the purchase of basic foods to be distributed to our clients from Arlee, Ravalli, Dixon and St. Ignatius.
Also, the Lower Flathead Valley Community Development provided a grant for $2,000. The pantry has received help in years past from the diocese and community development. Their continued support is a great help in our efforts to provide staples to those in need even in the current economic climate.
Our budget, just like that of most community members, has tightened. Our director, Heidi Riddle, is careful to make sure the purchases made are nutritional and provide balanced meals for at least four days for families using the pantry.
We have an ever increasing number of families experiencing financial difficulties due to loss of jobs. Each month the number of applicants for food increases. This makes the support of these donations an important part of being able to continue our level of service to our area.
We are open each week Tuesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. We invite all in need of assistance to come in and sign up for our service.
Grace Slack
Mission Valley Food Pantry Committee secretary
Mission Valley Power consumers take notice
A short, vague notice was published during the week of July 6 that Mission Valley Power (MVP) proposes rate increases AGAIN, which will increase meter fees, for example, to 100 percent from three years ago. Additional information has been difficult to obtain. The summary of proposed changes offers no documentation of necessity for rate changes of any kind. Montana Public Service Commission is not involved. No other power company in the state is operated this way. Unlike regulated utilities, there is no "reasonable" restriction on returns on investment, or profits: The sky's the limit!
However, a Consumer Council is responsible for obtaining public participation in this matter. The MVP website identifies Consumer Council members, but gives no contact information for anyone. Consumers must go to a meeting or write comments on the presented information to even be able to give input.
MVP is not holding meetings in the major population and consumer centers, Polson and Ronan. Instead, consumers who desire to provide the requested public input, must travel to Elmo, Hot Springs, Arlee or Pablo. Unbelievably, there was less than one week's notice before the first meeting. Written comments must be received at MVP by July 29, and are to be addressed to the Consumer Council Chair, Lissa Peel, P.O. Box 97, Pablo, MT, 59855. If you are reading this in the newspaper, there will be only one meeting you're likely to even know about in time to attend: from 6-8 p.m. on Tues., July 20, at the MVP Conference Room in Pablo. Call MVP for other info at 883-7900.
The kilowatt-hours energy rate increase comes next year. There is speculation that MVP will sell the low-cost power generated at Kerr Dam on the open market for a much higher price than if it were sold to its own consumers. MVP must already be entering into purchase agreements for more expensive power on the open market. It could sell the power back to its consumers at a much higher rate. No doubt it'll be called a "pass through" rate increase. Is this what we get to look forward to? Attend a meeting or two!
Karen Maurer
Big Arm resident
No to library
I am an impassioned supporter of educated literacy, of our children learning high level reading and writing in good English, preferably from excellent classic literature rather than from hand-held toys. Good libraries are included in this passion, as are good schools and even better teachers.
But, let's see. It's "The Polson CITY Library." But, since Polson residents don't seem to provide enough support to their library, we're going to impose a COUNTY levy on everyone to support the Polson CITY Library and increase its staff. "No city tax money would be required." And we're going to do this during the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. Got it.
I actually LIVE in northern Lake County, and Polson is 35 miles to my south. To visit the Polson CITY library requires a minimum 70-mile round trip. Like most people who actually live in northern Lake County, I can travel much quicker and much safer with the kids to a better library in Kalispell, and it wouldn't cost me nearly as much as paying forever for more permanent bureaucrats far away in Polson. The chances of anyone in my neighborhood ever benefiting from that "North Lake County" library down in Polson is zero. This situation is duplicated in many other small towns also far from Polson, full of private sector people trying to make ends meet during this Great Recession, a fact that seems totally lost on the public sector bureaucrats pushing this levy.
Put the library in Dayton or Rollins and it would actually BE "The North Lake County Library." But this levy with its cleverly deceptive title is just the usual trickery to get "someone else" to pick up the tab. The Polson CITY library is for Polson residents; any library levy should be limited to Polson metropolitan area residents. How many Polson residents would support the levy if the purpose was to put a library in, say, Dayton, only 23 miles away?
If the Polson City Library was a private sector bureaucracy not receiving sufficient support from its local customer base, it would already have (1) offered more and better services, (2) applied for a bank loan at interest risking its physical plant as collateral, (3) pared back its operating hours, (4) reduced its services, (5) laid off some employees, or (6) closed its doors. The very LAST thing it would ever think of considering is adding another three full-time employees at premium compensation. Why must public sector bureaucrats and their bureaucracies be immune from the same challenges that routinely affect everyone else? Where does that mentality of special entitlement come from? Why is it always so characteristic of those very many who now can hide their economic self-interests behind "the children?"
When private sector citizens lose their jobs or can't get work, their ability to pay taxes to keep bureaucrats on the payroll declines. It's simple arithmetic in the real world. In over thirty years, I've never seen even one of those Polson bureaucrats in my neighborhood, asking how they can help. The only bureaucrats who know we exist are those in the tax office. If Polson bureaucrats want to confiscate MY money to hire more bureaucrats for a public library, then put the library in MY town where I and my family and my neighbors can use it. Simply calling it a "North Lake County" library does not actually PLACE it in north Lake County, now does it? And it certainly doesn't move it to four blocks over from my house.
The proponents of this levy are counting on (1) most voters being emotionally persuaded by "the children" to put even more bureaucrats on the taxpayer's Polson payroll, (2) most people not thinking things all the way through to see that this is just getting "someone else" to pay for yet another Polson amenity, or (3) enough Polson voters to vote for the levy to overcome the voters outside of Polson voting against it. Those proponents should be ashamed of themselves. Very often anymore, the primary driving force behind American "thinking" seems to be, "How do I get someone else to do the hard stuff and pay my bills for me?"
No, thanks. The whole intent of this proposal is simply to get others to pay the cost of Polson city services, something very many of us have been doing for decades. I'd rather voluntarily donate to the tiny Lakeside Library.
Robert J. Lavin
Lakeside resident
Support library
The voters of this community and the surrounding area are being asked to vote in favor of the formation of a Library District, a service that many will and should support. It is essential to a healthy community.
This area is well known for its ability to show concern for many divisive issues. However, the people turn out again and again in favor of schools and they create new programs like Friendship Dinners, a new Food Pantry, "Soups On," golfing schools for young children, teaching music and drama for the community through the Port Polson Players and many other programs that may not directly affect the individual voter.
These supporters represent more than a caring community; they show a community whose issues, though not directly affecting each voter, are seen as an approach to solving problems when they speak as one voice. We are not just a good community, but a community where growth is a promise.
Little can be said in favor of "scratch my back" and "I will scratch yours." Polson voters say "we care." So support the creation of a Library District because you are an essential part of this great community of Polson.
Adell Hansen
Polson resident
Save our library
"The Polson City Library provides a welcoming, contemporary center for literacy and life-long learning for all users." The first sentence of our library's mission statement is a clear commitment to the belief that our library is integral to the fabric of our community.
The Polson Library has long depended on generous gifts to support several library services. More than one third of the operating expense is funded by gifts. These necessary gifts are sincerely appreciated but are not sufficiently sustainable for the effective operation of our library.
Your public library is a virtual reservoir. Use your computer and library card 24/7 to access sites with nearly one million books, DVDs, audio books and more. There is also reference and research sites available at no cost to you.
No computer? Use one at your library.
We have the opportunity to assure that our library can enhance and expand current services. A ballot to approve and fund the North Lake County Public Library District has been sent to each registered voter in the District.
Exercise your privilege and vote. Vote for the district to save our library.
Jake Block
Library district
steering committee
Vote yes
The Polson Library has been a valued part of the community for almost 100 years. However since 1992, the library has not received any taxpayer dollars for books, newspapers, periodicals, DVD's or CD's or online services like the Shared Catalog Partner's system in Montana. Only one other library in the state of Montana receives no taxpayer monies for materials. Pretty sad.
True, you can request a book from another library to be sent to you without a fee, but this service is available only because our library pays to be a part of the system. It is an invaluable service and the Polson Library deserves credit for being one of the founding libraries. Nothing is free, but this is a bargain. Without the levy, the library will have to cut these kinds of services.
The Library Board of Trustees and Library Director have worked very hard to keep the library operating and have had to count on gifts for 35 percent of the budget. Not one of us would like to depend on gifts to make ends meet. In the past few months, Drummond, Belgrade, Sanders County and Carbon County have successfully passed levies to help maintain and sustain their libraries. We can do the same to preserve our library. Are we not just as supportive as those communities?
So, people in the areas of Polson, Valley View, Big Arm, Elmo, Proctor, Dayton, Rollins and East Shore to Yellow Bay are being asked to come together to form a North Lake County Library District. The formation of a Library District will ensure equitable and stable long-term funding and will retain the library as a dynamic center of learning and community life. If other libraries in Lake County reconsider the initial invitation sent out four years ago to work together toward a sustainable and equitable means of funding, they could join the district.
Libraries help everyone who walks through the door. From 2008 to 2009, the cardholders at the library increased by 37%. That's more than 1,000 new cardholders. You are not turned away or charged a fee because the Montana State Code mandates that Montana libraries be available to all. A community depends on the library the same way it depends on police officers, fire fighters and educators. Even though you may not need these services today, they are there when you do need them. You are not charged a fee for help.
Think about the value of the Story Shuttle traveling to the daycares and preschools and providing after school programs to elementary school children. As a retired educator, I know the importance of developing a love of reading at an early age. It is priceless. These children are the future. Let's give them a good start to becoming literate.
Your choice will make a difference. Support the funding of the North Lake County Public Library District by returning your Mail-In Ballot before July 27.
Make that difference.
Bonnie Triepke
Library District
steering committee
Yes to library district
A library is a dull place if you're illiterate. Consider the bright side; watching TV, you don't have too much to read, other than casual words. No, a library is not the best place to learn to read, but it's a wonderful place to expand your reading capability and your reading horizons. Can you rent movies at our library? No, you borrow them for nothing on your library card. What does it cost you for a library card?
Nothing!
The burden of the library cost is being paid for by the residents of the city. Those who live outside the city are getting the use of the library for nothing! Sixty-one percent of the registered users live outside the city limits, and 57 percent of the library's funding comes from the city.
We use the library regularly, and feel we should pay our share, inasmuch as we don't live in the city of Polson.
One letter to the editor thinks that the library should make the necessary budget cuts and adjustments to exist within the current taxpayer provided funds. What does this letter writer think our library has been doing for some years? The county currently does provide funding to our library, which goes only for librarian wages. The funding started in 1992 with the sum of $15,315. That was 18 years ago, AND HASN'T CHANGED SINCE THEN. Would you enjoy your wages frozen at the 1992 level?
Bob Bushnell and Olga Lincoln
Polson residents