Letters to the editor, June 24

Food safety act

I have been reading several letters to the editor and op-ed pieces in the newspapers regarding SB 510, the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, specifically regarding Sen. Tester’s amendments, in order to purportedly ease the burden that small farmers believe SB 510 will place on them.

As a public health nurse, I understand the importance of food safety. I also understand the time, money, and effort it takes to investigate a foodborne illness, not to mention the illness and death they can potentially cause.

Depending on how widespread the outbreak, the work required to control such outbreaks can place great strain on local health jurisdictions.

Add to that the costs from medical bills and lost workdays. That is why even small, local farms should be accountable for the safety of their product.

The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act aims to place that accountability on all producers so that in the case of a foodborne outbreak, systems would be in place to quickly manage the incident and recall the product due to the traceability mechanisms and the strict record keeping required by the food safety standards of SB 510.

I am a firm supporter of local food production and distribution, but even I realize that even small farms are not fundamentally immune from contamination simply because of their size. Exempting small farms from safety standards is not the answer, especially when the public relies on growers to protect consumers’ food supply.

Emily Colomeda

Polson resident

Food industry concerns

As an Environmental Health Specialist, I deal with the food industry on a daily basis. When inspecting a restaurant or other food establishment, I need to ensure that the food being served to customers is safe.

Part of being safe means the food comes from an approved source. “Approved” means acceptable to the regulatory authority based on its determination of conformity with safe food manufacturing and processing methods (A.R.M. 37.110.203 (2)).

There is a growing industry to provide locally grown produce for schools and eventually food establishments. Farm-to-school programs are being instituted to help boost local economies.

The problem is, there are weak standards for these farms to adhere to and the trace-back is very limited. The importance of having strong standards for even these small farms is great.

The Food Safety bill now being considered by the U.S. Senate can help change this. It will strengthen safety standards and food inspection practices nationwide. And it will require imported foods to meet the same safety standards as food produced in the United States.

The Food Safety Act will also provide better trace-back of contaminated items and will help health authorities track where an outbreak started, without having to recall items that are safe.

Please encourage Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester to vote “yes” for this measure.

Donny Saisbury

Polson resident

Progressive stance

It’s a remarkable thing when a closet Progressive steps out into the light to finally be seen for what they truly are and the herald they’re unveiling by discounting the Constitution as being non-substantive, meaning it no longer has meaning.

Talk about double speak, that’s like saying because the Bible was written so long ago it no longer has meaning.

Oops, that’s exactly what the progressives believe.

The further their diatribe is able to disassociate you the citizens of the United States from God, your belief in our country, your faith in our flag and our republic and your knowledge of our history they are as happy as bugs in a rug. 

So, when one steps into the light, study him, learn from his words, hold his words close, compare his words to our history.

The history of our country has been slowly but surely either erased, rewritten, or conveniently forgotten by the progressive movement, so what are you, the reader, to think about all this?

For starters, dig deep and learn our proud history, because try as they have, the progressives have failed in their efforts to destroy “free thinking, free speaking” America. Start by reading, “The Real George Washington” and while you’re at it, pick up the Bible and give it a read because in the end all we are going to have is our faith in a greater power and our faith in one another.  

Do not go silently into the night, let your voices be heard. Progressives are nothing more than Communists masquerading as non-threatening citizens who only want to get you to help them have power over you. Learn our country’s history because when you do you’ll have no problem seeing the enemy of your freedom for who and what they are.

Robert L. Starks

Saint Ignatius resident

Polson library ballot

This July, residents of Polson and north Lake County will have an opportunity to vote, by mail-in ballot, on a proposal to establish a library district, which would provide sustainable operational funding for the Polson Library.

It is exciting to know that in elections this June, several small and medium-sized communities voted to support their local libraries: Mill levies for the Plains Library and the Clancy Library passed, and the Carbon County library mill levy increase passed, which will benefit the Joliet Pubic Library, the Bridger Public Library and the Red Lodge Carnegie Library.

In the previous seven months, both Drummond and Belgrade passed levies to fund their libraries. As Polson-area voters prepare to cast their ballots, I hope they will be encouraged by the example of these other Montana communities and vote for the proposed North Lake County Library District.

Maryann Jones

President of Friends of the Polson Library

Vote yes for Library

The residents of North Lake County are fortunate to have a high quality library in Polson. It  affords the public free access to a wide variety of updated written materials as well as other services such as free internet-connected computers, reading programs for adults and children and the Story Shuttle, just to name a few.

These services are all vital to the intellectual health and development of  our community, making it a better place to live. They provide a free source of information unavailable elsewhere. It is important to everyone that these services continue in a manner that will benefit all users. However, to do so will require a sustainable, equitable and dedicated source of funding. Starting July 8, North Lake County voters will be asked to approve a mill levy to provide this funding. Please support continuation of all of our library services by voting yes.

Philip Barney

Big Arm resident