Letters to the editor, May 20

Community movement

On Saturday, May 15, I attended the Lake Co. Democratic fundraiser for candidates running for office. The tone of the evening focused on the ideas and ideals of Howard Zinn, the late and influential political activist, author, speaker, and very wise person.

The North Crow Clubhouse was packed. Carolyn Beecher and all who worked planning this event did a magnificent job. The silent auction and drawings were effective and fun. The food was absolutely delicious. And, most of all, the people were happy, engaged, enjoying just being together and the candidates and other speakers touched on everything from national politics to saving our Polson Public Library.

What we all experienced at the North Crow Clubhouse last evening was wonderful community event with people running for office who spoke passionately of upholding values dear to the hearts of all of us, and wanting to help do it through being elected to political office.

Are these things dear to only one party? Of course not! It's a matter of electing motivated people with valuable ideas and ethics, eager and ready to sit side-by-side with all parties working together for the common good.

I did not hear one word about "life style" choices, such as abortion for example.

Why? Because in close-knit communities which we all strive for, it is like a family and there are some choices which are to be made without any outside intervention.

Should a government legislate your personal beliefs in such matters and require that you adhere to something with which you do not believe? I don't think so. But our national band of politicians, swayed by very vocal groups with money and votes, try!

It has been said many, many times: If change is going to occur, it is going to be from the bottom up, not the top down. Our system of government is fine. It is not the system that is wrong. It is the attitudes, motivations, and ingrained greed and fear within so many of those in the U.S. Congress that is wrong.

At the North Crow Clubhouse, we were part of ‘the bottom-up' community movement, the solid foundational platform from which the right answers to our national problems will emerge. There is no better way, be you Republican, Democrat, or whatever.

Bob McClellan

Polson resident

Remember the veterans

Who are these people taking our rights from us? The issues have become more prevalent every day, in some paper, on some news cast this blight is spreading. You can't say this, you can't do that, this or that will offend someone!

Who are these people making decisions against their own country and citizenry? Unauthorized people trespass on our properties, unauthorized people shoot and kill us on our properties and we are called insulting names for asking them not to invade our homesteads. Unauthorized people come into our cities and kidnap us and we are told we can't use certain words to identify these unauthorized people because those words may offend others who don't share our view.

Who are these people taking our rights from us? We are told we can't use certain words in showing respect to those we hold sacred because those words may offend others who don't believe as we choose to do.

Who are these people who we appoint to defend our rights but instead they give them away to others who don't deserve to have them? Who are these people who deny Americans the right to wear the symbols of our country but allow others to wear whatever they wish on days of their choice? Who are these people who would deny our right to honor our fallen and wounded patriots yet allow others from afar to protest in our country waving their countries flags and hurling insults at us for not giving to them the scared rights we have earned and paid for in our countrymen's blood, sweat and tears? Who are these people? Take your time and think back, you know who they are! Keep them in mind this coming November. Remember!

Robert L Starks

Saint Ignatius resident

Thanks U.S. postal service

The Polson Food Pantry Loaves and Fishes clients, volunteers, and board thanks the United States Postal Service (USPS), its' mail carriers, and the food donors for their recent food drive. This year almost 1,400 pounds was delivered to the Polson Pantry to help feed those in need in our community. This yearly USPS initiative greatly helps the Pantry deliver much needed help to folks in the Polson area.

Many individuals, businesses, churches, and agencies help the Pantry throughout the year and our organization could not fulfill its mission without the community's support. We are truly grateful to all who lend a helping hand to the needy in our community.

The Polson Pantry now operates from a new location, 904 1st Street East and will celebrate a grand opening Open House on Wednesday, June 16 at that location. At that time we'll recognize the major grantors and donors that made our new facility a realization.

Thanks to all in our special community that support the many worthwhile outreach activities!

Sid Rundell

Board Member

Big Arm

Relay thanks

The Bailey-Benson relay team would like to thank everyone that came to our fundraiser for the Relay for Life. It was a great success and raised money for cancer research and support. Special thanks go out to the Elks Club in Polson for the facilities, Graham Excavating and Richwines Burgerville for silent auction items, and Paula Briney for bake sale items.

We would also like to thank all the family members, both on the relay team and those not on the team, that donated, baked and came to help. We also had many community members that came and donated above and beyond what we were collecting.

Thanks to all.

The Bailey-Benson Relay for Life team