Letters to the editor, Oct. 7
*Editor’s note: The Lake County Leader welcomes letters to the editor. However, writers should limit contributions to 500 words and must include their signature, address and phone number for verification.
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The Leader will use its discretion to edit and print letters dealing with political issues and candidates.
Toole for PSC
Claims by Republican challenger Bill Gallagher that incumbent Ken Toole, his opponent for the Public Service Commission (PSC), has a conflict of interest because Toole has mutual fund investments in companies that are regulated by the PSC are ludicrous.
Any individual, Democrat or Republican, who has a retirement fund that invests in mutual funds knows the investment companies, for instance Liberty Mutual, makes the decisions as to where funds are invested, not the individual contributor. Such statements by Gallagher are nothing but a ploy to detract from the fact that he (Gallagher) is a partial owner of a water supply company whose activities are indeed regulated to some extent by the PSC.
Talk about electing a fox to guard the hen house!
The hypocrisy doesn’t end there though. It turns out Mr. Gallagher himself has investments in some of the same companies he accuses Ken Toole of investing in.
Ken Toole has an excellent record of representing everyday consumers in matters related to energy and resource use rates. As a state congressman, he was one of the few individuals who warned fellow legislators that the proposed deregulation of energy in Montana by a Republican administration could lead to the break up of Montana Power and a big increase in utility rates, and he was right on both accounts.
Montana citizens who invested in Montana Power for their retirement have never recovered. Mr. Toole has worked tirelessly with consumer groups, small electrical cooperatives and big energy players to bring a fair and impartial balance to rate increases as his voting record on the PSC shows. His opponent has none of that experience or background. In fact, Mr. Gallagher has not been able to site a single example where he stood up in a public forum and advocated for the non-business consumer on an activity that PSC oversees.
And isn’t it interesting that when you stand up for the consumer, as Ken Toole has, your opponent then labels you as “anti-business” or a “tool of radical enviro-nmentalists.” That’s like me labeling Mr. Gallagher a “radical business greed-monger” because he’s a lawyer with business interests.
Every taxpaying citizen in Montana is affected by activities of the Public Service Commission. It is important to have someone who is knowledgeable of its multiple activities and with a proven record of impartiality in their decisions. Ken Toole is that person. He is deservedly the consumer’s choice for the Montana Public Service Commission.
Kirwin Werner
Ronan resident
Vote for Toole
We have the opportunity to choose our next Public Service Commissioner (PSC) on election day, and yet many people don’t know about the candidates or even what the Public Service Commission does for us in the state of Montana. We are in the 5th PSC district and Ken Toole is asking for your vote again for this position. Ken and the PSC watch over all of our utilities in Montana, negotiating with the big corporations to get the best electric service, gas and telecommunications services, working to get the cleanest, most affordable energy sources for us to run our homes and businesses.
Ken Toole works daily as a current PSC commissioner to ensure that Northwest Energy provides Montanans with the most cost effective, clean energy sources available. Ken Toole fought against the disastrous deregulation of Montana Power in 1997, trying to prevent rate hikes for us. Ken led the fight to buy back our dams and to recover local control of our hydro electric power. Ken came up with the idea to tax big box stores to eventually help reduce property taxes. Ken led the successful fight to make Qwest telecommunications pay back money they overcharged Montana customers.
Ken Toole understands the issues that affect the lives of everyday Montanans. He is a native Montanan whose family goes back generations. He has taught our students at the university. He served for six years in the Montana State Senate as Chair of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee. He currently serves on the PSC and we need Ken to remain on the PSC. Please cast your vote for Ken Toole for PSC Commissioner on election day.
Sheila M. Bell
Polson resident
City council concerns
Over the last seven years I have attended quite a few Polson City Council meetings. The atmosphere at the meetings has definitely changed for the better in the last nine months. The commissioners and the city manager listen to and answer questions from the public and engage in discussions, which help to clarify issues to be voted on. This has not always been the case.
To insinuate that this group of commissioners is operating in secret and behind closed doors is giving the public an incorrect impression. While the matter of adding an amendment to the budget at the last minute was not handled well, it will be a learning experience for all involved and lead to better communication.
Suzanne Luepke
Polson resident
Bison Range comments
Regarding the ruling that rescinds the funding agreement maintaining the Bison Range, I am grievously disappointed. It’s difficult for me to believe that in the years of dispute prior to this agreement that such an important document would not stand up under thoughtful review. There was simply too much at risk for both sides: US Department of the Interior and Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
I believe that there is a larger story beyond the NEPA required “categorical exclusion.” Native Americans have a 14,000-year spiritual relationship to this land, which includes all forms of life and that which sustains it. Does the letter of the law trump this?
Without due diligence, U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly’s ruling threatened more than the jobs of twelve CSKT Bison Range employees. It once again divides a community that needs to concentrate on moving forward together. How does the National Environment Policy Act lose its vision of the common good? Where is the dedicated wisdom in our justice system?
I hope, with faith, that the U.S. Justice Department will apply such vision and wisdom in its review.
Nancy Glueckert
Polson resident
Open letter
This is an open letter to the city manager, the mayor, and the city commission.
A report in a local news paper Sept. 23 referred to a letter written by the Polson Chamber of Commerce Board indicating there was a lack of transparency and failure to communicate at recent city commission meetings. No details were given regarding the claim. A local real estate broker was also quoted in the article saying he witness the treatment of the Water Superintendent, Tony Porrazzo, when he walked out of a commission meeting. (The meeting he referred to was March 15, 2010.) The real estate broker’s reference to “treatment,” evidently, was intended to support his statement the city commission was, “not moving forward the way it should.” The broker raised two questions based on what he said he “sensed” as obvious: “Are we going to have government by ambush?” “Are we going to have back room deals?” Statements like these, with no response from the commission, or anyone else, allow accusations to distort issues and unfairly influence citizen’s perception. The ability to respond would provide a more balanced approach.
What concerns me is that there is very little in-depth public affairs journalism or investigative reporting available to the community. How can sound bite accusations be responded to? Those who have reason to believe accusations are wrong, or distort an issue, can research commission minutes and other documentation to try to give a broader view of an issue, but it is difficult to offer that broader view perspective in 300, or in some cases 500 words, when documented evidence needs to be included.
The March 15 agenda item, relating to Mr. Porrazzo walking out of a meeting, had to do with a decision regarding the Tamco, or Meridian, building located on public land on Kerr Dam road near the sewer lagoons. During the meeting, a situation occurred in which some city employees, who supported the purchase of the Tamco building, withheld information that the commission had specifically asked for and were waiting to review. I believe the record shows the staff members who withheld the documents were aware they were acting contrary to the commission’s wishes.
It seems fair to say the real estate broker had a “special interest” in wanting the city to purchase the building and had a business connection with the person who was attempting to sell the building. His implied meaning of the “treatment” of Mr. Porrazzo may have been self serving rather than an effort to purely and simply inform.
The statements I have just made, concerning some staff members withholding information and the broker having a “special interest,” should be accompanied with documented evidence to show the statements are correct, or to what degree they seems likely to be correct. Without the ability to document evidence everything is reduced to sound bite language that is accusatory and subject to distortion rather than informative.
Margie Hendricks
Polson resident
Pantry thanks
Polson Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry was the recent recipient of a most timely and gracious gift of meats from Glacier Bank, Country Foods/Pasta and Frank’s Meats.
Glacier Bank and Country Foods both donated beef and pork that they purchased from County Fair participants. What a great community gift, helping our local 4H youth gain an appreciation of the fruits of their labor and helping some of our neighbors add protein to their diets.
Frank’s Meats donated wild game which is also an important source of protein for pantry clients. Our Polson community is experiencing a greater need for food assistance as the local economy continues to struggle in these difficult times. The number of folks seeking assistance from the Polson Food Pantry has continued to grow since the beginning of 2010. Any individuals, companies, or organizations with the ability to donate cash has the opportunity to double their donation to the pantry through the ongoing Town Pump “Match” program. Donations of food items are always welcome of course!
The Polson Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry is open to serve clients and those in need on Tuesday’s and Friday’s between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and Saturday mornings between 9 a.m. and noon. Our newly renovated pantry is located at 904 1st Street East, across from Woody’s (WBC) — and visitors are welcome!
A special thanks once again to Glacier Bank, Country Foods/Pasta and Frank’s Meats for providing our Polson community with a helping hand!
Bryan River
Volunteer, board member and pantry coordinator
Hiking thanks
Recently, while hiking on a minor, secondary trail in the Mission Mountains, my husband and I came across an excellent job of green flagging to an upper lake. Thanks for the great directions. In appreciation
Janet Sucha
Charlo resident