Letters to the editor
Outstanding achievement
On Dec. 9, 2011, Undersheriff Karey Reynolds graduated from the Montana Law Enforcement Academy. Undersheriff Reynolds was presented the “Jim Karro” award for his outstanding academic achievements during the 12-week training.
I would also like to congratulate Polson Police Officer Jim Atkins for his recent graduation from the law enforcement academy as well.
Jay Doyle
Lake County Sheriff
Great Cops!
Law Enforcement in Lake County has been getting some bad press lately. The press is based upon various allegations toward certain law enforcement officers of several agencies throughout this great county.
I am not writing to speak to those allegations, but am writing to talk about all the other law enforcement officers, detention officers and dispatchers who are feeling and suffering the impact of these media stories. As a result of the press releases, several law enforcement officers, totally innocent of the allegations, have been assaulted, both physically and verbally while in performance of their duties.
I have had the privilege of working with law enforcement and other emergency response personnel throughout Lake County since 2007 and have enjoyed my time with them tremendously. I find that the vast majority of law enforcement personnel throughout the various agencies in Lake County I have served and served alongside of are men and women of integrity and take their vocations very seriously.
For most, their ethical behavior is above reproach. They take their oath of office seriously¸ serving and protecting the great people of Lake County. They are willing to risk their lives daily for every one of us. They understand their calling and simply desire to live alongside their neighbors and raise their families in our wonderful communities throughout Lake County.
Please, as you come into contact with law enforcement officers and other emergency services personnel where you live, show them your gratitude for their service and thank God and each one of them for risking their lives for each one of you.
I am very proud of our cops, detention officers, dispatchers and all the other emergency guys and gals who have allowed me to be part of their lives. Many of them are like family and I, for one, am willing to give my life for each of them.
Jeff Kingery
Lake County Sheriff’s Chaplain
Senior Pastor, Ronan Alliance Church
Postal Service
It was a welcome sight to see the letter last week by Gary LeDoax of Arlee. There was one small error that I believe the public in general is little aware of. Gary suggests there are other places tax money could be cut before the U.S. Postal Service. The Postal Service has not received tax money in decades. Its income stems from its products and services.
Everyone should follow Gary’s example of contacting Tester, Baucus and Rehberg, but know what to say. The Postal Service was mandated in HR 6407 in 2006 to pre-fund future retiree health benefits for the next 75 years and do it in 25 years. No public or private agency does this. The annual payment that needs to be paid is $5.5 billion. Without this obligation the Postal Service would have made a profit.
There is now a proposed bill by Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont that would repeal the previous bill also known as PL 109-435. This proposed bill is S 1853, the Postal Protection Act. As with so many other things, all the facts aren’t given. Don’t you miss Paul Harvey and “the rest of the story?”
LaVonne Olmsted
St. Ignatius
Neighborhood buddies
In reference to Candy Yeater’s comment about “a dog’s only idea of mischief was romping with his best buddies around the neighborhood” is a total lack of mentality!
Since when do these people moving in here think their mutts can blatantly run around the neighborhood terrorizing somebody else’s pets and livelihood? Your sweet little pets when running with their buddies pack up and kill!
Examples of friendly neighborhood buddies on my property: Killing a baby calf, the animal was trapped and it was a black lab; vet bills on a baby calf whose hind legs were tore up from a pack of dogs trying to take him down; a lame momma cow being chased down and attacked – leaders of those packs – two black labs! Is this sounding familiar to somebody yet?
Then there is the lovely pack that had a momma cow surrounded that was trying to calf and the calf was hanging out of her as she’s trying to get away. To another worthless neighbor with her pack, does this sound familiar?
In the last couple months, I’ve lost four hens and a rooster who put up a hell of a fight to try to protect his own yard. My barn cats are afraid to come out of their barns, and you guessed it, two black labs have been seen running from, and as always, returning to the scene of the crime.
Candy, why don’t you ask your neighbor if his lab came home with chicken feathers stuck to his lips. Is this sinking in yet to those that think their dogs are superior to my pets and livelihood? I’m over it. My gun is loaded. Trust me, it’s not the dogs I want to shoot.
Raylene Wall
Polson
Caught in the act
This letter is in response to the one written on behalf of the owner of some dogs who are menacing, hazing killers. This dog pack (yes, pack) has been responsible for harassing, killing calves and hazing the cattle.
They also killed three of my hens and a very popular rooster, Alexander, who was published in the Missoulian not once, but twice on the front page. He will be missed by many senior citizens and day care students from Missoula to Kalispell. He was also in a prominent chicken magazine last fall.
My friends and I found enjoyment and laughs with this monarch. I don’t know if I can ever replace him. He was No. 37 pure white cornish cross – a beauty to see. He watched over the farm giving warning to the hens and other animals when danger was around. Now the hens have no protector and the hens are in danger of being the pack’s other meal.
Tie your dogs up, keep them in your yard. People who care for their dogs the way you protest keep them home and an eye on them. When they come onto a ranch .25 miles from any road they are trespassing and considered vermin.
I let the owner of these dogs know long ago they were coming onto the farm and so did others. The dog was not hunted down, he was caught in the act!
Jana Clairmont
Polson
Death, then dishonor
The headlines read; Disturbing report: USAF dumped ashes of at least 275 service members into Virginia landfill. This is reality people, it’s not made up.
What has happened to this nation? Why is it only now this is coming to light? Why in heaven’s name cannot a special crypt be added next to the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington where the ashes can be placed? After all, are not these blessed human remains unknown but to God?
I’ve reached my limit with all this. How many vets are in the U.S. today? Has no one the guts to command a general mobilization of the vets regardless of age? Have we become a nation of cowards, spineless wonders and crybabies? Stand tall, remember who we are. Remember those who died believing they were doing the right thing.
A peaceful march and take over of the halls of government are in order. Where are the general officers of the military, are you hiding? Are you worried you might lose your precious pension, you who ordered men and now women to their death while you stayed far to the rear? Where are you?
You know your general orders just as we do. You took the oath just as we did. Yet, you sit on your butts all the while our Constitution, our Republic, is being ripped to pieces before our very eyes. Where are you who went to USMA, USNA, USCGA, USAFA, USMMA, gutless wonders all?
It’s time, it’s time to hear the call. Who among you are truly brave enough to come out of hiding and call the roll of we, the veterans of this great nation? Call us into action and retake our nation, defend your oath as you swore to do.
Stand and be counted, do not cower behind closed doors, let us see you at the front leading us.
Robert Starks
Saint Ignatius
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