Letters to the editor
Stolen wheelchair
On December 5, someone stole my wheelchair from Walmart. When we went to leave, the wheelchair was gone. Whoever used it left the store property with it.
I need my chair! It was ordered especially for my needs and I can’t function in daily life without it. I am an 80-year-old tribal elder.
To whoever took my chair, I need it returned. You can return it to me, the store, or to the police station. Thank you!
Alvina Burns
Polson
Pageant lives up to its name
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever was the most inspirational, enjoyable, lovable play I have ever seen at Christmastime. All the players, adults, teenagers, down to the wee ones were outstanding in their parts. What really made it meaningful was the message of love and compassion. There wasn’t a dry eye in the audience as we were so moved by this wonderful story. Please put this same play on next year, Karen and Neal, and thank you to all of you!
June Syvrud
Polson
Good Samaritans
You may have heard the words from those reporting the efforts of many volunteers helping victims of hurricane Sandy, “Good Samaritans.”
It was Jesus who first told the story of the Good Samaritan, a story about three men, which many of us remember from our early days in Sunday School. Laying in the ditch beside the road was a man who had been beaten and robbed and near death. A priest on his way, perhaps to some very important meeting, saw the man but passed him by, refusing to help. Then a Levite, who assisted the priests in the temple ministry came along and also refused to help. Finally, the Samaritan comes by and sees that the half dead victim is a Jew, a member of the nation detested by Samaritans, yet he immediately responds with a compassion which exceeds racial animosities. The priest and the Levite, not withstanding their religious profession, refused the appeal of that higher, bigger, diviner realm which is everywhere around and appealing to all of us; but the Samaritan responded despite obstacles of present danger, racial antipathy and inconvenience. The priest and the Levite saved themselves some time, a few pieces of silver and a lot of inconvenience, but they also missed the best joy that we can know on earth, showing compassion by serving others. We are most like Jesus when we serve others.
Last Saturday a group of men in our community worked together to buck, split and stack some winter wood for a lady who needed a few Good Samaritans to stop by, offer compassion, and serve a neighbor; just like so many Good Samaritans are doing on the East Coast. I’m reminded of Jesus’ words as recorded in Matthew 25:40: “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it unto me!’”
Harvey A. Town
Polson
“The will of the people”
An organized group of supporters were present at the Polson City Commissioners 12/3 meeting to support the renewal Mr. Crossett’s contract. People who did not support Mr. Crossett were also present, but for various reasons did not speak out. His supporters were clearly disappointed about the outcome—even angry. The focus of this letter is to address the lady who loudly exclaimed after the vote, “So much for the will of the people.”
Her comment clearly expresses a major problem in Polson. A rather small group of people have been working closely with Mr. Crossett. They have shared visions and goals and they fully support each other. They firmly believe their vision and goals are correct and therefore “the will of the people.” They wear blinders.
The group I am referring to has different names, but the major players are the same: Greater Polson Community Foundation, Envision Polson, and the Orton Family Foundation Heart and Soul Project. Last year, Envision Polson conducted a survey. They claimed to want to know what people thought about eight goals “they” set. Goals 5, 6, 7 and 8 include trails in some aspect. That explains why Mr. Crossett has been so focused on trails and actively pursued plans, including a very costly piece under the Highway 93 bridge. His familiar line has been, “There’s a lot of support for this.”
The survey results did not indicate support for these trails. The percentage of positive support was quite low. Did the group rethink “their” goals? No. One question specifically asked if there was interest in Polson hosting a triathlon. Only 29 people (11%) expressed favor. Before long, Penny Jarecki (who plays a role in the three groups mentioned above) publically announced that a trail was being built in Riverside Park for a triathlon.
So, we have a self-appointed group working with an unelected city manager to fulfill their personal visions. It is also interesting to note that the same Envision Polson survey revealed the belief that Polson has a “good old boys club” that runs the city. I am beginning to understand what that means. My reply to the lady who lamented about “the will of the people” is a suggestion to take a step outside her small “group think box” and look around.
Diane Speer
Polson