Letters to the editor
Property taxes
My wife’s family has owned west shore property on Flathead Lake since the 1920s. Over the years that has been parlayed down to less desirable property to maintain ownership. Our dream has been to preserve it for future generations. So the children can play in the water, row the boat, watch the stars and sleep on the dock, as my wife did as a child in the ‘50s. We are now looking at losing it because of higher taxes. Yes, if we rent it we “might” be able to keep it but then we can’t use it. We have protested to no avail. We have attended meetings and asked for help.
Obviously, the state, county and school system needs money. I struggle to understand the rationale of the tax system. If you sell your property, it has value. If it’s not for sale it has no value. The state disagrees. Likewise, if you have enough acreage, or enough fruit trees then your property has little value because it is “agricultural.” It doesn’t mention anything about you being out there digging in the dirt, working 14-hour days struggling to survive, making your living from the family farm. Or that you inherited the farm. It means as long as you can preserve that loophole in the system you pay next to nothing in taxes. Let’s not forget the federal subsidies for “not” growing anything.
I note with interest how some of our “representatives” dodge an obvious way to me to generate revenue. If you paid big money for prime recreational property on the lake, you should pay proportionally. I find it disturbing when I hear, “If local cherry orchards are not appraised as agricultural, there will not be any more orchards... Not many people want to see housing development here.” In other words, “I have mine, too bad for you. I don’t want any trailer trash down the shore line from me.” Better we force you to sell your property to an out-of-state rich person that will bulldoze the cheap house daddy built on weekends while working full time and replace it with a nice new luxury home. If you can afford a high dollar accountant, have a lot of money, own five acres or 120 cherry trees or have a hobby farm, you can dodge the system too and pay next to nothing in taxes. Better yet, if you can get into politics you can influence the system even more to make sure you don’t pay more.
I haven’t seen any bills recently that really address helping the property tax situation for the little people. I see and hear plenty about, “I care about you, I’ll fight for you, I feel your pain, we’ll try to change the way your property is appraised.” The tax system is weighted for the people who make the most money, write and pass the bills that govern us and who donate the most to someone’s political fund so they can have more money.
I’d like to give Carmine Mowbray another shot at trying to fix the system.
Dave Sheesley
Polson
Thank you
The Lake County Spay/Neuter Task Force would like to extend a heartfelt “thank you” to all the wonderful volunteers, donors and sponsors at the recent two-day clinic. We have said before that it truly “takes a village” to make this event successful. Our village answered the call and our community was improved, as were the lives of 197 animals.
A special thank you to all the mothers who gave up their Mother’s Day weekend to help the animals and our community. The people that live, work and serve in this beautiful valley are amazing and again Lake County Spay/Neuter Task Force thanks you.
Vicki Scheidecker
Polson
Vote for Mowbray
Sometimes people enter your life and it is forever changed for the better. Carmine Mowbray is one of those people. Carmine was my boss for many years at the Lake County Leader/Advertiser. In those eight-plus years I worked with Carmine, we had almost no employee turnover. Her goal was to make our office somewhere we as employees would be proud to work and our community somewhere we would be proud to live. Now that I am a small business owner myself, I can more fully appreciate her dedication to her business, her employees, her community and her state. Carmine has the uncommon ability to work through a problem to a solution with someone while still maintaining the ability to make the tough decisions when necessary. In these uncertain and trying economic times, there is no one I would trust more than Senator Carmine Mowbray to not only be fiscally responsible with my hard-earned tax dollars but to also keep me informed. I will cast my vote for Senator Carmine Mowbray and I urge you to do the same.
Joyce Shima
Polson
Mowbray for Senate
Carmine Mowbray deserves an elected term to the State Senate. I feel she served responsibly and well after being appointed to succeed John Brueggeman and proved to be a fast learner despite the prevailing difficult partisan atmosphere.
I’ve known Carmine for a long time. Her role in developing the Flathead Courier and Ronan Pioneer, and eventually merging them with the weekly newspaper at St. Ignatius and The Advertiser required a keen business sense. The first few years of the Mowbray operation were not easy due to a shaky economy.
From the start, she displayed a great sense of community that is essential to successful weekly newspapering. Management must keep news coverage objective, recognizing the various interests of residents in education, political matters, sports, government, business, and more. Blending all this into a balanced, ethical manner is touchy – especially as conflicts develop. It’s a good training ground for legislators.
Added to this is the relationship between employer and employees, making workers know that they are people not just numbers. I realized this as I worked on a part-time basis for the Mowbray management – filling in as needed for illnesses, vacations, emergencies, etc. I appreciated that caring, family feel.
The other candidates seeking their party’s nomination to the Senate are good people. I hope we’re still friends! But because of my long experience with the Mowbray family, I’ll be voting for her on Election Day.
Paul Fugleberg
Polson
Vote for Janna
Pro-life Republicans voting in the State Senate District 6 primary should vote for Janna Taylor. Last session, both Rep. Taylor and Sen. Carmine Mowbray considered HB 456, which would have allowed Planned Parenthood to write sex education books used in our school’s health curriculum. I’ve personally seen the books and they are, frankly, embarrassing. The books intended for kindergarteners depict full cartoon nudity and a variety of sexual positions. It was graphic. It was inappropriate.
Thankfully, Rep. Taylor voted against the bill, but Sen. Mowbray, who claims to be pro-life, voted for Planned Parenthood. Voters must be wary of candidates who say one thing but vote another. Please join me and scores of other pro-life Republicans who will be voting for the truly pro-life candidate, Janna Taylor, on June 5.
Michael O’Brien
St. Ignatius
Trusler for commissioner
Our Lake County Commissioner Paddy Trusler works tirelessly for us.
I’m Ruth Hodges, your former Clerk and Recorder here to tell you that we have never had a Commissioner who genuinely cares more for us and our environment than Paddy Trusler.
Paddy listens, observes and researches the issues and is prepared to make necessary, difficult decisions. Paddy understands the County Budgeting process. He is vigilant in monitoring the budget throughout the year. He is conscientious and does everything he can to make our valuable tax dollars go as far as possible. He is open and respectful of public input.
Paddy’s history and experience in Lake County serves him well when making decisions about the future of Lake County. He is willing to listen to ideas and suggestions and explore opportunities to supplement our limited tax dollars.
Paddy has a proven record of public service. We need to retain Paddy Trusler as our Lake County Commissioner.
Ruth Hodges
Polson
Student newspaper
I’ve read this great student newspaper for 11 years now and until a couple years ago even passed it on to teachers I knew in other states. About two years ago, I noticed a downward change and this so-called contest is one of the reasons.
The addition of this, nonsensical Schwabby column is not in keeping with the values of the Polson High School my daughter graduated from in 2003. I am sure that it is an amateur attempt at humor but the not so subtle underlying message is obvious... liberalism through and through.
I have read before Mr. Schwabby’s negative comments on family values and marriage but his comments in this column are downright offensive to every serviceman or woman and specifically every Vietnam veteran. For Mr. Schwabby to refer to Senator McCain as “How right the Vietnamese were to bayonet him...” Well, Mr. Schwabby wouldn’t be teaching in my school.
He goes on to say he went to Vietnam and they didn’t bayonet him because he wasn’t dropping bombs. If he publicly said about their leaders what he said about ours, even today, he’d find himself in a labor camp for a spell. His attitude has no place in education!
It is right in America that each of us have the right to our opinion. It is not about politics one way or the other. It is not okay for teachers to push their views, conservative or liberal, on our students. Mr. Schwabby does this on a regular basis.
I guess that’s a vote for Pope.
Schwabby you should be ashamed and apologize in the next edition.
Ed Kugler
Big Arm
Support Taylor
I am writing to urge voters to support Janna Taylor for Senate District 6. Janna has been our elected representative for eight years and knows how things work over in Helena. My wife and Janna were some of the founding members of the Lake County Republican Women’s Club. For converting my wife to register ‘Republican’ (a goal I had failed for decades), I began to follow and admire Janna’s voting record. That record has proven to be consistant and conservative over the years. While there are many good things to say about the other candidates, should we react to campaign attacks without confirming the facts? Those who know Janna, know that she is fearless, compassionate, hard working and competent, not only in election trials, but during her entire years of service. It’s just too risky to elect someone when you don’t know for sure how they’ll vote to protect your interests. I know how Janna will vote, and so do you. Let’s vote for Janna Taylor.
James R. Sisler
Big Arm
Free speech
There is good reason to applaud our country’s commitment to free speech and to the free press. Such provisions give rise to the recent letter from James Pettit in which he freely states his opinions which have consequences for us all. This is good. All citizens would be wise to encourage open expression. Free speech gives the rest of the citizenry the opportunity to fully examine the proponent’s accuracy and adequacy of thinking.
Mr. Pettit claims that Christianity is increasing. Perhaps it is increasing - and perhaps not. Many surveys are also indicating that there is a steadily increasing trend of non-believers in the USA. In 1990 the report was that 8 percent did not follow supernatural beliefs, and in 2008 this had increased to 15 percent. Especially revealing is that the greatest trend is in the younger population where there is now 25 percent non-believers. This foretells the future.
The highest percentage of non-believers is in Vermont (34 percent). The lowest is Mississippi (5 percent). Montana is ranked at position No. 13 (21 percent) which is higher than the overall U.S. average (15 percent).
Of greater concern are Pettit’s allusions to Obama as a Muslim, a Jihadist, a Marxist, a lier (sic), and definitely a non-Christian. Pettit frames the terms “good” and “evil” as polarizing descriptions of the mazes of complicated issues at hand in the upcoming election. He is free to do so. And, in return, his views deserve critical examination.
One of Pettit’s views which deserves special consideration is that the USA is (or should be) a Christian nation. Not so. One of our greatest strengths is that the U.S. can exist with a tolerance for wide-ranging beliefs. And this will increasingly include non-belief of supernatural explanations.
Personally, I find Pettit’s views to be abhorrent - and I invite him to say more.
Gene Johnson
Polson
Politics and Christianity
Most Christians know all our battles are spiritual, and we try to do what Jesus would do and say what Jesus would say, except in politics. We judge and blame and get mad at men and parties. Is that of God? No. Judge not, that ye be not judged. Matthew 7:1
Obama, according to the Bible, should not have given his approval for same sex marriage. Was that stupid? Yes. I have lost people I loved to AIDS and love people who are gay and lesbian. Do they live a life of sin? Yes. Does God love them? Yes. Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
So you love them and pray for them just as Jesus would. I have lost friends that claimed they were Christians, they loved me until they found out how I voted. They wanted no part of me in their life. Is that of God? No. Division — is that what Jesus wants? No. We are one in Christ. There is neither Jewish nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. Gal.3:28
So know your enemy, it is not Republicans, Democrats, Obama or Romney. Do any of you question why we have a choice right now between a professed Christian, who satan is having a hay day with and a Mormon, why is it we do not pray and act like Christians in politics, judging, division, anger, forked tongues, what of this is of God? Please recognize who and what you are fighting.
Eph 6:10: 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
Ask yourself if you are having bad feelings just reading this why, and why we do not act like brothers and sisters in Christ in politics. Pray for your leader he is being attacked from all sides by man and spirit.
Patricia Lundgren
Polson
Thank you
The Polson High School Rodeo Club would like to thank Tim and Kelly Bagnell of B Bar Heart Performance Horses, Les Schwab Tire Center in Polson, Glacier Bank in Polson, and Lee and Pam Lytton of Lytton Horseshoeing for their generous financial support. Because of our sponsors’ support and the efforts of Lee and Pam Lytton, the PHS Rodeo Club has grown to become an exciting and well-attended club on campus. Thank you for all of the work you do for our club, school, and community.
Polson High School Rodeo Club
Vote Christopher
It is a privilege and honor to have an opportunity to offer this letter to the electors of Lake and Sanders counties recommending that they re-elect Deborah Kim Christopher to the office of District Judge in the 2012 election.
During the 16 years that I served as Chief Justice of the Montana Supreme Court, I had the opportunity to observe the management of Montana District Judges in their Courts. Judge Christopher managed her court duties with diligence, intelligence and fairness. The depth of her experience is impressive.
After graduation, Judge Christopher enlisted in the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corp, the legal branch of the army, and served with honor as a Captain and Trial Counsel. During her Army Service, she was awarded the National Defense Medal for her service in Desert Storm, the Army Airborne Parachute Badge and the Army Commendation medal.
After her Army service, Judge Christopher returned to Lake County and was twice elected to the Office of the County Attorney. Judge Christopher has twice been elected as District Judge for Lake and Sanders counties.
The electors of Lake and Sanders counties by re-electing Judge Christopher to the office of District Judge in the 2012 election will have made a wise decision.
J.A. Turnage
Polson
Parental control
Many viewpoints have been offered regarding the voting record of Senator Carmine Mowbray, particularly her vote on HB-456 in the 2011 legislative session. The following is the introductory language regarding HB-456:
An act allowing for parental control over student participation in courses of instruction involving human sexual education; requiring a school district to inform a parent or guardian when events or courses on human sexuality will be held or taught; prohibiting a school district from allowing any abortion services provider to offer materials or instructions at a school; amending section 20-5-103, MCA; and providing an effective date.
Regarding the second reading of this bill, Carmen voted in support of this legislation; however, on the third reading, she voted against the bill (the only Republican to change their vote). Janna Taylor voted in support of HB-456, including the house vote to override the governor’s veto. I believe reasonable people may debate respectfully all issues. However, when the issue is objectively disordered, any support of an objectively disordered issue is simply wrong, such as Carmen’s opposition to parental control of matters involving public education. As a result of that vote, we have learned two things about Carmen: that she supports sex education being provided in public education, an act that clealy usurps parental responsibilities, and that parents must opt their child out to avoid the poison that is being served through public school sex education. One of the many unique characteristics of HB-456 was that parents could “opt in” if they wanted their child to participate in public school sex education; otherwise, the responsibility of teaching one’s child the birds and the bees would reside within the home. The evidence is clear that public classroom sex education has helped promote sexual promiscuity among our adolescent population. Janna Taylor voted to affirm parental control in public education; whereas, Carmen voted against parental control. Carmen was wrong on this issue.
Sam Marshall
Polson