Film not accurate

To the editor,

I was very skeptical about being filmed for the documentary The Fire Next Time. Many people could have expressed our views better than myself. I hoped I could get some facts to the public concerning forest issues.

J.B. Stone and I not only presented the film crew with the truth, but we then took them to the woods and showed it to them. They themselves couldn't understand why environmentalists pushed some of their garbage.

Producer Patrice O'Neill commented, "But they seem so sincere."

I told her that Hitler was sincere while killing millions of Jews. Sadaam Hussein was sincere while gassing and murdering thousands of his own people. I asked her if being sincere made it right. I told her that their sincerity was P.R. (public relations). Without their P.R., people would realize the truth. Environmentalist funding would dry up, and their phony movement would become just a bad memory.

The film make issues of things that don't exist. It focused on Brenda Kitterman, who came to the Flathead and brought existing problems with her.

They tried to pin these problems on John Stokes.

We were fighting environmentalist lies long before John showed up. We picked up the pace because we were losing, not because of John.

The film did not paint an accurate picture of what's really going on in the Flathead, or how the majority of the people feel. The meetings afterward talked of compromise and civility. I wish that would happen, but we've played that game for too many years and it doesn't work.

The Flathead's problems won't be settled until we base land-use decisions on facts and unbiased science. Until then, don't expect those affected to sit back and be "nice" while our lives and lively hoods are destroyed by environmentalist lies and misconceptions.

Scott Daumiller

Kalispell

Wants investigation

To the editor,

It's been a year since two reported rapes occurred during October 2003. One happened in the Whitefish area and the other followed a very short time later in Columbia Falls.

It was big news initially, and I believe the Flathead County Sheriff's Office created a special task force to investigate the rape near Whitefish. But they still have not told the community whether these were actual rapes, and if the rapists were ever identified and apprehended. This lack of information about the investigation hasn't helped to alleviate anxieties that many females still feel about these terrible crimes of violence, nor does it quell the rumors that still abound.

Women in general, families with daughters, female employees of Whitefish businesses, all had to endure a very tense and traumatic time last fall and winter. Some business owners paid to have extra staff on duty as escorts for employees who had to work after dark. Money was spent adding extra security to homes around the area.

There was implied danger, and we all did our part to become more aware, be smarter about self protection, be on the lookout for leads, and yet remain calm and go about our daily business.

Those in control of the situation failed to provide meaningful information about the status of things. We were told there was physical evidence (DNA) collected for evidence that could help to identify a suspect. It was reported that the two assaults were particularly violent and done by an unknown attacker. Did one man do both assaults?

These were very unusual crimes for the Flathead Valley, and yet the investigation went completely cold without any explanation form, the authorities. If the man is still at large, then possibly a cold-case investigation by specially trained investigators could help to solve the crimes.

We deserve meaningful answers. We've had very little updated information from the sheriff's office. What we did learn was from our local newspaper. After they rekindled the matter, all they were able to glean from direct interviews was sparse, vague and guarded information. Kalispell experienced a similar crime, a reported rape at gun point in the shopping mall. Their police department got right on the case, and after a brief investigation reported to the public that the event was a hoax. The "victim" was not really a victim but someone who made false reports to the police for her own motivation.

The Kalispell police cleared the air, and its citizens were not looking over their shoulders for a nonexistent bogeyman. Kalispell police should be commended for doing such a good, thorough and quick job of investigation, and then reporting the outcome to the public.

So what is the current status of the rape investigations of last October in the North Valley? Are the cases any closer to being solved? Could the Kalispell police assist the sheriff's office's special task force in completing its investigation? These events should not be ignored. They shouldn't be hushed no matter what the actual outcome really were. No news leaves the citizens to speculate. A good investigation includes periodic news reports to reassure the people - that something is still being done about these crimes.

Lisa Nagel

Whitefish

Editor's note: The Hungry Horse News did write an update in June saying the rapes were not connected.

Be a bell ringer

To the editor,

I am writing to encourage everyone who has any time between Thanksgiving and Christmas to call the Salvation Army and sign up to be a bell ringer. When you volunteer to ring the bell, you receive much more than you give. Why do I ring? During my childhood, I remember dropping coins into a pot covered with chicken wire; a woman in a uniform stood behind it ringing a bell. I knew I was making someone's Christmas better with my pennies.

Now my heart soars when I watch parents give their children coins and send them to me. Sometimes they are shy. I let them ring the bell and explain how their money will be used. Everyone goes away smiling. I also have been treated to conversations with World War II veterans applauding the Salvation Army's work while they were serving our country.

Ringing the bell provides a wonderful opportunity for adults to be a role model. I volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters and I know how powerful one's example can be.

Please consider ringing the bell this year. It will be a gift to yourself to see the "true" meaning of Christmas.

By the way, I know there are many pots all over the valley, and some of you sometimes feel guilty not putting in money when you pass me.

Some have even shared they've given at another store.

Please don't allow the cheerful sound of a bell make you sad - just think of the song "Silver Bells," smile and donate whenever you are able.

Let your heart be your guide. May God Bless You as you consider helping others this Christmas.

Jean Ambrose

Kalispell