Thanks food drive donations
To the editor,
The 21st annual Northwest Montana Association of Realtors Harvest Food Drive was again a huge success. The generous citizens of our community enabled us to collect more than 2,450 pounds of food to benefit the Columbia Falls Food Bank.
Thank you, Columbia Falls, for showing — once again — what a caring, giving community you are.
Your friends and neighbors at
Coldwell Banker Wachholz, Columbia Falls
Columbia Falls Real Estate and Rentals
Meadow Lake Realty
RE/MAX Mountain View
Citizen's Title
Freedom Bank
Glacier Bank
Extending Glacier Park's facilities openings a plus
To the editor,
In the Oct. 11 issue, a letter written by Tina St. John-Horner caught my attention. I would like to add my thoughts to the subject of extending the length of time that Glacier National Park is open.
On a recent trip from northern Utah, through the Tetons and Yellowstone, we arrived in this section of Montana and were awe-struck by the beauty of Glacier National Park and all that it has to offer. We were, however, surprised to find a vast majority of facilities were in the process of closing or had previously closed for the season. We spent time in St. Mary, Many Glacier, East and West Glacier and Apgar Village near Lake McDonald and found a few shops still open, but most were having their "closing for the season" sales.
As far as I'm concerned, the last part of September through the first part of October is one of the best times to travel. Crowds are down in number and the colors of the fall season are in full display, adding an extra dimension to the already scenic landscape. We had also planned to explore the Going-to-the-Sun Road and were quite disappointed to learn that it was closed in mid-September for construction.
Despite the "restricted" experience we had, I would most certainly consider a return trip to Glacier. If the NPS cannot be persuaded to keep things going until the fall travelers have had their opportunity to enjoy this national treasure, I guess I will have to make plans for the summer. I think it is well known that federal tax dollars are used in running our National Park system, which we all pay into. Too bad there are only a select group who can completely benefit from them. The choices made by NPS affect us all — for good or ill.
Kevin Mikkelsen
North Ogden, Utah
Thanks for support of Wilderness fundraiser
To the editor,
The Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation and Swan Ecosystem Center would like to thank the volunteers and businesses in western Montana for making our annual fundraising event a success. The Voices of the Wilderness, an art exhibition and silent auction to support wilderness trail work in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, Swan Range and Mission Mountains Wilderness, took place at the Hockaday Museum of Art in Kalispell on Oct. 5.
In addition to the art show and auction, the event highlighted the Artist-Wilderness-Connection, a partnership program that places professional working artists of various disciplines in remote forest cabins for a week to deepen their creative connection to the wilderness.
Contributing Montana artists Jane Latus Emmert, Myni Ferguson, Mike Patterson and Carol Poppenga, whose art was inspired by their recent wilderness experiences, were special guests. Each artist completed a week-long residency with the Artist-Wilderness-Connection program. This program is offered by the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation, Flathead National Forest, Hockaday Museum of Art, and Swan Ecosystem Center.
The silent auction featured donated art and handmade items by many northwest Montana artists and businesses. Artist donors included Carol Poppenga, Jane Latus Emmert, Karin Connelly, Michael Patterson, Mark Ogle, Patti Grant Robinson, Bob and Ruth Korn, Lee Proctor, Allen Jimmerson, Deliah Albee and Eric Reese in addition to many other local artists. Business donors included Barney Jette Jewelry, Outfitter Supply, Walking Man Frame Shop and Gallery, Mi Casa Pottery, Montana Earth Pottery and Markle Pottery. We would also like to thank all of the individuals who donated art, other creations and services for our event.
Three people deserve special thanks. Carol Poppenga contributed a "quick draw" painting that was created during the event and auctioned live that evening. Beth Hodder, retired Forest Service, read from her book: "The Ghost of Schafer Meadows." A big thank you also to Edd Blackler who did a great job with the live auction!
We are grateful for our financial sponsors, including Flathead Beverage Company, Glacier Bank, Brett Thuma Gallery, Bruce Boody Landscape Architect and Lookout Ridge LLC. Food and beverage sponsors include Simple Chef Catering, Rocky Mountain Wine, The Knead Cafe and Big Sky Brewery.
Finally, we would like to thank everyone who attended our event as well as the Hockaday Museum of Art for providing the location and assistance.
Thanks again to the generous people and businesses that have donated both their time and money to support wilderness!
Carla Cline Belski, Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation
Anne Dahl, Swan Ecosystem Center
MHC clarifies Law and Justice Center information
To the editor,
The Montana Heritage Commission (MHC) would like to clarify information about the Law and Justice Center proposed for Virginia City. I have read several letters referring readers to us for comments and requesting a change in the plans for the Justice Center. Please know, this project is under the sole jurisdiction of the Madison County Commission. Public comments and concerns about their proposal need to go to the Madison County Commission, P.O. Box 278, Virginia City, MT 59755.
The MHC manages the state historic properties in Virginia City and Nevada City. We understand that many residents are concerned about potential changes to the town; however, the decision on the county's proposal will be determined by the voters of Madison County. I greatly appreciate everyone's interest in our historic sites.
Paul Reichert, executive director
Montana Heritage Commission
Help bring post office back to Martin City
To the editor,
I am writing about the post office in Martin City. I want to pass on to our community that there are people working on getting the post office back, so don't give up and think we have to get our mail in Hungry Horse from here on out. BUT, we definitely need their help.
Doug Cordier sent out letters to everyone and gave the address of the fella we all need to write to. I would also like to put his address and e-mail address in the paper to remind folks to please be active in this matter — so the postal service knows by visual letters that we all care about a post office in our town. A letter will make them listen to the desires of this community. It will take all of you, taking the time and writing to show how you feel.
Please don't leave this up to just your neighbor or the thinking of the times, "Oh, they will take care of it"… THEY is you and me, and there is no THEY out there. So PLEASE, PLEASE take the time to write or e-mail: John J. DiPeri, U.S. Postal Service, 841 S. 26th St., Billings, MT 59101-9631 or john.j.diperi@usps.gov.
Judy Rabidue
Martin City
Commission ignores property owner protection
In spite of repeated concerns expressed by our organization, our members and the public at large at public meetings on Flathead County's proposed Interim Subdivision Regulations that there were serious questionable legal aspects to what was being proposed. On Aug. 1, Flathead County Commissioners Gary Hall, Joe Brenneman and Dale Lauman voted to adopt those regulations.
The actions of this county commission ignored Constitutional protections for property owners, the intent of the Montana Legislature through laws enacted to guarantee those protections, and the legitimate concerns of many Flathead County property owners.
Since the adoption of these new land use regulations and at the direction of the County Commission, the County is considering the addition of even more restrictions to the use of private property for inclusion in the County's new Subdivision Regulations, that have little if any basis in law.
One proposed addition to the new County Subdivision Regulations would eliminate the ability of Flathead County families to pass their property on to their children or grandchildren through "Family Transfers." This proposal has already been given a "positive" recommendation by the Flathead County Planning Board!
On Oct. 18, again at the direction of the Flathead County Commission, the planning board is to consider the county commissions' plan to include new private property restrictions in the County's Subdivision Regulations that will severely restrict the use of rural private property through new "River, Stream and Riparian" setback requirements. This proposal, that again ignores the requirements of state law, will impact approximately 140,000 acres of private land. If adopted, it will represent the largest "taking" of private property without compensation that has ever been proposed in the state of Montana!
Unfortunately, our organization, American Dream Montana, has come to the conclusion that this county commission has left the property owners in Flathead County with little choice. Therefore, on Oct. 18, on behalf of our members and all property owners in Flathead County concerned with the erosion of their rights to acquire, possess and use their property in a lawful manner as is their right, our organization is filing a lawsuit naming Flathead County and its Board of County Commissioners as defendants. This lawsuit raises serious legal questions concerning numerous private property restrictions contained in the County's new Subdivision Regulations. Further, American Dream Montana has reserved the right to include any future legally questionable amendments to those regulations, such as the proposals mentioned, in that lawsuit if they are adopted.
It is the hope of American Dream Montana that the unfortunate necessity of this lawsuit will ultimately lead to a realization on the part of county government that on issues as important as our private property and property rights, Flathead County will be held accountable to the "Rule of Law." We believe that given the past and present history on land use issues of this County Commission, our prevailing in this lawsuit will ultimately benefit us all — citizens, property owners and those public officials privileged to represent us.
Russell Crowder is the chairman of American Dream Montana.
Legislators should focus on Flathead
I am writing to express my complete and utter disappointment in Sen. Greg Barkus and Rep. John Sonju in serving as leaders in our community. It seems as if slinging political mud at the governor of our state is their number one priority — if not their only priority.
In a recent letter to the governor, our representatives from the Flathead Valley felt compelled to grill him on his degree of support for dirty, conventional coal-fired power plants in Montana. Never mind for a second that these plants are leading emitters of toxic heavy metals and global warming pollutants.
Just as Mr. Barkus and Mr. Sonju are seeking clarification from the governor, I would ask them to clarify their position on coal development in Montana: Is their support for coal so absolute that they would support a coal-fired power plant in the Flathead Valley? Or is their support for dirty coal-fired power plants limited to the good folks and communities in eastern Montana?
Whatever their answer, Mr. Barkus and Mr. Sonju are clearly out of sync with the challenges we face in western Montana. Coal field development in British Columbian Flathead is a serious, eminent threat to the water quality of Flathead Lake and Glacier National Park. While other local elected officials — such as County Commissioner Dale Lauman and Sen. Weinberg — are vocal leaders for the protection of our water quality from Canadian coalfield development, the silence from Mr. Barkus and Mr. Sonju has been deafening.
It is time to remove the far-right ideological blinders that dictate the actions of many of the state legislators from our neck of the woods and wake up to the fact that the Flathead Valley is undergoing profound changes. Protecting water quality and our special quality of life will be a tremendous challenge as China's appetite for British Columbian coal continues to rise and people continue to move to this special place.
It would be helpful if our state legislators would focus their efforts on issues that actually matter to our local community. Rather than trying to catch the governor in a cheap partisan game of "gotcha," Mr. Barkus and Mr. Sonju should use their positions of leadership to address the serious challenges we face in protecting the Flathead Valley and River from industrial coal field development and unplanned urban sprawl.
John de Neeve is legislative candidate for House District 8.