Letters to the Editor

Conservation bond

What a breath of fresh air! The Flathead County Commissioners are considering putting a land and water conservation bond on the November ballot.

Such a move will prove widely popular and would help protect our natural beauty, clean water and access to hunting, fishing and outdoors. That sounds like a good deal to me.

The Siderius family has been in the Flathead Valley for 100 years. I have been around much of that time and - believe me- I have seen a lot of change!

But some things should not change. We should always have clean water that is the envy of the rest of the world. We should always have access to hunting, fishing, lakes and streams. We should always protect our natural beauty and richest soil (they aren't making any more of it).

That is why I support a land and water bond aimed specifically at conserving those things through voluntary conservation agreements. Any investment we make will return itself many times.

No doubt, the usual nay-sayers will voice their opinions and try to sow doubts. But those opinions do not reflect the facts or mainstream values. Most people in the Flathead agree that our clean water and outdoor traditions are critical to our economy and way of life in the Flathead Valley and we need to protect it as we grow and develop.

A land and water bond is a proven way of doing just that. That's why so many fast growing counties like Missoula, Ravalli and Gallatin have already passed such bonds. Some of them twice.

Look around one of these beautiful summer evenings. Isn't the magnificent Flathead Valley something to invest in? Yes!

Ken Siderius

Creston

No votes for Ron Paul

About the currently surfacing idea of writing in Ron Paul for President in November: From what I know of Dr. Paul, he is a highly principled, sincere politician. I think he is the last person who would want to be a spoiler in the upcoming election. Anyone who calls himself or herself a Republican and writes in Ron Paul is essentially voting against John McCain and for Barack Obama. Not a good choice in my opinion.

Carol Cummings

Polson

MCC helping out

From August 11 to August 14 and from August 18 to August 22 the Montana Conservation Corps Sunshine Crew will take part in a West Glacier National Park Revegetation Project. The six person crew will repair. The five person crew will collect seeds at various sites throughout the park, and will also complete general nursery work including weeding and potting.

The Montana Conservation Corps Sunshine Crew is based in Kalispell. Their work extends throughout surrounding national parks and forests of the Flathead Valley. The MCC is an Ameri-Corps program which strives to provide young people with the skills and values necessary to develop beneficial, sustainable, and lasting contributions to the environment and to the community.

Zoe Zulakis