The barber pole is issue here

This letter is of my own opinion. I understand Melissa Franklin’s love for her barber pole. It has been a symbol of the barbering trade worldwide for more than five centuries. I would think she would have gotten a barber’s license to begin with.

When she came to Montana from California and applied for her cosmetologist license from Montana, she was given the state rules book.

She also is sent any updates and changes as they become effective. She should have known the rules, updates and additions.

The Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists has reduced the training from 1,500 hours to 150 hours for cosmetologists who want to get their barber’s license. Ms. Franklin says she has hard-training and experience, which I’m sure she has.

To license her for barbering also includes shaving, free-hand clipper cutting, sanitation and rules. Without this training, I would think it would leave her and the state board open for trouble. The board has been very liberal, with only 150 hours of training.

As far as an historical barber pole goes, Joe’s Barber Shop in Kalispell has had the same pole for more than 60 years. Maybe the historians should look at that.

The barber pole is the only issue here. Ms. Franklin is not being restricted from cutting hair any way she wants. She doesn’t have to change her shop. She can still have all her customers. She just can’t keep the pole displayed until she gets the barber license; then she can display the pole.

Board members are appointed by the governor. I feel they are a very dedicated group of people with knowledge of their trade. They are doing the state a great service by trying to do their best for the citizens of Montana.

Ed Dutton, of Libby, is a barber and a member of the Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists, although he is writing on his own behalf only.