Wrong choice to kill bear

To the editor,

As an out-of-state resident who loves to travel to Glacier to see bears and support Montana's local economy, I am greatly disappointed at the park's decision to kill the "Oldman Lake" grizzly. The park administration could have continued to work with her for as long as they needed to. The "gentle soul" deserved better.

We don't allow bears to live in Central Park in NYC and we don't allow them to hang around the Sears Tower in downtown Chicago. Where are bears to live, if they can't live peacefully in Glacier National Park?

My husband and I have a trip schedule for Glacier this fall, but now I don't know. Glacier is no longer the same place!

Charlotte Heldstab

Normal, Ill.

Now's the time for leadership

To the editor,

Eight years of Bush provided an utter lack of leadership and commitment to the real needs of Americans. Additionally, Republican policies favoring unregulated corporate greed, huge tax breaks for the rich and corporations, and the extraordinary costs of the unnecessary Iraq war have broken our economy.

We know our new president inherited a list of problems possibly as serious as any in history. Not shrinking from these challenges he tackled them head-on, repeatedly warning us to be patient, that it wouldn't be easy, the problems being complex, risky and expensive. Now we must move quickly and decisively on the economy, reforming heath care and the cap-and-trade reform of our energy program. If we don't, if we delay, or if we water-down our efforts, the future costs in these areas will become truly staggering.

Unfortunately, after eight years of failure, the Republicans, desperate to rebuild their political status, have truly become the party of obstruction, saying "no" to the Democrats and independents who are actively debating and problem-solving the critical issues facing our country. They offer nothing new, still voicing the same old discredited ideas from the Bush administration, and still pushing scare tactics with untruths and innuendos.

In this vital moment, America needs us to become well-informed, to contact our representatives with ideas, questions and concerns. We need to listen to the real problem-solvers, both political leaders and non-partisan experts, and support wise and intelligent changes necessary for real progress. Do not be swayed by the noisy nay-sayers and obstructionists.

Don Kiehn

East Glacier

Let planning do their job

To the editor,

Kudos to the County Commissioners and Jeff Harris for their courteous and professional response to the lawsuit brought by anti-planning "American Dream Montana," the vacuous ramblings of a deposed commissioner, and the "I wasn't notified" allegations of disgruntled Somers land owners. Hiring an independent investigator is, unfortunately, a necessary response.

Does a recent guest opinion in the Daily Inter Lake sound like a broken record? This current witch hunt uses the same nit-picking innuendo and associated propaganda espoused eight years ago to break up city/county cooperative planning. An example of Dale Williams' inane accusations is his reference to members of the planning staff attending a Las Vegas conference and renting rooms with a "Jacuzzi at the foot of the bed" and a "walk-in shower big enough for a small army." The planning office offered receipts for three planners, one female and two male, spending $135 plus taxes and fees for two standard rooms. The hotel supervisor confirmed there was no walk-in shower or Jacuzzi in the room.

Make no mistake, "American Dream Montana" and associates want land use planning stopped with each property owner developing as he likes. Chaos would result! Planning office ongoing studies of issues such as road, waters, fire protection, law enforcement and other amenities would be ignored.

As for FCPZ (Flathead County Planning & Zoning), quite possibly more comprehensive guidelines to owners seeking neighborhood plans could be helpful. Certainly there needs to be clarification as to extent and timing of FCPZ involvement. We need to remember, however, any citizens may investigate the process of land use planning, and FCPZ is an informational tool to which they have a right.

Most property owners care about property rights! But they care even more that development protects the natural resources of this valley and considers the limitations of the infrastructure. In spite of the propaganda efforts of anti-planning forces, responsible land owners in the valley have attended meetings, learned, given input and supported the current growth policy which gives guidelines for responsible development.

Let the capable, professionally trained planning staff do their job.

Shirley Anderson

Kalispell