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  • Where is democracy going?

    Don Larson, Seeley Lake, Montana|Jan 7, 2021

    Senator Steve Daines is one of 12 senators who have decided your vote doesn’t count. Those officials, led by Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, have organized to protest Joe Biden’s victory and are making a futile effort to unseat the President-elect. By this action Senator Daines is ignoring the Constitution he has sworn to uphold. While most of us democrats have long-felt a vote for Mr. Daines is wasted, this new twist suggests these officials are telling you ALSO, your vote doesn’t matter. To hell with the will of the people. Makes you wonder where...

  • Get involved and let Democracy prevail

    Colleen Krause, Seeley Lake, Montana|Dec 31, 2020

    LOCAL SEELEY LAKE BUSINESSMEN ARE SUING THE SEELEY LAKE SEWER DISTRICT!! As you may already know from the Pathfinder this past week, several of your local businessmen are suing the Seeley Lake Sewer District. Their names and John Does are in last week’s Pathfinder. They are seeking TO FORCE THE DISTRICT TO CONSTRUCT THE PROPOSED SEWER SYSTEM. It is my opinion that they are doing this to benefit themselves, as I know they all own several lots in the sewer district that they probably want to develop. It is also my strong opinion that they d...

  • The importance of severing ties with the Chinese Communist Party

    Katherine Combes, Kalispell, Montana|Dec 31, 2020

    It seems that the lies and disinformation from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) keeps getting worse. With China concealing information about the coronavirus, the world has been caught unprepared and it is a threat to everyone on the planet. The CCP's suppression of people who tried to warn the world of its severity is well known. The brutality that China enforces on people who try to tell the truth and make their leaders accountable is also suppressed. People practicing their faith in China, including Christians, Falun Gong practitioners,...

  • Spread out the giving, cover all ages in generosity

    Steve Thompson, Seeley Lake, Montana|Dec 24, 2020

    SEELEY LAKE - ‘We wish you a Merry Christmas, We wish you a Merry Christmas...’ I would like to begin by wishing each and everyone in the Seeley/Swan area a very safe, relaxing and rejuvenating holiday season. This is a season of giving and receiving. Mountain Lakes Presbyterian Church has been involved with the local “Giving Tree” for the past 30+ years. This has allowed us to connect with many families in the area and, hopefully, bring a bit of cheer to them. The “Santa Helper Patrol” has just finished wrapping all of the presents an...

  • State leadership needs to carefully consider direction

    Don Larson, Seeley Lake, Montana|Dec 24, 2020

    The Federal Government has only the powers specifically enumerated to it...all other powers accrue to the states. That’s the way the U.S. Constitution reads. However we all know, because it controls the big purse strings, the Feds make state and local governments beggar “socialist” states, ready and waiting for the myriad federal aid program handouts. And because the Fed controls these purse strings, it dictates much of what state and local leaders do. Our new Montana leaders, many of whom will take office next month, need to carefully exami...

  • Stop and look - A shift in perspective

    Thomas Beers, Missoula, Montana|Dec 24, 2020

    The following is a poem written by my girlfriend, Jasmine. I wanted to share it as I believe it captures our adventures in and around the beautiful mountains surrounding Seeley Lake, but also is a reminder to stop and look at life from a different perspective. Thomas Beers The Pair That Started Everything By: Jasmine Schreckendgust Awake Dive into you and feel immediate comfort Vast country awaits Each memory starts with you Now begin my gray and blue Take my feet Unwrap this earth Right beneath me Each step unravels The First True Test Open th...

  • Conserving grizzly bears takes self responsibility

    Jessianne Castle, Marion, Montana|Dec 3, 2020

    Randy Newberg doesn’t carry a sidearm. Clocking some 100 days every year exploring the unbound—and often bear-laden—pockets of the American landscape, Newberg says when it comes to a bear attack, he’d leave his trust in an aerosol rather than a piece of lead. It’s a personal decision, one that is the right of each individual who steps foot in the woods, but for Newberg, carrying bear spray is a no-brainer. Newberg is a hunter who calls Bozeman, Montana his home. He is the producer of two popular TV shows, “Fresh Tracks” and “On Your Own Advent...

  • Please reconsider your Holiday plans

    Tanya and Alistair Fyfe, Seeley Lake, Montana|Nov 26, 2020

    Many of you know that I’m a veterinarian. My husband Alistair is a family physician working on the front lines at a walk-in/urgent care clinic in downtown Bismarck, North Dakota. He has been one of five doctors doing the majority of COVID testing there since this pandemic took hold and sees 50-80 patients a day. We are also both from Canada and our connections there are going through a nightmare right now. With my epidemiology and Alistair’s microbiology backgrounds we hope to put some facts into perspective regarding the upcoming holiday seaso...

  • Thank you for your vote!

    Shannon OBrien, Missoula, Montana|Nov 12, 2020

    Dear friends, thank you for electing me to represent you as the next Montana State Senator for District 46. I am grateful beyond words for your support. My opponent Niki Sardot, ran a fair and civilized race. Niki graciously reached out to me in congratulations, it was a class act. I’m relieved, grateful, honored and ready to get to work. Mostly however, I recognize that we are a nation divided. Let’s look for the good in others, help out when we can, smile and give a wave to our neighbors. It’s so simple, but so urgently needed right now....

  • The message from Republican sweep

    Don Larson, Seeley Lake, Montana|Nov 12, 2020

    The Seeley-Swan, and Montana generally, stayed red this past election cycle. What are the messages in this continued move to the right? Voters are apparently demanding less government, less in-your-face regulation and permitting, lower taxes and, presumably, fewer government “services.” That might even go as far as reduced funding for public education, welfare assistance and environmental protection programs. So, now that we have a Republican governor, a republican legislature and we have re-elected Republican Mike Hopkins to represent us up...

  • Bringing the joy of Halloween back to Riverview Drive

    Steve and Cheri Thompson, Seeley Lake, Montana|Nov 5, 2020

    Isn’t it great that Halloween 2020 was last week and not one week ago? Imagine all of those little fairies, goblins and pirates dragging their soggy costumes through 14 inches (I know there are reports of upwards of 20 inches but let’s just settle on 14 inches - that’s enough for October) of October snow. Those adorable “Halloweeners” would be wallowing through Seeley Lake’s “entry into winter” and slowly dragging their costumed selves through the slop and making their way to the next “trick or treat” location. We would like to thank all t...

  • Monica Tranel for Public Service Commission

    Klaus von Stutterheim, Seeley Lake, Mont.|Oct 29, 2020

    The Public Service Commission (PSC) is not widely understood, but it is very important, because it sets the rates that we pay for utilities, like electricity, etc. The current Commission takes its marching orders from the utilities which they are supposed to regulate, and they do it with no regard for us, the end customers. MONICA TRANEL is one of the most extraordinary people I have met. Competing twice in the Olympics, Monica won a World Championship Gold for the U.S. Women’s Rowing Team, taking three Silvers and picking up a Bronze. She i...

  • Fielder's Response: The experience and skills I bring to PSC District 4

    Jennifer Fielder, Thompson Falls, Montana|Oct 29, 2020

    Have you noticed the political foes who spread rhetoric accusing me of supposedly horrible things never provide any evidence? If I had actually advocated the outlandish things they claim, where is the quote? Afterall, I’ve made hundreds of social media posts, written dozens of op-eds, given presentations all over the country (which are video recorded and posted on the internet), given dozens of media interviews, spoken on the record during legislative hearings at least 1,000 times and released thousands of requested emails. If I had said anythi...

  • Montana - The welfare state

    Don Larson, Seeley Lake, Montana|Oct 29, 2020

    For those voters who worry about Montana becoming a socialist state, you’re too late. Montana already IS a welfare state. We get more back in federal payments than we pay out to the federal government in taxes. The Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, veterans’ benefits, unemployment insurance and the Federal highway programs are just a few of the many federal programs we enjoy. And the CRP, crop rotation program that pays farmers to NOT produce, is one of the biggest welfare scams in the country. Think about that!...

  • Tranel - Helping Montana for the future

    Lauren and Jeff Willis, Missoula, Montana|Oct 29, 2020

    In this time of political division, pandemic and economic stress, we need something upon which we can all agree. Montanans all agree that we love our last best place. We all want to keep it that way. To that end, supporting our economy and keeping our natural resources pristine at the same time is paramount. That is why we are endorsing Monica Tranel for PSC. The Public Service Commission should keep the interests of Montanans at the forefront. This means that we should promote allowing farmers and ranchers to retain their land and generate ren...

  • Public land for public use

    Ken Kronsperger, Seeley Lake, Montana|Oct 22, 2020

    We hear again about the availability of the public lands for use by the owners of that land ––the PUBLIC. Both candidates for Montana Senate seat indicate they feel public lands need to be open to the public. Who exactly are they talking about? The term public to me tends to be inclusive and not exclusive. The Bob Marshall Wilderness is considered by many to be “public” lands. The Bob Marshall is classified to be public but that is not really true. The elderly and handicapped (27% of the public) are categorically denied access to the Wildern...

  • What my ballot will look like - Part three

    Klaus von Stutterheim, Seeley Lake, Montana|Oct 22, 2020

    Here is how I am voting: Judges, Propositions and Public Service Commission: http://kvs.org/vote/ballot-part1.pdf Five candidates: http://kvs.org/vote/ballot-part2.pdf My ballot: http://kvs.org/vote/ballot2020.pdf U.S. Senator: STEVE BULLOCK has done an outstanding job in difficult times. He expanded healthcare to 90,000 Montanans and kept rural hospitals open, balanced the budget and saved $60 million in our rainy day fund. His opponent takes credit for legislation he opposed, which passed anyway. He consistently votes against Montanans...

  • Grizzlies and garbage: A national topic

    Kathy Koors, Condon, Montana|Oct 22, 2020

    It is the harvest season, and a lot of living things, especially grizzly bears, have their minds on food. In the case of grizzly bears, the only thing they think about right now is food. While they think about food, I think about garbage. I work for the Living with Wildlife Foundation, in partnership with Flathead National Forest. I serve as the Swan Valley bear ranger, assisted by a dozen volunteers. We talk to campground visitors about grizzlies and garbage. Following last Sunday’s airing of “Coexisting with Grizzlies” on CBS 60 Minut...

  • Choices in conflict

    Bruce Bourne, Corvallis & Seeley Lake, Montana|Oct 22, 2020

    I found the letter to the Pathfinder titled “Vote like life depends on it” interesting and I thank the Pathfinder for printing the varied views of the community. I do have several concerns about the view expressed. First, the author’s view is based on her Christian belief. As most of you are aware, our country was founded on the idea of the separation of church and state. Mostly this was out of concern that people did not want the state messing with their religious freedoms. I believe turnabout is fair play. Why should a church be able to ge...

  • Experience matters

    Representative Mike Hopkins House District 92, Missoula, Montana|Oct 22, 2020

    If you got a mailer attacking my opponent, for the record that is not from me, and I disavow it. I do not do attack mailers, never have and never will. The interest earned off the current principle of the Coal Tax Trust Fund currently funds over 15 different programs in Montana. Those dollars back up Montana’s retirement systems, Montana’s schools, Montana’s Agriculture and infrastructure across the state just to name a few. Every session legislators try to spend that principle on all kinds of things, but Democrats in the legislature have done...

  • Fielder exposes Missoulan's flip-flop

    Jennifer Fielder, Thompson Falls, Montana|Oct 22, 2020

    On Sunday, Oct. 11, the Missoulian endorsed me with the big bold headline: “Fielder is who PSC needs now”. Among other things, the well-reasoned endorsement acknowledged my “willingness to stand up to powerful interests.” Indeed, I have bucked the flow of big government and my own party at times – including my support for allowing all viable energy sources to compete in the marketplace and my strong stand against corruption. The Missoulian described me as “a fiercely independent thinker and a no-nonsense leader.” I analyze facts and put peopl...

  • Vote for Monica Tranel

    Former Montana wildland firefighters|Oct 22, 2020

    As former wildland firefighters, we learned what’s required to take on complex and difficult, tasks. We learned that when the going gets tough, there’s no substitute for hard work, experience and clear thinking. We know that excellent leaders consider all sides of a problem and work with their teams before making critical decisions. That’s why we’re supporting Monica Tranel for the Public Service Commission. As a lawyer who’s dealt with public utility issues for decades, Monica will get right down to work as soon as she’s elected. Because she...

  • My Plan to Clean Up the Corruption and Incompetence of the Secretary of State's Office

    Senator Bryce Bennett, Missoula, Montana|Oct 22, 2020

    Over the last four years, our Secretary of State’s office has become plagued with incompetence and corruption under the leadership of Corey Stapleton and Christi Jacobsen. Under their mismanagement we’ve seen hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars given away in contracts to their top donors, hiring of family members into their administration, criminal abuse of state owned vehicles, an absolute failure to plan for the challenges of COVID-19 and much more. This November - we can clean up this mess. I’ve spent my career bringing Repub...

  • Community members make communities stronger  

    Chris Clark, Seeley Lake, Montana|Oct 15, 2020

    My wife and I moved to Seeley Lake in 2019 from the Flathead Valley, seeking to simplify and reconnect with nature and a smaller community. We quickly met many residents who made us feel welcome and provided great examples of community love and involvement. One of those people was Tom Browder. Tom leads by example. From volunteering on community boards, coordinating food drives, or just hiking in our beautiful public lands, Toms’ compassion and love for the community he calls home is obvious. Real governmental representation means more than j...

  • Give Browder a chance

    Don Larson, Seeley Lake, Montana|Oct 15, 2020

    Mike Hopkins is asking to be re-elected to the Montana Legislature as the representative from the Seeley-Swan -Potomac-Bonner-Clinton area. Here’s a fact to consider in your decision to vote or NOT VOTE for him. Seeley residents have been undergoing a vigorous, divisive discussion over a $40 million central sewer proposal. Mike Hopkins has never entered that discussion and asked if or how he could help. There are four state funding entities which could assist a local government like Seeley. The funding from these entities is woefully i...

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