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Dear Seeley Lake Residents: I just had the most amazing visit to your elementary school. As I walked in, I felt like I was in the most amazing learning environment. There was a bench by the opening door made from snowboards and the wood trim on all the indoor doorways, windows and shelves were made from recycled pine beetle wood. I saw a table made from an old wooden bleacher and met some of the most enthusiastic educators. While visiting with the educators I learned about an outdoor program you had for your students and learned how this was...
I find it interesting and intriguing that Mr. Keith Virga found the need to write a letter to the Editor in the May 10th Pathfinder. His support of Freshman Representative Hopkins is his right, as is mine to support and promote Mr. Derek (DJ) Smith, a strong conservative Republican. It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to look at an idea without agreeing with it. (Aristotle) I am on the ballot and filed my C-1 in December of 2016. If I did not think then that I was better qualified than Mr. Hopkins, why file? I have followed the...
SEELEY LAKE - Shout out to the Seeley-Swan Community. I’m thinking Saturday night’s art auction, talent show and scholarship fundraiser was a success. The talent in this community is astonishing. Regulars such as Trace and Mark wowed the folks as always...and Pete on the banjer and his wife Rachel on guitar did the same. Two high school students did their own original poetry and Steve Fraker did original Cowboy verse. A group of hand bellers hushed the crowd with quiet melodic bell music. How’d they do that? And more good stuff too numerous to...
I live in East Missoula and was very intrigued when I read one of Lee Bridges’ (HD92) intro cards. So I called her and she actually came over to my house and we talked for over an hour. I find her incredibly thoughtful, understanding and insightful - I have since volunteered for her campaign, and am impressed with her commitment to hard work and her ethical practices. I hope you will join me in voting for Lee Bridges for HD92!!...
With proud enthusiasm, I support Cecil Schlabach for HD92 in the upcoming primary election on June 5. I have known Cecil for the past seven years as both a teaching associate and a friend. We both teach junior high at SLE. Cecil works tirelessly to promote well-educated students through his teaching of History, Civics and Communication Arts, along with coordinating the educational trip to Washington D.C. Embracing higher education, Cecil just completed a Masters in Educational Leadership. Cecil is hardworking, dedicated and honest as the day...
Tired of asking our state representatives to allow for more renewable energy development? Ready for a just transition to renewable energy? Do you think it’s time voters had a say in expansion of renewable energy options in Montana? THEN I-184 IS THE ANSWER. This proposed initiative is being circulated to gather enough signatures from 25,468 registered voters by June 22 to qualify it for the November 2018 Montana ballot. To learn more about I-184 and sign the petition, go to the website mtcares.org and click on the “About” tab. The page that...
We have come to expect that the Federal Government does not do its job. When it comes to State Government, we expect the opposite. We expect our State Legislature to get things done, to work together to tackle serious problems affecting us as citizens. I ran to represent you in 2016 because it seemed like our state government had lost touch. Instead of creating an environment where small business can grow, the legislature had created one where small businesses were forced to jump through a seemingly never-ending set of hoops and red tape....
MISSOULA - I’ve known Josh Slotnick, candidate for Missoula County Commissioner, for nearly 20 years. We have worked together in various capacities and we occasionally hunt elk and deer together. You don’t need to spend a lot of time with Josh, however, to sense his deep integrity, his singular ability to listen well and consider other points of view carefully, his sincere commitment to his community and his farmer’s fierce work ethic. I also know Jean Curtiss, have worked with her and think highly of her. She has been a darned good commi...
MISSOULA - I met Jean Curtiss over two decades ago while I was a school board trustee. The board was grappling with the agonizing prospect of neighborhood school closure. Representing the Missoula PTA, Jean brought a calm and rational voice to the rancor, always advocating for the decision that would ensure the best education possible for all of the students in the sprawling district. She earned my respect. Jean has demonstrated that same steady hand for 17 years as County Commissioner, helping guide Missoula County through difficult economic t...
Friends and neighbors, primary season is here and our House District (92) has a clear choice to represent us in the Montana State Legislature. Lee Bridges is an incredible candidate and citizen willing to work around the clock for us. She has more than 40 years of experience in hands-on blue-collar work and has been an active public servant as a volunteer fire fighter, community organizer, and community committee member. Her main issues are fair wages, good jobs, unions, public lands, fire management and public education. She is actively...
In 2008, my father, a World War II veteran, was receiving medical care at the Billings Veteran’s clinic. I had medical POA for my father and had questions about his health and left several messages for his doctor, but my phone calls weren't returned. After the third attempt, I was told by a staff member at the clinic that it was hard for the doctor to return calls. I was very frustrated with the lack of response and sent an e-mail to Senator Tester. Within a couple of days, I received a phone message from Tester's staff informing me that t...
MISSOULA - Please join me in support of reelecting T.J. McDermott for Missoula County Sheriff. As the current Sheriff of Missoula County, Sheriff McDermott has a proven track record of running a jail, making improvements with the diversion program and overseeing a budget. Sheriff McDermott’s work experience includes time on the street as a police officer, county deputy, detective and Sheriff. Sheriff McDermott has also made improvements to the uniform that is being worn by deputies on the street, the Missoula County Bomb Squad and the Special R...
For those of you who vote by mail you should have received your ballot by now. The actual primary at the polls is on June 5. For whatever it’s worth, here is for whom I am going to vote. Grant Kier for US House. Despite two worthy opponents, Grant is my clear choice. During his thoughtful and highly astute five years of leadership, Five Valleys Land Trust expanded exponentially, protecting many thousands of acres, most after difficult but highly collaborative negotiations. He would bring a solid and wide-ranging grounding in science to a C...
Floodwaters in three of the four sub-districts of the Seeley Lake Sewer District should give present and future Board members pause. Those areas should probably never be built on because they are wetlands and the homes already in those areas should get special sewage treatment attention. Sewering those areas will encourage growth and at present the Seeley Lake Water District is at capacity. It will not be able to supply the new development with water unless it makes considerable, expensive new capital investment. If new owners want water they...
I know our minds are all on the high floodwaters, the obstructed roadways, and flooded homes, but looking at the long game, I see a very vibrant Spring season for foliage and fire fuels. If we get a dry period this summer, that will be prime dry fuel for fire season. I urge everyone in the Potomac area to attend the Potomac Community Wildfire Preparedness Event at the Potomac Community Center on Tuesday, May 22, from 6-8 p.m. There will be a community BBQ and showing of the documentary, Era of Megafires, by Dr. Paul Hessburg. The Era of...
As the saying goes, “experience matters.” I could not agree more. What kind of experience do we want? Being raised by a single mom who had to work for everything in life has taught me that nothing good is just handed to you, you need to work for it. She also showed me compassion and being there for people that are less fortunate than ourselves. I remember serving at a very young age at Mission 3:16 where we gave the little we had to people who needed it more. I have brought these lessons and others to the private sector where I started my own...
Lee Bridges is the people’s pick for House District 92. I have known Lee for over a quarter century and she is a conscientious, determined individual that I would trust with my life. As a retired sergeant major of US Army Special Forces, I can tell, with a glance, those that are a cut above and possess the fire and grit to make things work; to get the job done. Lee Bridges is such a person, and possesses what I consider to be the most important characteristic for a representative of the people: she has a soul. Unlike so many in political o...
Regarding Congressman Gianforte’s May 2, 2018 Missoulian article titled “Congress working on jobs.” Why is it that Mr. Gianforte and Congress do not understand that properly managed forest equates to permanent jobs, property protection, healthy wildlife and a healthy smoke-free environment for all of us? The National Forest Service’s let it burn policy equates to temporary jobs, until there is no forest to fight forest fires, loss of property, loss of wildlife habitat and poor air quality. Fifty years ago the firefighters’ motto was “Fire out b...
This letter is in response to Larry Dunham’s editorial last week. I know both Mike Hopkins and Larry Dunham and have had several interactions and conversations with them. Over the years Mike has been a strong conservative and a stand up guy. Reading that editorial on how Larry feels he is more qualified than Mike bothered me. Larry states Mike voted for the gas tax. NOT TRUE! The voting records are all posted online. Mike voted all three times against the gas tax. So did all three Republican legislators in Missoula County. Mike even went so f...
I am writing to encourage you to vote for Cecil Schlabach for HD 92. My husband, Juan, and I had the pleasure of getting to know Cecil this spring and we were impressed by his integrity, kindness, and far-reaching capabilities. Every cell in his body is infused with a clear and honest intent to create a better world and we can’t imagine a finer candidate. What I appreciate when talking with Cecil is that he has no hidden agendas, no ulterior motives. He is sincerely a man who cares about Montana’s incredible countryside, its economic vit...
Democrats voting in the June primary are fortunate to have several talented candidates vying to run against Congressman Greg Gianforte; we need to select the one who has the best chance of winning in November. I am a firearms owner, hunter, outdoor recreationist and conservationist – and I believe Kathleen Williams is our best opportunity to defeat Gianforte. Kathleen is clearly the most qualified, experienced and capable candidate. Not only does Kathleen have a strong natural resources background and an understanding of the public land i...
MISSOULA - We are in the rare and fortunate position to choose between two highly qualified and thoughtful candidates for County Commissioner. Josh Slotnik brings a welcome new face to public life. However, Jean Curtiss’ experience is unmatched. During Jean’s 17 years of service, the population of Missoula County and its economic output increased dramatically. Moreover, Jean knows every corner of our county and many of her constituents on a first-name basis. She grew up in the Swan Valley and has always been supportive of Seeley Lake when we...
MISSOULA - Jean Curtiss is so much more to our community than a county commissioner. She cares about the unique challenges facing everyone who lives here, in town and in the rural parts of the county. Long after the lights are out at the county courthouse, Jean is out there investing her personal time and professional expertise trying to figure out complex problems. One area this is best showcased is her tireless work for economic development opportunities. For example, take the Bonner Mill Site. That could have ended up like a lot of other...
MISSOULA - I was thrilled to hear Josh Slotnick is running for County Commissioner because I’ve seen what his vision and his deep seeded abilities as a community builder can do. I’ve known Josh since I was in graduate school when he taught me how to start a seed, how to mix soil, how to engage with a stranger while weeding a row. He leads by example. He empowers students and co-workers alike to turn ideas into reality. For the last nine years we’ve been colleagues and I continue to see the change he facilitates in students, colleagues and the c...
MISSOULA - When I first came to Missoula more than a decade ago, the concept of “economic development” was met with skepticism and outright resistance. When the recession hit that sentiment started to change. More and more people started realizing that being intentional about working to grow and maintain a sustainable economy not only made sense but was of the highest priority. Since then, we’ve relied on local leadership to help grow new and existing businesses and bring in new jobs to support local families. Missoula County Commi...
