Sorted by date Results 1072 - 1096 of 1183
It cannot be denied that marijuana has medical properties. But proponents of I-182 want you to recognize the medical benefits and deny the significant negative health, social and economic consequences that it has on our communities. Marijuana is neither safe nor harmless. While well-tested pharmaceutical marijuana products may be a valid form of medication, I-182 does not responsibly grant access of medical marijuana with the oversight of medical professionals to patients who may truly benefit from it while knowing the possible risks of taking...
Cities, counties and homeowner associations attempt placing limits on political signs by restricting timelines or banning them altogether. The courts have already addressed the unconstitutionality of timelines while the Montana Legislature took up the issue of HOA by-laws a few years ago. HB 546, sponsored by then-Rep. Pomnichowski in 2009 was brought to the House floor for debate. I voted against the bill and in favor of the HOAs putting by-laws in place to restrict political activity. I was outvoted on the issue. The discussion centered on...
SEELEY LAKE - Speaking of horrendous and cold hearted, I would venture to say that the following are also under the category of “horrendous” and “cold hearted.” First being the spreading of inaccuracies and gossip about an event that you were A. not a witness to and B. not a part of. Second, the slandering and disrespect to our Law Enforcement/Game Warden. Third, not having the decency to go to the source (the Hunter) to get the facts for yourself but instead passive-aggressively writing a letter to the editor based on third and fourth hand go...
Public Access is not a sportsman versus landowner political issue. However, out-of-state activists like Sierra Club, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Defenders of Wildlife, etc. are trying to make it one. Anti-hunting groups are attempting to increase their influence by pouring political action cash (PAC Money) into Montana’s statewide elections. The cause of newly blocked sportsman access is not landowners. The federal government is gating roads and abandoning trails. Federal overreach is impacting the jobs a...
With just about two weeks left in the nastiest campaign of our lives, we are breathing a sigh of relief that it’s almost over. Our mailboxes are overflowing, and it’s virtually impossible to separate fact from fiction in candidates’ mailings and to decide which negative claims about opponents are valid and which are out of context or actual untruths. And while surely no one needs advice on the top of the ticket, there is one statewide race and a couple of local races that deserve comment. One of the more obscure yet very important elect...
How is it that a person can illegally transmit 2,100 classified emails on four illegally established personal computers, lie to the FBI multiple times during a criminal investigation (which is also a crime), allow four US state department officials to be killed in a terrorist attack after the chief official has requested additional security hundreds of times, then openly lie about the attack, collect tens of millions of dollars for her personal use (the Clinton Foundation) from foreign countries while a U.S. Government employee (is this not...
We have a lot of serious decisions to make as a community this November, besides crucial legislative races across the state, we will have a number of initiatives to vote on. One in particular, the Montana Animal Trap Restrictions Initiative (I-177) seeks to prohibit trapping on all public lands in Montana. Trapping is a Montana way of life and has been for the entirety of the state’s existence. For years now, special interest environmental groups (who are the primary funders of the Missoula Democrats) have done everything in their power to dest...
Most likely you’ve read many endorsement letters supporting Dave Strohmaier. He is worthy of the accolades. I won’t list all his accomplishments or reasons why he should be Missoula’s next County Commissioner, I’ve written or said them before. I would, however, like to share an observation of Strohmaier while at a recent candidates’ forum. Strohmaier has campaign experience and knows Missoula County quite well--however, he didn’t lord over or belittle his opponent. If anything, he shared his opponent’s love for Missoula County and encourage...
SEELEY LAKE - The proposed sewer is not backed by everyone who will be charged for it. In fact, it would be good if some sort of survey was conducted to ascertain exactly how many participants are for it. We do not know this and in a democratic society this should be basic knowledge for everyone involved. This whole program has been thrust upon property owners with no vote and very little information about the total costs we’ll have to pay. I personally own two parcels. As I understand it, it could be levied a charge of $40,000 per parcel. O...
We support Addrien Marx for representative in HD 92. Here’s why YOU should vote for her too. She’s as comfortable running a small business as she is adventuring in the Montana wilderness. Do you want someone who appreciates all the opportunities that Montana offers? Addrien is a Butte native and avid outdoorswoman who is dedicated to protecting the Montana quality of life. Are you looking for a representative who will listen to your ideas, assess the facts, make a decision and stand by it? Addrien will do what is right for citizens of Mon...
SEELEY LAKE - So the hazing of a bear by two people and a dog in a pickup for an hour is legal and then calling a friend with tags to shoot the bear once it was hazed to the right property is legal? Well, people, the parties got by with it because no one took the time to interview the people who knew the truth. Oh yes, people reported it, but the game warden, in my opinion, chose not to call the people for the truth. To the hazers and the shooter of the bear: In my opinion you are unethical. You have no empathy and you all should be sitting in...
SWAN VALLEY - I would like to offer a response to a letter written in the Pathfinder’s Sept. 15, 2016 opinion section. First off, I would like to commend and thank Jim Boyd for his time, thoughts and voice concerning the Flathead National Forest Draft Revision. He has offered many ideas and thoughts that more accurately address the needs and concerns of this community. The Forest Service has failed to offer a plan that considers the Swan Valley community and its fire safety, economic hardships, cultural and historical use of the land and recrea...
DEER LODGE - A district judge ruled this week that the state attorney general has the authority to deny the city of Deer Lodge the right to participate in a decision to move the Title and Registration Bureau to Helena. The City needs to finish what they started and appeal the decision to the Montana Supreme Court. Pursuant to Article 9 of the Montana Constitution Right to Know, I requested a copy of the Attorney General’s (AG) “estimate of savings” and “state initiative” referred to in a July 5 newspaper article. The AG took 65 days to provid...
SEELEY LAKE - Upon reading the current letter sent out by the elections office in Missoula, regarding the Seeley Lake sewer vote, I read the sentence “Upon review of Montana Code Annotated, it has been determined that “trust” or “corporations” are not eligible to vote in elections.” I am one of those affected because my lake property is in a trust. Out of the 510 people involved in the sewer project, there are probably several of us who have our properties under a trust or corporation. I looked back on my tax statements and found that I have...
I am supporting Dave Strohmaier for Missoula County Commissioner. One reason I support Dave is his stand on social justice, which means promoting the common good as demonstrated in his co-sponsoring the Missoula City Non-Discrimination Ordnance. It also means taking care of the poor, the sick and the hungry so they too may be valuable, contributing members of our society. Additionally, social justice means environmental justice – that the lowest income people aren’t left alone to deal with the negative impacts of industry, such as the Mil...
House District 92 is a sprawling district running from East Missoula out to Clinton and up to the Swan. It’s a district of young families, retirees, small business, isolationists, farmers, ranchers, loggers, artists, tradespeople and scientists all struggling to realize their version of Montana. We need a practical, thoughtful voice in Helena that can represent our disparate needs. Addrien Marx is that authentic voice. Her experience ranges from being a teacher and editor/publisher to longtime construction business owner to owning and managing...
While reading the “Editor’s Note, Remembering Mr. Nelson by Nathan Bourne” in the Sept. 29, 2016 edition of the Pathfinder it took me back to the start of my freshman year in high school. My elementary school was a good eight miles from our high school, so relationship with the high school was more so attending sporting events. Starting high school, I signed up for football and basketball, which meant I had to hitch a ride home after practice. My enrollment into the basketball team was to say the least, nothing but hell. It seems, not menti...
SEELEY LAKE - On Monday Sept. 19, I was scheduled to attend a candidate forum in Seeley Lake as a candidate for Secretary of State. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend due to unexpected issues which arose at the State Auditor’s office during the day. My apologies to the Seeley Lake community for the absence. I did communicate via email to the organizers earlier in the afternoon that day to alert them of the change in my schedule. Continuing to oversee our insurance and securities industries, while protecting consumers, is my first priority i...
SEELEY LAKE - Who are more rude and crude in our area of Seeley Lake Liberal thinkers or those dastardly Conservatives? The general consensus appeared to be that conservatives had little patience or empathetic feelings for those that thought, looked and acted a little different. I am one of those people that tends to verify things that are generally accepted as being true. I decided to do my own very bias study. I donned my Clinton/ Kane tee shirt (available online for $30) and proceeded to wear it around our charming area for the day. I...
Dave Strohmaier, Democratic Candidate for County Commissioner, is highly qualified for the position. He has experience administering programs and managing staff in the private sector. He is a sportsman and conservationist who values good stewardship for Missoula County and has been endorsed by the Montana Conservation Voters. He respects private property and understands the value of public lands. Dave’s leadership as a Missoula County Commissioner will be based upon cooperation rather than confrontation. He has demonstrated his skills at w...
I endorse Addrien Marx for House District 92 because of her long experience as a successful businesswoman in Seeley Lake, because she values wild country and because she has stepped up to the plate to serve our communities in many ways. Addrien knows that if we are to have vibrant communities in rural Montana with good jobs and schools, we need to protect the recreation opportunities that open lands provide and that fuel our economy. Our livelihoods and our sense of well-being depend on our ability to maintain our clear lakes and streams, acces...
We are long-time residents of the Seeley/Swan Valley who attended the Sept. 20 Swan Valley Community Council-sponsored presentation by Montana Senator Jennifer Fielder and Representative Kerry White of the American Lands Council (ALC). The ALC presentation was filled with misinformation, inaccurate graphics and emotionally charged rhetoric designed to create fear. In their proposal to transfer federal lands to state control, the ALC speakers oversimplified and misrepresented complex forest management issues, while ignoring us hikers, hunters,...
Addrien Marx is blessed with the background and skills that make her the ideal representative for Montanans living in House District 92. Addrien knows what it means to be a mother. She knows first hand the challenges of running a Montana business. She has backpacked in the “Bob.” Her teaching experience makes it easier for her to understand and assist others. She has successful experience helping folks with differing viewpoints find win-win solutions. She helped build a shooting range. Addrien has served the Historical Museum at Fort Mis...
SWAN VALLEY – Tuesday, Sept. 20 I attended the meeting at the Condon Community Center. The American Land Council presented their reasons for the transfer of Federal land to State control. The representatives Jennifer Fielder and Kerry White put forth several good reasons for state control. Unfortunately, like most people arguing their position they made statements that, while not lies, were not totally true. The facts were stated so as to compare apples to oranges. The one position they put forth that is hard to argue with is that the people cl...
SWAN VALLEY - As a resident of Senator Jennifer Fielder’s county - Sanders - I wish to apologize to all the logically inclined people of Condon for the ruckus she created last week. Here, in Sanders County, we know what kind of misrepresentations she makes and large numbers of people of all political parties tend to avoid her and her presentations. Suffice it to say that exaggeration and misinformation are not items about which the Senator seems concerned....
