Opinion / Letters To Editor


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  • Marx is Best Choice for House District 92

    Lee Boman, Seeley Lake, Mont.|Sep 29, 2016

    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...

  • American Lands Council – Best Interest for Montana or Front for Special Interest Groups?

    Lynn Carey, Seeley Lake, Mont.|Sep 29, 2016

    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...

  • Apology for the Ruckus Caused by Fielder's Presentation

    Ernest Scherzer, Trout Creek, Mont.|Sep 29, 2016

    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....

  • More Transparency Needed by Sewer District

    Don Larson, Seeley Lake, Mont.|Sep 29, 2016

    SEELEY LAKE - The argument between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton over who is more transparent just two months before the election brings to mind our local situation with the Seeley Lake Sewer District Board. With just over two months before the mail in election on the sewer, voters have no idea what the project will cost, how much their monthly bills will be and how long the debt will continue. The preliminary estimate for the first sub-district stands at $12 million...with no information about how much sub-districts two, three and four...

  • Thank You for Your Support

    Charlie Moderie, Seeley Lake, Mont.|Sep 29, 2016

    SEELEY LAKE - I would like to thank everyone for all their prayers, donations and help getting through my ordeal. It has been a long haul… I would like to thank Seeley Lake 911, my church and employer for their support and making it possible to get me back to work. I would also like to thank our community. Thanks for the support of my family and friends that have helped out before, during and after being in the hospital. Without all of you, I literally would not be here. I thank God I am alive. I have a long road ahead of me…but at least I am...

  • Rural Montana Deserves a Winner – Vote Marx

    Jenny Rohrer, Swan Valley, Mont.|Sep 22, 2016

    I am writing on behalf of rural Montana voters in the sparsely populated, rural House District 92 which runs from East Missoula to Condon. We are eager to have to have a strong voice in Montana’s state house. We deserve the best candidate with the experience, knowledge and heart that can take our concerns to Helena. That candidate, hands down, is Addrien Marx. Addrien Marx knows what rural Montana deserves. She recognizes the importance of jobs with good pay in our small communities. As a small business owner in Seeley Lake for three d...

  • Get Something Done - Get Addrien Marx  

    John N. Maclean, Author, journalist and fisherman Washington, D.C.|Sep 22, 2016

    SEELEY LAKE - Our small community of Seeley Lake brings together many big interests: the timber industry, recreationists and cabin owners, the Forest Service, real estate and other businesses. I’ve known Addrien Marx as a friend and owner of the landmark Rovero’s gas, hardware and sundry store for many years. We’ve worked together on projects—mostly her work—to support the community, the local economy, the fire department, our forests and trails and our historical heritage. I’m a third-generation cabin owner on Seeley Lake but I live most o...

  • Rebuttal to the Swan Valley Emergency Service's Concerns on the Flathead National Forest Draft Forest Plan

    Kari Gunderson, Condon, Mont.|Sep 15, 2016

    SWAN VALLEY - I would like to offer a response to the Pathfinder’s Sept. 1, 2016 article “Swan Valley Emergency Services Expresses Concerns with Forest Plan Draft.” In 1989 I lost my home to fire and am grateful for the response by the Swan Valley Volunteer Fire Department. Since then I have made monetary donations (when I can) and in-kind donations. I appreciate and value the efforts of local volunteers who donate time to help homeowners like me. However, I feel compelled to address some of the misinformation and half-truths that are being...

  • Marx - A Vote for Strong Economy and Preservation of Outdoor Heritage

    Daniel A. Harper M.D., Missoula, Mont.|Sep 15, 2016

    Addrien Marx who is seeking the position of State Representative for District 92 deserves the enthusiastic support of the citizens in this district. I am one of those in enthusiastic supporters. Addrien’s experience as a longtime Seeley Lake small business owner has attuned her to the many parts of Montana’s economy. She understands the importance of adequately funding infrastructure. A healthy population is essential to a good economy, and Addrien supports expansion of the Medicaid health coverage for Montana citizens. Addrien, also a tea...

  • Paws Up for Your Support

    Louise Cameron, Seeley Lake, Mont.|Sep 8, 2016

    SEELEY LAKE - The people from Paws Up Safe Home would like to thank the Seeley Lake Community for its support with the quilt raffle. We made around $700 for the animal shelter! Mary Stuart of Seeley Lake won the quilt (pictured left). How great to live in a community that supports its most vulnerable....

  • Sewer District Should Inform Voters

    Don Larson, Seeley Lake, Mont.|Sep 1, 2016

    It has come to my attention members of the Seeley Lake Sewer District Board are putting out misinformation about the Sewer Proposal which we will be voting on in December. One member has been saying, “If we don’t put it (the sewer) in now the “state” will come in and make us do it later and it will cost more.” That is mostly incorrect. Here’s why: The State must show demonstrable environmental degradation before it can “mandate” a clean up and it must show beyond a shadow of a doubt where the degradation is coming from. It cannot. Seeley...

  • Designating Wilderness is Not Protecting It as We Know It

    Linda Brandvold, Fairfield, Mont.|Sep 1, 2016

    I would like to comment on the letter Supporting Blackfoot-Clearwater Stewardship Project authored by representatives of the Montana Association of Christians (MAC) in the Great Falls Tribune (July 25, 2016). I agree wholeheartedly with collaboration supporting forest restoration and recreation. However, I think there is a widespread misconception that we protect areas as we know them by adding them to the wilderness system. MAC supports adding 83,000 acres to the Wilderness Complex. They allude to the “Rivers running clear and deep” thr...

  • Who Will Pay for the Sewer?

    Dennis Rathbun, Seeley Lake, Mont.|Aug 18, 2016

    SEELEY LAKE - I’ve read the public notice regarding the proposed levy for the Seeley Lake Sewer District. It is as incomprehensible as most public notices but since it affects me directly – and quite harshly – I tried to puzzle my way through it. It appears to me to be unfair and misdirected taxation. In particular, it talks about an assessment but I don’t think it says who will pay it: just Phase One? Seeley Lake? Does it include the Double Arrow??? It is safe to assume that many that live outside of the district will benefit from the distric...

  • Marx Best Choice for HD92

    Monte Dolack, Missoula, Mont.|Aug 18, 2016

    MISSOULA - Giving support to a political candidate is one made with considerable thought and yes, purpose. I do this as a strong endorsement of Addrien Marx for House District (HD) 92. She has always reflected and acted with purpose in protecting those Montana values that makes this state so unique. Her perseverance has always been directed toward making our rural communities stronger – in economics, resources and education. These are the values we hold closely in this state and Addrien can carry them forward in Helena – for us. Public lan...

  • Setting the Facts Straight about Walmart Incident

    MIchael Bracha, Seeley Lake, Mont.|Aug 11, 2016

    MISSOULA - I need to clear up a letter to the editor last week written by my mother (Susan Bracha) about children’s safety. While her concern was real, the facts of the letter were not. I was approached by two men who worked for Walmart but was never taken to a back room. That part of the story I exaggerated because I was upset. I apologize to Walmart and anyone else who might have been affected by this mistake....

  • Negativity Quashes Creativity – Keep Up the Good Work!

    Loren Rose, Seeley Lake, Mont.|Aug 11, 2016

    SEELEY LAKE - Recent events have spawned a great deal of discussion around our community. Healthy debate and volunteer involvement have long been staples of Seeley Lake. There are real dangers when negativity creeps into public discourse. First, it sends a bad message to anyone wishing to invest in Seeley Lake. That investment could range from buying a house, starting a business or even funding a sewer system. Words matter and you never know who is watching what we are doing. A good example is the foundation that gave the sewer district...

  • The Horror of Puppy Mills

    Elinor Williamson, Seeley Lake, Mont.|Aug 4, 2016

    After viewing the horror of the Charlo puppy mill, are we the people going to stand up to our senators and reps and demand they get and sign a bill abolishing puppy mills?? Our state is known for open doors on puppy mills. That’s why when they get abolished in other states they flee to Montana. It’s time to say no more! Puppy mills are cruel, evil places! To the politicians, read the Bible. God gave us horses for work and pleasure, gave us cattle and chickens for food in return for care, as all animals are to be cared for. God gave us dogs and...

  • There is a Fire on the Horizon in Montana…Do the Research

    Rick Ferguson, Condon, Mont.|Aug 4, 2016

    Regarding my letter to the editor July 14, 2016, I would like make the following comments. It is a fact that the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security have both stated that there is no way to obtain accurate security background checks for any Muslim Syrian refugees that enter the United States. So why would our “public servants,” starting with Governor Steve Bullock, put us and our families at risk by insisting that unvetted Muslim Syrian refugees be given a go pass to Montana? The Germans and other European countries have admitted tha...

  • SLE Board of Trustees - Work with the Community, Instead of Against It

    Bruce Friede, Seeley Lake, Mont.|Aug 4, 2016

    SEELEY LAKE - As a local fixed income citizen in this community I have these opinions concerning the recent activities on our tax owners property and taxpayer employees. I find it curious that the Seeley Lake Elementary School Trustees would allow the school to compete with other taxpaying businesses in this community. This school, under a grant from the Federal Department of Education and administered by the State of Montana Department of Education, have now used federal and state taxpayer moneys to open a business that is in direct...

  • A Few Considerations on the Seeley Lake Sewer- Don't Believe Everything You Hear

    Don Larson, Seeley Lake, Mont.|Aug 4, 2016

    SEELEY LAKE - The Sewer Board proposal to subsidize sewer rates to get the initial monthly cost down is an end run around our right to vote on a very-expensive bond proposal. By promising early, temporary, affordable sewer rates, Public Works Director Greg Robertson and the Seeley Lake Sewer District Board hope to avoid a vote on the multi-million dollar bond issue which would probably fail at the polls if the vote were held tomorrow. Here are some considerations. • Robertson is overlooking several pertinent facts to make his case for the s...

  • Heaven is Just Over the Hill

    Lee Boman, Seeley Lake, Mont.|Aug 4, 2016

    SEELEY LAKE - Try this. Look at your legs and kindly ask them, “please take me over the hill into the Bob.” Immediately, upon making that request, I predict your brain will send a barrage of messages including: “Are you kidding? We can drive where we need to go. Stupid idea.” And more. But, if your inner self is strong enough to override your brain’s preference for comfort and convenience, then you have an opportunity. You have an opportunity to reduce negative stress, experience personal growth and enjoy increased vigor. Once your legs take...

  • Mountain Biker Proudly Supports BCSP

    Wes Swaffar, Missoula, Mont.|Aug 4, 2016
    2

    There are a few special places that I’ve encountered in my life that grabbed hold of me and refused to let me go. One of those special places is the Blackfoot-Clearwater region, a place we have the opportunity to protect through the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Project (BCSP). I would like to explain why I, as a mountain biker, support the BCSP. Seven years ago, I had the privilege of working as a wilderness ranger for the Seeley Lake Ranger District. Charged with trail maintenance, visitor contacts and backcountry campsite monitoring, I f...

  • Local Paper No Place for Fearmongering

    Mark Melvin, Seeley Lake, Mont.|Jul 28, 2016
    1

    SEELEY LAKE - I’m writing about the July 14th issue of the Pathfinder. I was rather disturbed to see the prominent black box of divisive fearmongering on the second page. And the text next to it was equally inflammatory. There is a huge difference between an opinion and panicked, xenophobic ranting (including a rather glaring strawman fallacy, among other things). I understand it’s a letters-to-the-editor section but as a media institution I believe you have a responsibility to distribute information, not fear. Placing that message in blo...

  • Get Behind It, Work Out the Bugs

    Don Larson, Seeley Lake, Mont.|Jul 28, 2016

    SEELEY LAKE - First, good on Chris Stout for taking the initiative and organizing the Bob Marshall Wilderness Music Festival. Work the bugs out and get the business community on board and you will have a nice annual event which will advertise and promote Seeley Lake as the wonderful recreation area it is. Second, good on Curt Friede for raising many valid concerns about the event and identifying some of the bugs. Brick and mortar businesses always take a hit of sorts when outside food and beer vendors come to town for the big weekends but the...

  • Bob Marshall in Downtown Seeley

    Ron Cox, Seeley Lake, Mont.|Jul 28, 2016

    SEELEY LAKE - When I first heard about the Bob Marshall Music Festival, I wondered how the champion of wilderness and solitude would feel about using his name for that event. The long distant races would be appropriate for his legendary 50-miles hikes with a knapsack and tennis shoes. He probably wouldn’t mind a little music. Beer?? The conflict about the festival location is a reminder that the community should pay attention and be involved in the County proposal to sell off the Drew Creek County Park located at the southeastern edge of the Do...

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