Sorted by date Results 1108 - 1132 of 1183
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....
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
SEELEY LAKE - Why would anyone think it’s acceptable to sell alcohol at our elementary school grounds??? There are laws to prevent it!!! Yet, the Seeley Lake Community Foundation (SLCF), which normally does wonderful things for our community, was able to obtain a permit to do so for the Bob Marshall Music Festival. SLCF can you explain to me how that this lines up with your mission statement, because I can’t see it? Seeley Lake Elementary Administration/Board... REALLY??? You think this is acceptable for our grade school??? SLE Adm...
President Barack Hussein Obama is arguably the most maligned president in U.S. history, thanks to the U.S. Congress, the NRA and special interest groups that are opposed to his policies. President Obama has survived the most vile accusations with dignity and honor. We should all have such grace....
To the left is the future for Montana if Governor Steve Bullock, the Missoula Mayor, his City Council and the Missoula County Commissioners bring unvetted Muslim refugees to Montana as planned. They are all contributing to President Barack Hussein Obama's Muslim pipeline to America, and they are all contributing to Islamic jihad on American soil. Protest this insane proposal and remember these misguided "public servants" on Election Day. If it's refugees they want, bring those who do not grow...
On Tuesday, June 28 there was an article in the Missoulian newspaper about the memorial service for David Thatcher. Mr. Thatcher was one of the famed Doolittle Raiders and was a hero in every sense of the word, helping to save four of his fellow crew members after their plane crashed. Gov. Steve Bullock attended the June 27 service and ordered flags in Montana be flown at half-staff. That’s pretty straightforward. Tuesday I had occasion to run some errands downtown and was saddened to see no less than seven different flags at full staff. T...
I’ve never been concerned about the chatter for transferring federal lands to the state because I always presumed those people don’t know what they are asking for. Other than being frustrated about the modern quagmire of legal challenges and budget constraints preventing everything everyone wants to do or wants done on federal public lands, I’ve never seen a specific example of what the state could do better. But recently during a road trip through the Midwest, I woke up one morning very afraid the proponents for transferring federal land...
I often wonder how many times are people asked, prior to an election, "Are you a Republican or a Democrat?" We as a Nation have become so indifferent to the future of our great country that we need only to identify with an animal foreign to our shores or a jackass. This Great Nation and those that sacrificed so much to create and maintain it deserve better. If you vote for someone solely because they are a woman, a minority, an incumbent, a Republican or a Democrat, you do a great disservice to...
MISSOULA - This year I had the opportunity to participate in the processing of mail-in ballots for Missoula County in the 2016 primary elections. I was one of 42 people selected to remove ballots from the blue, secret envelopes and unfold them so they could be fed to the vote counting machines. I was impressed with the percentage of ballots returned this year as compared to previous years – per the Missoulian. I am sure people who mail in their ballots really want to have a voice in government, so I was disappointed in how many of the b...
Recently there was an article in the Missoulian by George Ochenski suggesting a way to “enhance access to public lands” is to “paint the corner posts on all state land sections blue.” He thinks that would make it so “any member of the public would know immediately whether the land they seek to access is public....” Well, that may identify the state land but it wouldn’t necessarily make it available to any member of the general public. First of all, assuming they could get there without trespassing on private land, according to State statutes, a...
MISSOULA - I want to thank the more than 10,000 Missoula County voters who supported me in the Democratic primary for Missoula County Commissioner. With that victory, I’m now ready to take on the Republican candidate in the general election this fall. It’s been a pleasure meeting residents across this great county over the past few months, from Condon to Lolo to the Ninemile—hearing your concerns and visions for the county, and looking for creative solutions that balance competing interests. I also want to thank my opponent in the race Stacy...
MISSOULA - Several have called me in regard of the air conditioning unit for The Missoula Animal Control building of which many of us contributed to. So, I called Jeff the head of Animal Control and he stated pretty much the following. Before Animal Control could have it installed they had to have a structural engineer check out the building where the unit would be placed and he found problems in the upper building. This has been fixed. By the time it was fixed, the business, who had said they would install it at no cost, found the cost and it...
SEELEY LAKE - Now that the badly-planned central sewage treatment system is proving to be unaffordable, it’s time for city mothers and fathers to step back and consider a new approach for Seeley Lake. In the world of sewage treatment there are three steps: collection, treatment and disposal. The most expensive aspect is generally the collection...that often represents two thirds of the cost of building a treatment system and easily 90 percent of the subsequent operation and maintenance, as the local sewer board is finding out. There are new t...
MISSOULA - I have read with interest several letters in the Missoulian and the Pathfinder for or against each of the Democratic Party primary nominees for County Commissioner. Regardless of my political affiliations, I am a supporter of Commissioner Stacy Rye, who I have met on several occasions, with whom I have communicated frequently since her appointment to the Board of County Commissioners and whom I believe has the interests of we, the people, uppermost in her activities as a commissioner. But in favoring Mr. Dave Strohmaier over...
MISSOULA - I was surprised to read the vindictive letter Jean wrote about Stacy Rye. Is Jean afraid of losing her power she has held for to long? If Jean checked she would know Stacy is in Helena Thursday, May 26 trying to get the state to lower the speed limit in Seeley Lake and other smaller communities. There are people going at least 60 miles per hour as they go through our town and I am sure it is that way with other small towns. Stacy is working for Missoula but also for our small communities. Jean endorses Dave because he is also as Mr....
MISSOULA - Several months ago the two voting Commissioners selected Stacy Rye as the best person – on their very first ballot – and appointed her to fill the third Commissioner’s position. Now, after working with her for only seven months, one Commissioner has said Stacy’s management style is not a good fit for the Commission and has endorsed Dave Strohmaier. The other Commissioner is not endorsing Stacy. A county board that appears to have become dysfunctional in such a short time does not bode well for an effective county government over th...
