Sorted by date Results 547 - 571 of 1183
SEELEY LAKE - Sewer District residents have an opportunity to again protest against the proposed sewer project. The District’s engineering firm is asking to schedule meetings with residents to identify septic and line locations assuming incorrectly it has passed muster with residents. If you are opposed to the project DO NOT SCHEDULE an appointment with Great West Engineering. Let the Sewer Board know it needs to look at the alternatives....
ELBOW LAKE - There are so many things to love about the people and places around Elbow Lake. But in 1970, when our family bought 160 acres and an old homestead cabin from one of the early residents, what impressed us most was how business was often done with a handshake. These days, though, that handshake has been replaced with head-shaking and hand-wringing. Common sense and clear communication have given way to obfuscation and inaccuracy, most recently in the “Environmental Assessment of the Removal and Remediation of Elbow Lake Dam.” For...
It is a breath of fresh air when members of congress put partisanship aside and work across the aisle. I applaud Republican Senator Daines and Democratic Senator Tester for championing the reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) in February and recently supporting an amendment for full, dedicated funding of LWCF in FY2020. Congressman Gianforte needs to support the bipartisan bill in the House that would also provide full, dedicated funding. LWCF is NOT funded by taxpayers. It was a common-sense, bi-partisan commitment...
Commissioner Josh Slotniks’ suggestion that Seeley Lake create a Business Improvement District suggests a certain naivete, or to use a football metaphor, a rookie mistake. Seeley’s business community seems fine. That we have to commute to Missoula for better prices and cheaper gas is another subject. Mr. Slotnik does not appear to understand the underpinnings of a healthy a rural community. First, most rural residents reside where they live by choice. They do not want the hustle and bustle of a Missoula. Second, any community to prosper needs a...
ELBOW LAKE - I am a leaseholder at Elbow Lake, responding to the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) regarding the proposed removal of the Elbow Lake “dam” (more accurately “weir”). My lot is situated below the weir, so I may be personally less affected than some of my fellow Elbow Lake cabin owners. Nevertheless, while I support the goal of upstream bull trout passage, I am opposed to removal of the weir for the following reasons. 1. Elbow Lake has existed as a lake at least since the mid-1950s, when some of the first state leases were is...
ELBOW LAKE - This letter is a response to the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) of the proposed removal and remediation of Elbow Lake Dam. The project title itself is a contradiction to the proposal because the title refers to the name of what the state wants to eliminate, Elbow Lake. I have had my State Lease on Elbow Lake since 1998. I acquired it from my friend Anna Lukens who had the lease since leases were created at Elbow Lake in the mid 1950’s. It was called Elbow Lake, with emphasis on the word “Lake” because it had been a lake since...
Hell yes I am going to vote for Bernie Sanders!! He is going to give me free medical, free dental, free housing. B.S. is going to buy me a new car – free, free, free! Meals on Wheels will pull up to my door free times a day – but wait, if you order right now you can get a second dose of B.S. free! And last, but not least, a free education! But wait – B.S. is going to do all my thinking for me so I won’t need an education. The Democrats have spent the last three and one-half years doing nothing, and I mean nothing, but bad mouthing our great P...
ELBOW LAKE - I have been camping, fishing, floating and boating on Elbow Lake since 1977. In 2001, we acquired a DNRC lease on Elbow Lake. It was a dream come true. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to be part of this area and the Elbow Lake ecosystem. I consider myself to be a good steward of the land. On the other hand, I find that the Department of Natural Resources and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks have not held up their end of being good land stewards through their lack of communication with Elbow Lake stakeholders, not being inc...
Our family is one of over 20 that own a cabin on Elbow Lake. Although we have been owners for only a few years, many families have had cabins on the Lake for decades. Our family has come to love this beautiful portion of the Clearwater River watershed – we are devastated by your proposed action! On page 12 Section IX. Draft Environmental Assessment Conclusion Section 3, you state: “Is an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) required? No. We conclude, from this review, that the proposed activities would have an overall positive impact on the...
I just want to set the story straight once and for all. The Water District’s name and my name in particular keeps being brought up at the Sewer District’s meetings as well as in the newspaper in regards to the proposed sewer project. A couple months ago I was falsely quoted at a Sewer District meeting as telling an individual that the Water District is expanding due to the Sewer District project, and consequently would be raising rates. TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT I DID NOT SAY THIS, NOR IS IT TRUE. In the notices section of the Pathfinder dat...
SEELEY LAKE - President Trump’s trade war with China is expected to cost Montana families an extra $1,000 next year. Missoula County Commissioners have just announced an 11 percent increase in property taxes for 2020. Medical costs are out the roof. Electrical utility leaders are asking for rate hikes. Also, they say because of the trade war with China, monthly water bills here exceed $50 and are among the highest in western Montana. Gasoline is consistently 10-15 cents a gallon higher here than in Missoula. With these costs in mind, how can S...
When the snow starts falling, a reverent quiet seems to settle on my spirit, inviting me to hold my heart open to possibility. Being quickly propelled into this blustery season, it seems a good time to let my faith wonder. Come along, if you like. Here in my house in the forest, I like to collect myself in front of the wood stove with a hot beverage - licorice tea this time - close my eyes and imagine what's in store for the season. What sorts of daily Divine occurrences will emerge, drawing me...
When President Trump was duly elected by the American people I was shocked at the rage of some people. I heard a woman say she wanted to blow up the White House. I heard some Democrats promoting violence against President Trump and his supporters. I saw a woman hold up an image of President Trump’s bloody severed head. I saw an image of President Trump hanging from a rope and then knocked down and clubs handed to CHILDREN to beat the image of our President of the United States of America. Shame on those people. In my lifetime I have never s...
SEELEY LAKE - I want to alert the 182 people who signed the grassroots petition opposing the mandatory hookup to the sewer system that your voice has been disregarded. Moreover, my constitutional right to formalize opposition through a petition for a referendum has been rejected on a number of false arguments. I feel that there is a great deal of resistance to the construction of a centralized sewer system – the most recent vote for the Seeley Lake Sewer Board members is clear proof of the opposition. For example, challenger Troy Spence r...
SEELEY LAKE - The Sewer Board has published proposed rules for governing its sewer operation. They are a must-read and are available online, at the County annex and the Seeley Lake Public Library at Seeley-Swan High School. They are disturbing. They violate your civil rights and they absolve the District Board of any liability. As they are proposed, a sewer district employee can enter your home and examine “the manner in which the water is used” to ensure compliance with their rules. The installation is at your expense except for a narrow win...
MISSOULA - Perhaps many of you in the Seeley-Swan Valley area are aware there is an old bridge down in Missoula on the west side of town. It has been the subject of debate and controversy for over 25 years. Undoubtedly, most of you believe you have bigger things to worry about than some “neighborhood” dispute about a bridge. Let us take a minute and give you some reasons why you should be very concerned about what some of your County Commissioners are up to. In 1994, studies began to see if replacing the old Maclay Bridge was feasible, and at...
SWAN VALLEY – She was born on a cold winter day, wrapped and warm, high above the headwaters, in the same landscape where she later gave birth to celebrated triplets. Her neighbors loved her and many people experienced firsthand the wonder of those young siblings following mama through the forests they called home. Last week this shining example of creation died a quiet, sobering death – not because she had failed but because this now grieving community had failed her. She was so greatly admired that we gave her a name from the mountains themse...
Rural Montana is facing some pressing challenges. We must provide quality medical care for an aging population, so our seniors can enjoy healthy, vibrant lives in the communities they’ve always called home. And we need to create more jobs for the next generation of rural Montanans so they have the opportunity to live in our great state. These two objectives both require enhancements to our health care system, but we need to implement these enhancements in a way that will not jeopardize access to healthcare for people who live and work in r...
The Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act (S. 1765) represents the best of Montana politics: collaborative, consensus-based policy intended to benefit everyone who lives and recreates in the Blackfoot River watershed. Diverse stakeholder groups have spent years creating a comprehensive plan for one of the most productive and storied landscapes in all of Montana. I will note that the BCSA’s incredible broad base of support – ranchers, timber companies, hunters, anglers, conservation groups, off-road enthusiasts and die-hard wilderness adv...
SEELEY LAKE - The sewer debate is about justice and fairness. Here are a couple of parameters. We all perform the same daily bodily functions, whether we’re registered to vote, own property or not. Fairness suggests we ALL have a say in this sewer debate, because even though a majority of the citizens don’t vote or own property they will pay for this new proposed sewer. Business people, the principal landowners, will certainly pass the increased sewer costs through to their customers and take a tax deduction for the expense. So, as it stands no...
It seems that everyone in Montana except Cory Stapleton knows that he is unqualified to fill any elected position. Stapleton seems either incompetent, corrupt or possibly both. Cory has done damage during the short time he has been in this office. He openly violates the law requiring he live in Helena. He improperly uses a state-owned vehicle and fuel to go home frequently. He claimed less than 0.1 percent error in voting was proof of massive voter fraud. He awards contracts to friends. etc. What Montana needs is a person working to make...
Climate change and global warming are important issues for Montanans. Coming changes will broadly impact our economic sectors and put inevitable strain on state resources. Challenges need to be addressed, especially in agricultural, business and tourism sectors where impacts are already being felt. The unpredictable weather patterns of a changing climate continue to have drastic consequences and Montana needs to be prepared. Along with planning for the future, we need to address the causes of climate change and hold fossil fuel industries...
Dear Mr. Goodover and Board Members - The Missoula City-County Health Board supports the resolution to require connection of all properties within the Seeley Lake Sewer District to the public sewer system as it becomes available. The Health Board is concerned about the nitrate levels in Seeley Lake’s groundwater and public sewer is a proven way to reduce the impact of septic system pollution in a community. However, in order to reap the benefit of public sewer, it is important that the number of connections be maximized. Recent water quality da...
Primary election season is upon us. It’s our responsibility to thoughtfully select candidates for our respective parties. Republican candidates for the governor’s seat present unique qualifications, temperaments and records. All have served in government positions. Each have held private sector roles. Two of the candidates Al Olszewski and Tim Fox are lifelong Montanans. Only Olszewski is a military veteran. In April 2019, Fox joined with David Yost, Ohio AG in filing an Amicus Brief supporting the preservation of Obamacare. While Fox’s motiv...
SEELEY LAKE - The sewer board’s attorney comes across as being overly aggressive and occasionally patronizing and seems to take an awful lot of liberties and “willful interpretations.” Such behavior distorts the law and results in minimizing the rights of the public to have their will respected. The board then feels confident to go its merry way in carrying out anything they want to, including overriding public sentiment. I presented a petition signed by 182 Seeley Lake constituents, who are in Phases 1-4, opposing the mandate to hook up to the...
