Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Opinion & Editorial

by John & Darlene Grove, Stevensville

Under the 1964 Wilderness Act, we have an opportunity to move forward and formally designate wilderness protection for all of the last vestiges of remaining roadless wildlands in the Northern Rockies. It will take a common vision and leadership to achieve this goal. We believe that common vision is to assure the sustainability and integrity of our nation's watersheds.

As we read the articles and comments of many on this issue (including Jon Tester, Max Baucus, Denis Rehberg and many other Montanans), there are numerous important issues being raised. However, the most important reason for protecting our remaining roadless/wildlands is watershed protection. That, we believe, must be the paramount concern that unites us all.

The issue is not whether or not a wilderness bill is introduced by easterners, westerners or locals, it is not whether we have a collaborative process to promote, it is not whether we can reach a balance among competing interests, it is not about "access", nor it is about compromise and tradeoffs. The issue is how we will forever assure the protection and preservation of our wildland creeks, streams and springs, the source of an abundance of clean water for our communities, agriculture, recreation and wildlife.

Sound scientific studies and evidence indicates climate change, and its attendant implications, will have dramatic effects on this most basic resource of all, water. Water is and will be the most precious commodity in our lives. The quantity and quality of this resource will be of particular importance. Recently Forest Service Chief Gail Kimbell spoke of climate change and water. "As I said, climate change is linked to water - declining snowpacks, retreating glaciers, and changing patterns of precipitation and runoff. The evidence shows that we are entering a period of water scarcity not seen in our previous history. This is another concern I have heard again and again around the country: dwindling supplies of pure, clean water."

Federal lands encompass the last remaining roadless/wilderness areas in our nation, which produce the cleanest and best source of water. (Eighteen percent of the nation's water supply originates on national forest land.) They are unaltered watersheds. Scientific information tells us they are the most productive. They are the headwaters of such rivers as the Yellowstone, Gallatin, Beaverhead, Madison, Big Hole, Flathead, Dearborn, Smith, Sun, Marias, Blackfoot, Rock Creek and the Bitterroot. They are the very source of the Columbia and Missouri Rivers. These headwater streams facilitate the recharge of our groundwater resources. It has been well documented by the Forest Service and other land management agencies, that many human caused disturbances, such as those associated with logging, mining, and motorized off road vehicle use, cannot be accommodated without significant adverse impacts to forest streams. History has shown us such uses cannot be adequately controlled within our political system.

For the long term health of the land which equates to an adequate and clean water supply, all of the remaining national forest roadless wildlands of the Northern Rockies must have formal wilderness protection under the Federal 1964 Wilderness Act. That can, in our opinion, best be achieved by passage of the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act (NREPA). It is a proposal written in Montana, by Montana conservationists. We urge all Montanans and the Montana Congressional Delegation to fully support this bill.

New Year's plea

Dear Editor,

A New Year's plea on bended knee

From a Lorax that speaks for the bee

And all other critters large and wee,

That live on the land and in the sea

And every baby that soon will be.

Can’t you, won’t you

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE,

Work together to save all these?!!!!

Judy Hoy
Stevensville

Just say Merry Christmas

Dear Editor,

Advent season is in full swing. This should be a season of celebration as we anticipate Christmas and the birth of the Lord Jesus. Advent is also a time of preparation and reflection. What does the future hold? These thoughts come to mind as we look past Christmas and into a new year. It is certainly an interesting world in which we are now living. The events of our time as indicated in the news of our nation and world are more and more causing people to reflect upon the meaning of these days. Who can doubt that the happenings across our land are producing a rising level of excitement and nervous curiosity?

There is also an element of disappointment when one reflects upon the challenges that people of the Christian faith face regarding our traditions and heritage. Everyday there seems to be renewed attempts to remove from the public square those things that are held dear to most during this season.

In 2002, while I was still employed by the Montana State University Extension Service, agents were told that we could no longer wish clientele a Merry Christmas verbally or in any correspondence from our offices. MSU Administration told us this was a federal mandate. Well, I took it upon myself to challenge this notion and, with the aid of a conservative-minded legal organization, the University was asked to "show us the federal mandate." MSU Administration and their legal services could not produce this mandate and they were forced to back down. I retired in June of 2004 and guess what? Extension offices during Advent of 2004 were told they could not wish clientele a Merry Christmas. The politically correct secular progressives again had their way. The question I must ask, is this truly what the people of Montana want coming out of our tax-funded university system?

Recent occurrences to remove Christmas from the public square have been challenged. Two examples come to mind. Students at a university in Louisiana were told they could not refer to the "Holiday Tree" on their campus as a "Christmas Tree." The students challenged the administration and won. The tree on the campus is a "Christmas Tree." Secondly, the city of Fort Collins, Colorado had a task force of activists who opposed any hint of Christmas in the public square and demanded that the city council allow only white lights and secular winter symbols be seen on the city property. The city caved in, but briefly. Residents of Fort Collins challenged the city council and the council was forced to back down. The streets of the city are decorated again with red and green Christmas lights along with the traditional trees and wreaths.

Far too often the vast majority of people have been silent regarding these social issues. Organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other secular progressives are demanding that we restructure society according to their very much out-of-the-mainstream views. Is it not time to stand up to them? Enough is enough of this craziness coming from the political left.

I would love to see a flood of protest go to MSU Administration and the Board of Regents regarding the Merry Christmas issue in Extension offices throughout the state. Let them know what you think. Call your local Extension office for names and addresses and then wish them a very Merry Christmas.

John J. Maatta
Chester

Lone Rock park project update

Dear Editor,

Ravalli County Parks-Lone Rock Division is in the process of developing a new park. For many of you who don't know where this property is located or much about it, we are located on the north side of Ambrose Creek Road and the west side of Sunnyside Cemetery Road. We purchased this property and have worked to continue to pay it off as we move forward with the development. We are currently about $30,000 from having the land paid for.

During the past 13 months we have moved forward with many of our projects. We have leveled the areas of the baseball and soccer fields. This was done by Montgomery Contracting. With the areas leveled, we set forth to lay out the baseball and softball fields and to install the underground irrigation system as well as the main electric service to these areas. We will be able to water all the fields during the irrigation season with water from the BRID access. When we are not able to access this source – in the early spring and in the late fall – we will be able to keep fields green and growing with two irrigation wells we have developed. All of this also provides water and grass for the soccer field and a picnic area/playground area as well.

We are working with our architect to finalize plans for a concession stand, restroom and maintenance building. This will house our utility service area and provide storage areas for our tools and equipment. We hope to move forward with this in early spring.

We have our septic system installed at this time along with a well to supply potable water.

We are getting final figures and design plans for the parking lot, basketball court and tennis courts. We are hoping again to move forward with these in the spring. We have a walk path around and through the area that will also be developed as these projects move forward.

Currently we are awaiting a presentation at our January meeting from a person who specializes in skateboard and BMX parks. This could also become a new area in the park depending on funds and interest.

We will be in a position to use help and assistance from the community to develop many of these areas. We thank all of our suppliers and contractors for this past year's progress:

Montgomery Contracting

Paulson Electric

2-M Company

Matt Pendergast

Joe Crabtree, Art and Architecture

John Horat, Bitterroot Engineering and Design

Ron Benton

Eagle Drilling

Earth and Wood

Hallford Construction and Gravel

Chip and Cindy Wilcox

Ravalli County Bank

Josh Stevens

Three Mile-Lone Rock Community Foundation

Lone Rock School 8th Grade Shop Class

We have invested between $75,000 and $80,000 at this site and hope to be able to start using it by late summer or early fall 2008.

We are still maintaining our lease of the school ground and the equipment we have purchased with the Three Mile Fire Department, Lone Rock School and Sunnyside Cemetery. It would be great to drive by and envision what this will be like when it is completed.

We as the board of directors would like to say "thank" for your patience and consideration for our past years of developing this site.

Betsy Ballard, Faron Stevens, Maura Murray, Carol Ross, Gary Leese
Board of Directors, Ravalli County Parks-Lone Rock Division

Breath of fresh air

Dear Editor,

I just got the biggest breath of political fresh air that I have had in years. In the U.S. House of Representatives Congressional Record, I found this:

Has never voted to raise taxes.

Has never voted for an unbalanced budget.

Has never voted for the Iraq War.

Has never voted for a federal restriction on gun ownership.

Has never voted to increase the power of the executive branch.

Has never voted to raise congressional pay.

Has never taken a government-paid junket.

Voted against the Patriot Act.

Votes against regulating the Internet.

Voted against NAFTA and CAFTA.

Votes against the United Nations.

Votes against the corporate welfare state and polluters.

Votes against reinstating a military draft.

Votes to preserve the constitution.

Votes to cut government spending.

Votes to protect civil liberties.

Votes to secure our borders with real immigration reform.

Votes to protect religious freedom.

Do you know who I am talking about? Here's a few more clues: He does not participate in the lucrative Congressional pension plan. He returns a portion of his annual congressional budget to the U.S. Treasury every year. He has been in Congress since 1976. He voluntarily left Congress in 1984 but returned in 1997 due to constituent outcry. He has often been called the most honest man in government. He hasn't had a lobbyist visit him in years. He is an ob/gyn doctor who has delivered over 4000 babies. He is a Baptist who doesn't believe in using that as a campaign point. He and his wife Carol, have 5 children, 17 grandchildren and one great grandson. He was a flight surgeon in the United States Air Force in the 1960’s. Give up? His name is Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX) and we are fortunate enough to have him as a candidate to be our next president.

Sieglinde Sharbono
Stevensville

More taxation without representation

Dear Editor,

The Department of Revenue has proposed an administrative rule that virtually eliminates the energy conservation credit.

The proposed rule requires energy conservation investment to be in the prescriptive path and save 5% of energy required for heating, cooling, or lighting. Standard components, maintenance, repair, appliances or anything requiring human action do NOT qualify under the proposed rule.

The proposed rule states bill sponsor notice requirements do NOT apply.

When the executive branch usurps the power of the legislative branch, you have taxation without representation of our elected legislators.

James C. Wangerin, CPA
Deer Lodge

Greatly reassured?

Dear Editor,

Re: Smoke problem not so bad. Thank you, gentlemen, for this masterfully incisive piece on the issue!

Robert Gairing, Ph.D.
Stevensville

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