Volume XIX, Number 33

Wednesday, March 10, 2004

By Robert Palubicki, Stevensville

I would like to say to whom it concerns, but this concerns everyone in the valley. Two years ago my family and l moved to this beautiful valley, I am from Wisconsin, my wife is a native of Stevensville. l work at an auto parts store and hear a lot of talk. The talk I hear is about the way the valley seems to be heading, and the number of California and Texas summer homes here. Well, l am tired of hearing this.

I am a low to middle income wage earner and my wife is a stay-at-home mom to our recently turned five-year-old. We rent a nice house. The key phrase here is rent a house. Due to the inflated price of property here in the valley, a family such as mine cannot even come close to being able to afford even one acre to build on.

Here is an example. We had found a person who was wanting to sell two acres and we had talked about a reasonable price. Seeing as how the price on the 10 acres was $80,000, we agreed on $16,000 plus subdivision fees. Pretty sweet, huh? Then this person decides to talk to a realtor and the realtor tells them that they need to get at least $40,000. Now, I don't want to be rude but why? The size of our purchase did not change and we were willing to pay the subdivision fee (about $5,000).

l hear a lot of down talk about the Californians buying up all the property. Well, if you price it so someone who wants to live in the valley full-time can't afford it, then all you are doing is promoting it. I talked to someone who has over 27 acres for sale and he was asking $225,000 or there about and was getting no bites. He then raised the price to half a mill and has had four inquiries from out of state!

I know there are lots of families out there in this valley in the same boat as us, too low income to afford property but don't want to leave the place they grew up.

Everyone who has property for sale should wake up and smell the coffee, eventually all of the towns in the valley will have population signs that read "Population: 120,000 summer/100 winter." Don't laugh, l know a town in Wisconsin like this. They have a large amount of Chicago and Minneapolis summer homes and their sign reads "82,000 summer and 50 winter." Not 50,000 but 50!!!

Also, this kind of practice will drive business out. Who will there be to do the work when the whole valley is summer residency only and the rich kids don't need a summer job to get what they want?

In case you haven't noticed I am not some highly educated individual, however, l did graduate from high school and served my country for 20 years in the military and my oldest daughter has been on the honor roll since we moved here, and I hold a full time job that pays slightly above normal for the valley. Yet I cannot even afford to purchase two acres because all the land owners who are selling are greedy and want $20,000 an acre.

My goodness people, it's only dirt.

P.S. If anyone comes to their senses, l can afford about $15- to $20,000 for a couple of acres - 642-9504.

Support for Kathleen Driscoll

This letter is an appeal to all voters of Ravalli County but especially to the Republican and Independent voters of the newly formed House District 88. Recently you received your new registration cards showing the changes in voter requirements. As a person who has been elected and reelected six times on the Republican/Conservative lines I have agreed to serve Kathleen Driscoll as her treasurer. She is seeking the position to represent House District 88 in the upcoming election.

The ballot box is the most powerful weapon the people have. It's time for a change - government works best when it's in the hands of the people. It's time for the people to have their voices heard. One of the main problems in government is lack of communication between our elected officials and the community. Kathleen can give you a partnership as your representative with the elected officials of all of Ravalli County. Communication with our residents is the vital link. The public has a right to know everything that will have an impact on their financial well-being. All throughout the state polls show those who have been at the public trough for a number of years are in trouble of being reelected. These are the people who have lost touch with the people.

Kathleen Driscoll can change this with your help. She can provide the leadership for a revitalized community where all problems can be faced sensibly, with proper approach, with good cause and with your support. She will listen and consider your views in making decision that affect the welfare of Ravalli County. Join me in keeping your voice in government by voting and electing Kathleen Driscoll as the House Representative of District 88.

Bob Frost
Hamilton

Support for Second Amendment

Dear Editor,

This week marks Montana's official observance of the right to keep and bear arms. Montana's legislature has set aside this week to commemorate our heritage of the freedom permitting Montanans to possess arms, both as sportsmen and defenders of home, person, and property.

It is our week to celebrate the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, whose founders articulated a cherished liberty: "[T]he right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."

In perfect agreement, Montana's own Constitution underscores this freedom: "The right of any person to keep or bear arms in defense of his own home, person, and property, or in aid of the civil power when thereto legally summoned, shall not be called in question."

I urge every Montanan to join me in celebrating and reflecting on our right to keep and bear arms - another reason to be proud of our great state and grateful for this wonderful nation.

Denny Rehberg
Montana's Congressman

When does it become 'science'?

Dear Editor,

I do not understand Rod Miner's fear regarding the Darby School Board's decision to allow teaching Objective Origins into the Darby curriculum. The school board has repeatedly stated that it is not their intention to teach Intelligent Design, Creationism or any other form of philosophical or theistic content. Rather, only a discriminating critique of Darwinian evolutionary theory, something that no open-minded scientist who is truly interested in facts and truth needs to fear.

Having said that, I do wish to comment nonetheless on what Miner has stated in the past, in that I.D. is not science because it is not "testable." Currently in the field of Cosmology (a scientific study and analysis of the Universe), scientists are proposing a theory called Dark Energy, to explain the increasing acceleration observed in the expanding universe. Science has yet to fully explain this phenomenon, or even understand what it is that is being proposed, nonetheless, it is both an accepted theory, and mainstream science. Is it "testable"? Perhaps, but not at least, at the present time. However, this lack of "testability" does not negate the fact that it is science. So Miner's statement indicates either his lack of understanding of what science is, or how scientific theory is developed.

Lastly, whether or not the Objective Origins proposition was presented by a pastor, and whether or not an attorney from the ADF will represent the School Board, is irrelevant to the questions surrounding whether or not Darwinian evolutionary theory is sound science. The proposition and representation could have come from a pastor, an atheist, or a gorilla from the Congo. What matters are the facts of the case, the science, or the lack thereof.

Tom Kresan
Stevensville

Thanks from accident victim

Dear Editor,

I would like to thank all members of the Sunshine Group of Sapphire Quilters. The support shown by them for a member of the community should be commended. The quilt they gave me is an appreciated gesture of humanity in the community. I would also like to thank all the people who showed support through this time of rehabilitation.

Lance Marshall
Stevensville