Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Opinion & Editorial

Ruth Thorning, Darby

On election night, my husband and I joined the couple who have been our closest friends for more than 40 years, Howard and Layna Lyons, for dinner at The Exchange in Hamilton as we waited for election results.

As the evening progressed, the room filled up with an enthusiastic crowd of people from the opposite political party. I knew most of them. After all, I ran as a Democrat for county commissioner just a few years ago.

I considered most of the folks in the room acquaintances, supporters and friends. But, in the two hours we were there, just two people crossed the room to speak to me, ask about some recent medical problems and wish me well - commissioner-elect Carlotta Grandstaff's husband, Dennis McIntyre, and Katherine (Quinty) Smith. As always, they were caring, considerate friends.

Except for the occasional sidelong glance, everyone else ignored me and my dining companions.

When I ran for political office, Howard and Layna supported me. When Howard ran for office , we supported him. That doesn't mean we agree on every issue - there are many on which we disagree, but that just leads to a lively, spirited discussion when we get together. And differing points of view don't change or hinder our friendship. People can disagree and still respect and care for each other.

The general feeling in the room was one of "What are they doing here?" What a horrible shame that was. If people can't find the common courtesy within themselves to walk across a 30-foot room and speak civilly to an acquaintance – whether they hold the same political views or not – how will we ever build a true discourse and find common ground between good people with differing points of view?

The "us versus them" mentality and the inability or unwillingness to consider others' points of view, will not serve the best interests of citizens of Ravalli County - now or in the future.

A new day is dawning in Ravalli County politics and there will be many changes and challenges in the months to come. I wish each of our new commissioners the best - they have a monumental task in front of them. And they need everyone in the county working together to make our future a reality we can be proud to pass on to future generations.

As the new commissioners take office and begin shaping our county's future, I hope they each make the effort to "walk across the room" and listen to all their constituents. Judging by Tuesday evening, it seems to be too difficult for a lot of people. Will our new commissioners lead by example and make that effort in the weeks and months to come? I sincerely hope so.

The evening was an eye-opener for me. I hope the day never comes that I can't speak to a friend, regardless of who is with that person. I hope the day never comes that I judge a person strictly by political beliefs and not by the totality of that person's being. I know the day will never come when I'm not willing to walk across a room.

Re: Distance Learning Rule

Dear Editor,

I attended the May 11 meeting of the State Board of Public Education concerning the Distance Learning Rule and its implications on the dual credit programs, where high school students earn dual credit for classes taken at the college level throughout our state.

When a student goes to a state college or university their tuition covers half of the cost of their education. The state pays the additional half. With the dual credit high school students can start earning college general education credits at a reduced rate. Starting early saves taxpayers the cost later. Dual credit programs are so cost-efficient that other states offer them to their high school students at little or no cost.

The Distance Learning Rule states that anyone teaching these courses as well as online classes must be elementary or high school certified by Montana.

I spoke regarding the importance of these programs, as did the Townsend superintendent, the director of distance learning at MSU-Great Falls, the dean and assistant dean at MSU-Great Falls, Kalispell assistant superintendent, Whitefish High counselor, Culbertson superintendent, principal and a counselor at Fairfield High.

Only one person spoke in favor, the president of the teacher's union, Eric Feaver. He spoke forcefully about the need for anyone teaching a high school student to be Montana board certified, including college professors and those teaching online courses from out of state. He was fervent in letting the board know that the union wanted this proposal passed.

State Board Member John Fuller stated he did not care whether or not high school students go to college, whether families can afford college, or about taxpayers. He also stated, if a high school student wants to enter college early, they can drop out at the age of sixteen, get a GED, then get their associates or bachelors degree.

Since five of the seven voting members are all teachers and their union leader has strongly voiced the opinion of their union, is this not a major conflict of interest?

The proposal passed unanimously, but there was an amendment added by Dr. Kirk Miller. This amendment assigns a task force to iron out the different issues, calculate how much this will cost the state. The amendment has up to July 1, 2009 for implementation.

There is still time to put pressure on the board members, the governor, the Superintendent of Public Instruction and our legislature. Let them know that you care about your child's choices, how your taxes are spent, that your sons and daughters go onto a successful college career, that we need the added edge both financially and academically that these programs provide.

Patricia Peebles
Kalispell

Opposed to Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act

Dear Editor,

The Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act (HR1975) proposes that Congress designate a 23,000,000-acre Wilderness – a designation that would cause forest ecosystems to suffer immensely and great economic damage throughout Montana and several adjacent western states!

Presettlement western forests were shaped by fire. Moist sites usually experienced intensive fires every 150-300 years, whereas drier sites historically experienced much shorter interval, lower intensity, fires that reduced the presence of species favored by shaded conditions and promoted longer lived, sun loving species. Successful forest fire suppression has resulted in stands with more crowded conditions of smaller, mostly shade favored species that are less fire, insect, and disease resistant. These crowded stands are subject to high mortality of both the smaller tree sizes as well as the large old-growth trees – mortality that has left forest fuel loads that greatly exceed historic norms. Fire ignition occurring on a hot, dry and/or windy day often results in large, difficult to control wildfires, threatening human lives and homes, as well as forest and urban infrastructure. Wilderness designation, thus no forest management possible, greatly exacerbates the situation.

Commercial timber harvest and thinning are necessary to maintain healthy tree spacing that promotes species best suited for ecosystem compatibility, growth potential, aesthetic qualities, and fire, insect and disease resistance. Forest management helps maintain acceptable forest fire fuel loads, promotes forest sustainability and infrastructure as well as a viable work force and business community.

The necessarily large investments in harvest and manufacturing facilities can only be possible when adequate and predictable volumes of timber are available on both private and public lands – harvests that are necessary to maintain a desirable, managed forest and the continued economy within many western communities.

Write our congressional delegation to stop HR 1975, the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act. (Hard to imagine a greater misnomer).

Roger C. Lund
Paradise

Thanks from Victor Garden Club

Dear Editor,

The Victor Garden Club had their dedication of the Blue Star Memorial on May 27 with many military organizations participating in the dedication. Over 200 people were in attendance. This ambitious project was in addition to the yearly flower plants raised for the park, and the plant and flower sales to cover park expenses. A huge thank you to all who made this possible. The community is welcomed to come and enjoy the beautiful park. Tax deductible donations to help with the expenses associated with the Blue Star Memorial may be made to the Victor Garden Club, PO Box 134, Victor MT 59875. Club members are also selling raffle tickets for many wonderful items, such as a large complete aquarium, child's bike and helmet, a wishing well, and many beautiful gift baskets. Contact Jean Thomas, 777 5010, or L. Copp, 643 3273, for more information.

Jean Thomas & L. Copp
Victor Garden Club

Never again in our valley

Dear Editor,

As we write this on Election Day, we do not know how the election turned out. No matter who won or lost, we believe it is important for everyone in this valley to hear or read the actual words of the ugly, dishonest attack ads that the Ravalli County Republican Central Committee began airing May 31st. These ads slandered local citizens who had the courage to run for political office. We need to speak with one voice on this type of behavior: NEVER AGAIN! NOT IN OUR VALLEY!

To hear or read the ads go to: www.mtdemocrats/ravalli (it’s much better to listen to them so you can hear the screechy, hysterical voices of the actors).

They were not about bringing up unpublicized issues: they were about activating the basest of the Republican base and appealing to those folks’ ignorance and fear. We are better than this. It’s up to you to let the Ravalli Republican Central Committee know it.

Pat Tucker and Bruce Weide
Hamilton

Thanks from Weed District

Dear Editor,

Thank you to all of the volunteers at the 3rd Annual Lee Metcalf Weed Round-Up on May 19th. A group of 39 volunteers pulled 1,526 pounds of noxious weeds from the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge and planted 30 riparian shrubs, contributing a total of 169 hours of volunteer service. Thanks again for all your efforts at making this a truly successful event. Special thanks to the Friends of Lee Metcalf, Super 1 and the Montana DNRC nursery for their donations towards this successful event. Thank you from the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge and the Ravalli County Weed District.

Lindsey Bona
Ravalli County Weed District

Looking for kind helper

Dear Editor,

This old man on crutches is trying to locate a very kind lady that helped me so that I would not fall while we were watching the Corvallis parade. We did not exchange names or phone numbers at the time and I am very sorry we didn't. Maybe if she reads this she will contact the newspaper and they will give her my number.

Dee Debaca
Hamilton

Thank you Hamilton PTA and community!

Dear Editor,

Congratulations to everybody who worked so hard to put on the 2nd annual Hamilton PTA run on Saturday – it was a beautiful day and a great success.

Throughout the course several of your local runners and Steve Gideon (cross country coach and government teacher at Darby) made sure that I knew my place -- which was far behind them.

The ideal of community really shone through in Hamilton, and it was great to see parents and others actively supporting their schools. As promised, Cheryl, I am joining the Hamilton PTA!

Steve Bullock
Helena

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