Category Archives: Guest comment

Stevensville Civic Club needs your participation

By Darlene Grove, Victoria Howell, Amy Ling, Robin Holcomb and Billy Donaldson, Stevensville Civic Club We are not sure those who live in the greater Stevensville community realize the importance of the Stevensville Civic Club. It’s been the main mover in many of the activities, projects and events that have taken place in our community…

Open letter to Ravalli County Commissioners

By Allen Bjergo, President, Tonia Bloom, Secretary, Roy Meyer, Treasurer Dear County Commissioners, In 2009, we wrote to you about our concerns regarding pedestrian and bicycle safety at the Woodside Bridge.  Four years, at least one accident, and countless near misses later our concern has only increased.  The lack of pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure at…

Praise for ‘apprentice hunter certificate’ bill

By Senator Scott Boulanger, Senate District 44 Hunting is one of Montana’s most treasured pastimes and is an activity that creates lasting bonds between family and friends, fathers, sons, mothers and daughters. It helps build character in our children and teaches them the value of the great outdoors. Some of my fondest memories in life…

Time to abolish the death penalty in Montana

By Star Jameson, Hamilton   February 14 was an exciting day! House Bill 370, which proposes to abolish the death penalty and replace it with life without parole, was heard on Valentine’s Day in the House Judiciary Committee. After years of trying to fix the death penalty, Montanans are ready to just get rid of…

On gun control and the 2nd Amendment

By Chris Hoffman, Ravalli County Sheriff In recent days, I have received dozens of phone calls and emails from Ravalli County citizens wanting to know where I stand with regard to the 2nd Amendment. The questions have generally been phrased something like this: Chris, in light of the renewed efforts to ramp up gun control,…

Hopeful about Montana legislative session

By Bob Brown, Missoula Both President Obama and his Congressional adversaries have shown themselves to be better at making tough talk to each other than making the tough choices necessary for the country. Their response to the so-called “fiscal cliff” did not involve a single tough decision and actually increased the national debt. The country…

Community meeting set for January 19 at Lone Rock School

By Dan Metully, Chairman, Lone Rock School Board of Trustees As a result of past community meetings in the winter of 2011, many great things got started, and though at first blush it might seem a small thing, a senior group was formed. This senior group however, may represent the beginning of one of our…

Time for bold action on biofuels issue

By Dave Juday, Economist   President Obama’s re-election paves the way for him to actually pursue the “all of the above” energy strategy he has promised. After a series of government-backed green tech companies collapsed, order cheap cialis online the Obama team smartly shifted away from its renewables-only myopia and — at least rhetorically —…

Reflecting on what truly makes us great

By John Bell, Hamilton I realize the election is over. My point is not to make a political stand. The shocking travesty to me was the widespread propaganda about those who depend upon some government assistance. Are there really people out there who believe that anyone who receives food stamps, Medicaid, housing or farm subsidies,…

HR 4089 most serious attack on Wilderness Act yet

  By Stewart Brandborg, Hamilton Conservationists and wilderness enthusiasts across America are mobilizing to defeat a bill passed by the House of Representatives in April that would eviscerate the 1964 Wilderness Act. Deceptively entitled the Sportsmen’s Heritage Act, the bill (H.R. 4089) purports to protect hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting. The bill is being pushed…