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Opinion / Letters To The Editor


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  • Poetic justice

    Jan 23, 2025

    Back in 2009 when Barrack Obama became President, and the Democrats controlled both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives, he told the Republicans "elections have consequences". How true that was back then, but how true that is today. Only today the shoe is on the other foot and, yes, elections still do have consequences. There is plenty of whining and gnashing of the teeth right now from the very people who in 2009 laughed and chuckled when they heard how Obama said it. But now, it seems, many of those same people appear to have...

  • Republicans rescind endorsement

    Jan 23, 2025

    On January 18, 2025, by a unanimous vote of the precinct committee persons present and voting, the Sanders County Republican Central Committee (SCRCC) rescinded our committee’s endorsement of Denley Loge for public office and offers the following public explanation: Last year, Denley Loge of St. Regis, MT, filed as a Republican candidate for Montana Senate District #7, which encompasses Mineral County and portions of Missoula and Sanders County. Although we were aware that Mr. Loge’s track record as a former State Representative included vot...

  • Squeaky wheel gets the grease

    Jan 23, 2025

    Thanks to the Ledger, those who led and attended meetings in Noxon, word of mouth, and even Facebook, Sanders County is becoming informed about the dire state of the Noxon Bridge. The lifespan of our bridge is nearing its end. We are told that it has five years of life left if all drivers cross it at 10 mph and if vehicles over the weight limit stay off of it. As it is the lifeline to so many things as well as our connection to friends and family, we need to get serious about contacting our elected leaders who have the power and connection to...

  • Discouraging setbacks

    Jan 23, 2025

    As if we haven't had our share of setbacks, Noxon is experience theft and vandalism. A sign promoting rebuilding was taken, "FOR SALE" signs have been taken down or removed, and cones along property lines have been run over or placed elsewhere. It is very discouraging. There are many hard working volunteers in our community making our concern of Montana a better place; but, it takes all of us, working together, to promote growth. Joyce Hilt, Noxon...

  • Do two wrongs make a right?

    Jan 16, 2025

    Editor, “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need”, is a well known quote by Karl Marx in 1875. This is a basic tenet of Marxism/Communism. This is what HB 819, passed by our legislature in 2023, accomplishes. The bill allocated $175 million out of general fund tax dollars and $50 million out of coal tax funds for financial assistance to lower income home-buyers. Do you ever wonder where the tax money you pay goes? Each county must vote to accept or reject the funding. The Flathead County Commissioners recognized the...

  • Sve your egg money

    Jan 9, 2025

    Come on bakers. Don’t buy that dozen eggs for $5 and $7. Instead you can substitute 1/4 cup yogurt for two or three eggs when baking. Also instead of 1/2 cup oil, use unsweetened applesauce. Happy cooking! June Smith, Trout Creek...

  • A call to action

    Jan 9, 2025

    Yesterday, Sat. 1/4/25, I attended a gathering in Noxon to learn more about the bridge, to hear from elected officials & what we can do to bring more attention to decision makers. Tony Cox, Dan Rowan, & a rep. from Zinke's Flathead office, Steve Howke, was there. The organizer of this gathering reached out to all local, state & federal elected officials, with minimal or no response. [Where were Paul Fielder and Greg Hertz? Inquiring mind here.] I am not a resident of Noxon, nor have I been to Noxon almost ever, but I was nudged to attend to...

  • Missing in action

    Jan 9, 2025

    Over the past two months there have been two meetings in Noxon regarding the replacement of the Noxon bridge. The first meeting was focused on fact-finding in an effort to correct misinformation circulating through the community. The second meeting was a call to action in an effort to gainfully engage the community in finding the funding to replace the bridge in a timely fashion. Organizers of the meetings invited county and federal officials to both meetings. They included: our county commissioners, our district senator and district...

  • Don't tax the right to live here

    Jan 2, 2025

    Jim Elliott has just noticed what we who left California 20 years had already experienced: what they affectionately, in their socialist wisdom, the "view shed" not yet "taxed", but taxing to anyone who chose to build a home on lawfully purchased land near some weanies who could not stand to lose what they thought was their - and only their - right to enjoy an unencumbered view of some pre-human-existing "shed". What can we expect now - now that Jim Elliott has decided to advertise for yet another TAX on our rights to live in Montana?...

  • Deserving of a comment

    Dec 26, 2024

    The editorial by Ed Moreth in the November 21 edition deserves a comment. The insensitive term an illegitimate child was deleted 50 years ago because of the stigma attached to the child. It was replaced by illegitimate parent. This correction was necessary to protect the innocent child. The proper term should have been Grover Cleveland was an illegitimate parent....

  • New year, new chance to quit

    Dec 26, 2024

    Hello from Sanders County Health Department. – Every year, thousands of Montanans look at the New Year as an opportunity to make positive life changes. Quitting is one of the best things you can do for your health and help is available. Quit Now Montana (1-800-784-8669 or QuitNowMontana.com) is a free service available to all Montanans who are ready to quit tobacco. Remember, Quit Now Montana is for all types of tobacco: cigarettes, smokeless, cigars, e-cigarettes (vapes), and nicotine pouches. No matter what type of tobacco you use, Quit N...

  • Thanks for your letter

    Dec 19, 2024

    “LET THEM BELLS RING” Kudos to Frank Robirts! Your last week letter shouts out the TRUTH! You should be on the cover of Time Magazine. Sincerely, Colleen Hinds, Heron...

  • Plains lucky to have chief

    Dec 19, 2024

    Dear editor, Praise is in order to Plains Mayor Joel Banham and the city council for their timely investigation and public clearing of Plains Police Chief Brian Josephson of any wrong doing. I worked with Brian Josephson for a number of years when I was in law enforcement and he was one of the most upright, honest and competent officers I have known. His commitment to the community and upholding the law in a fair and efficient manner has always been unwavering. Plains is very lucky to have Brian as its chief and I hope he is not deterred by...

  • Don't fight fire with fire

    Dec 12, 2024

    I'm probably getting a lump of coal in my stocking or a glitter bomb on my car for saying this, but I haven't put up one Christmas decoration this year. I'm doing some holiday-ish things here and there by putting together an Advent devotional book for church and a couple of garlands up at The Ledger. However, the holidays seem to be sneaking up on me and there's still so much to get done. My next-door neighbors have a fantastic larger than life reindeer in their front yard with a light shining on it at night. Going to work in the early morning...

  • Talk about negative

    Dec 12, 2024
    1

    Dear Editor, After reading the response to my letter by Mr. Thompson, I feel compelled to respond myself. First off, I would like to thank all Mr. Thompson’s relatives, my relatives and all other veterans for their service to our country. In addressing your perception of me being negative in my letter, I think it is ironic because all I did was state facts that are a matter of record about the president-elect. Talking about negative, from the president-elect’s supporters, for the last four years (eight really) all I’ve seen is slogans like...

  • RE: personality disorders

    Dec 5, 2024

    Read with interest Jim Elliott's November 21 column regarding personality disorders. While I am not certain he was writing about the President Elect, that is the impression I took from it. (Gosh I had no idea one could become an authority on something by reading Good Housekeeping magazine. Why spend 8 plus years in medical school and tens of thousands of dollars?) I couldn't help but noticing Mr. Elliott's notation that he spent 16 years in the Montana Legislature, so maybe he recognizes the disorder. Although I would have to agree with him to...

  • Allow small boats on river

    Dec 5, 2024

    Dear Editor: After reading your news concerning the petition filed with the Fish and game commission that opposes motors on boats in the Bull River, I obtained a copy of the petition by Paul Overman of Heron, MT. In reading the petition, it bans all motors and imposes a "no-power use" rule on the Bull River. There is no distinction between electric motors and any power motors in the petition. I have lived here on the Bull River, above where the East Fork comes in for 38 years now, and I have a 9 foot boat with a 1.5 hp motor, very small. No...

  • Sad reality for Noxon bridge

    Dec 5, 2024

    Dear Editor: After reading your news concerning the petition filed with the Fish and game commission that opposes motors on boats in the Bull River, I obtained a copy of the petition by Paul Overman of Heron, MT. In reading the petition, it bans all motors and imposes a "no-power use" rule on the Bull River. There is no distinction between electric motors and any power motors in the petition. I have lived here on the Bull River, above where the East Fork comes in for 38 years now, and I have a 9 foot boat with a 1.5 hp motor, very small. No...

  • Montana(?) Viewpoint

    Nov 28, 2024

    I’ve always found Mr. Jim Elliott’s articles in the “Montana Viewpoint” section interesting, though not for the reasons one might expect. It’s not because he offers any particularly insightful perspective on Montana or shares any meaningful wisdom from Sanders County-Trout Creek. In fact, Mr. Elliott’s viewpoints rarely, if ever, align with the views held by most of the Trout Creek community—about three-quarters of whom would likely disagree with him. What’s clear is that his commentary is consistently slanted and partisan. Given his backg...

  • Don't judge the negative

    Nov 21, 2024

    In response to the negative letter concerning the election results, it only adds to the division which exists in this country now. You talked about veterans like that gave you the right to judge Trump. Let's see - my grandpa Henry served in WWI. My uncle Bunell stormed the beaches of Normandy during WWII and miraculously survived. My uncle Maynard was killed in the Korean War. My father Richard (Dick) Thompson was in the Navy in teh South Pacific during WWII. Uncle Jerry served in Korea, brother Bob was in the Air Force and I was a MP in the...

  • Thankful it's over

    Nov 14, 2024

    I'm really thankful that this election cycle is over. The overwhelming negative political ads were an assault to the senses with constant bombardment by mail, telephone, internet and TV. I would like civility to return to the political arena. Wouldn't it be wonderful if candidates focused on telling us how they were qualified for the job and what they had to offer us. Instead, we get misinformation, half-truths, blatant lies, fear mongering, slander and the character assassination of the opponent. Linda Yeargin, Trout Creek...

  • Wanting to help

    Nov 14, 2024

    As a mom of four, one of the things I miss most during the holidays is cooking for my kids. Our kitchen was always the heart of our home, and nothing brought me more joy than spending the day preparing their favorite holiday dishes. This year, I’ve decided to cook Thanksgiving dinner like I used to, but I don’t want any food to go to waste. If there are a couple families/individuals in need this Thanksgiving who would appreciate a home-cooked meal, please email me. I usually make turkey, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bea...

  • Veterans Day 2024

    Nov 14, 2024

    Dear Neighbor, I’m writing this letter on behalf of my father and other relatives that served this great country. So, on Veterans day 2024, I wish to express these thoughts for my father Master Chief Petty Officer Dale S. Robirts, my uncle Master Sergeant Kenneth Jackson, his son Senior Chief Petty Officer Randy Jackson, who guarded U.S. Embassies all over the world for 20 years as a Marine, and Randy Bedwell, a U.S. FBI agent killed in the line of duty. That’s not to mention 30-40 other relatives of mine who have served, all to keep this cou...

  • Vote independent

    Oct 31, 2024

    Inflation is one of the top priorities for most voters. Electric rates are one of the driving factors in this. The current Public Service Commission is doing nothing to address this and have been nothing more than a rubber stamp for the rate increases by Northwestern Energy. Our current representative on this Commission, Jennifer Fielder, has been one of the worst Commissioners for allowing this to happen. There is a bright spot for future representation on the Public Service Commission and that is Elena Evans. She is an Independent and not...

  • Representing our future

    Oct 31, 2024

    There are people in this world who possess the wisdom of generations, and carry it with them with grace, aplomb, and equanimity. Shelly Fyant is one of those people. She is a friend, a mother, an inspirational community leader, and she is, by any metric, the most qualified candidate to represent Montana’s House District 91. Shelly is other-centered, she is a strategic thinker, and she has a vision for a healthy, equitable, and sustainable Montana that starts now and ensures future generations will enjoy the beauty and abundance we all t...

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