Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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Editor: The possibility of a “nuisance dog barking” ordinance has understandably raised the ire of rural Sanders County citizens on both sides of the issue. Those who live within earshot of dogs that bark for prolonged intervals day and night are rightfully upset with the resulting lack of sleep and disturbance of the peace. Those who stand up against overreaching government regulation fear the ordinance will trample on their personal rights. It’s a tough situation with no easy answer. The proposed ordinance is not aimed at your average, every...
May 6-10 is National Teacher Appreciation Week and all teachers in Sanders County certainly deserve many thanks. The ranking of beginning pay for teachers in the fifty states and the District of Columbia has Montana teachers ranked 51st……dead last. That makes it exceedingly hard for our rural schools to recruit new teachers. It also shows why so many teachers trained at Montana colleges and universities go the large city systems in our state or leave Montana for a job. It would be nice if parents and school board members this week would exp...
Dear Editor, I read with interest your recent editorial expressing your goals to combine small-town journalism with a forum for differing local opinions. Both are respectable and laudable goals to be sure. It got me thinking about the general role and objectives of a small-town paper in this world of instant, bombarding technology where tweet-bites have us turning our heads and raising our eyebrows, where the tone of national news has become droning tirades. It is generally refreshing that this local paper is a counter-point; it is our...
Editor, Another “dog whistle” opinion piece by Blaine Blackstone is enough. The latest Street Smart assault, dated April 25, 2019, is a paraphrased rant, sounding like a Fox News infomercial. Blackstone wrote a glossed over misrepresentation of what Mueller actually reported, while not mentioning the constraints of the ‘special counsel’ guidelines. According to a Washington Post/ABC News poll, over half the population (55%) want to get to the bottom of the un-redacted Mueller Report and not rely on Attorney General Barr’s totally misleadin...
Some friends wanted me to continue writing about the Mueller investigation, it’s outcome, and the impact of Attorney General Barr’s recent testimony. Quite frankly though, I’m bored with the whole thing. In my opinion it’s over. The Democrats in D.C. will keep it on life support because it’s really all they have to work with (especially in light of the April jobs report!). Now it’s just painful to watch. Especially when I heard Senator “Stolen Valor” Blumenthal comment that Barr lacked integrit...
Another Blaine Blackstone column straight from the Trump administration’s government mouthpiece, Fox News. Mueller failed to find sufficient evidence to conclude that the Trump campaign “colluded” with Russia. As stated in the report, Mueller’s failure to find evidence may be due, in part, to President Trump’s obstruction of justice. Mueller lays out 11 examples of obstruction of justice for Congress to decide a course of action (Department of Justice policy is that it will not indict a sitting president). As legal analysts and law professor...
I want to thank The Ledger and John Hamilton for his kind words about my past teaching and coaching. I graciously accept them. The Lord’s been good to me. I am so fortunate to have known so many fine young athletes who loved sports and honest competition. I am also extremely grateful to fellow teachers, friends and especially head coaches, Curt Kegel, Bob Crowder, Chadd Laws and Randy Pirker, who have taken me in as an assistant. I have learned from all of them. Thank you all. Gary Thompson, Thompson Falls...
Dear Editor, I have found the column by Blaine Blackstone to be rather refreshing. I especially liked his views on the Hypocrites that have “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” While he happened to mention a few Democrats, he should have gone further. Most of Hollywood has this same disease. I mention disease because it has to be catching. Many college professors, school administrators and leaders of foreign countries also have caught the fever. But what started this sickness that is focused on one man? Could it have been the secret society of “ba...
Just a reminder to community members that there will be two major visual arts events held in Thompson Falls on Saturday, April 13. The Flat Iron Quilting Guild has its annual show at the High School. The show opens at 9:30 a.m. The Sunflower Gallery artisans will have their Open House on Saturday and will also be hosting the “Monday Painting Class: art show and reception at 10-5 p.m. Door prizes are to be given and light refreshments will be available at both shows. Our local artists have been busy working on their projects this winter. Make S...
Mr. Blackstone: Please, please STOP IT! Enough is enough! To imply Mr. Trump’s constant lying, name-calling, bullying, and history of infidelity is OK because some Democrats have been accused of/guilty of similar misdeeds is unbelievable (Remember Bill Clinton was impeached). Your backwards reasoning reminds me of my brother when he was 5, “But Mom, Jimmy did it first! Mikey lied too.” Weren’t we all supposed to grow-up somewhere along the way? We should all be proud of the Democratic-led Congress for acknowledging the need for an Anti-Ha...
Dear Editor, The article in the March 28th edition about legislative action titled “Bill Aims to Prohibit Union Coercion” is a deception, a wolf in a sheep’s hide and another stab in the back to “Middle America” by government that is being bought and paid for by the “filthy rich.” Whether you work union or non-union, are in business or work independently, every person on this planet working to become self sufficient and independent has a responsibility to thank those who came before us who worked and died for the right to “Collectively Bargain...
Recently The Ledger asked local citizens whether Montana troops should be sent to patrol the U.S.-Mexico border. Of the six replies, all supported the possibility. Two spun off into support for The Wall, one into sympathy for President Trump. That same week I received an anonymous e-mail supporting a wall as a cure for immigration problems, as proved by God’s directive to the Hebrews to build a wall around Jerusalem some 3,000 years ago. It’s obvious that this Southwest issue, particularly The Wall, is on everyone’s mind, even up here in Monta...
Dear Ledger and this wonderful community I feel fortunate to live in: I’m inspired with great emotions beside awesome appreciation living in the northwest corner of Montana. This time of the year is inspirational, simpatico, exploding with newly perpetual life all around us. The beautiful contrast, white snow upon the darker rocks, boulders and stately mountains. It is like a tapestry of rich, multi-colored pictorial designs perfectly woven together by "His great hands." The flowing and still waters show darker shadows, darker reflections of d...
A recent resignation on the Noxon School Board precipitated the need for an appointment to finish out the term. Three candidates applied for the position. Full disclosure: I was one of those candidates. While disappointed I wasn’t chosen, I have every confidence the selected candidate will do an excellent job. I found the process to be very fair. The process started by advertising the opening 72 hours after the resignation as outlined by board policy. What perplexes me is why the board chose not to follow these guidelines when selecting a m...
March is National Red Cross Month, and there’s no better time to roll up your sleeves, get involved in your community and join our team. Almost every day in Montana, the Red Cross responds to a disaster, many right here in this area. Our Disaster Action Team volunteers are often some of the first on the scene, delivering food, shelter and support to families following a flood or house fire. The Red Cross also collects lifesaving blood and keeps Montana’s hospital shelves stocked. Blood ambassador volunteers welcome our blood donors and mak...
There is a new word being thrown around that most people haven’t heard of – “infanticide.” Which is most appropriately defined as murder. If your Congress person voted for this, they don’t deserve their office. Gary Thompson, Thompson Falls...
The sportsman’s meeting held in Kalispell, January 30, drew 400 plus attendees. We would like to thank the area sportsmen and women, the Foundation for Wildlife Management, Montana Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks for being there. It was a very passionate, concerned crowd who were frustrated with the ungulate population counts in Region One, located in Northwestern Montana. Following is some alarming information received from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks on ungulate and p...
This is to serve as a warning anyone who might want to welcome a roommate to share their home. I recently had one such experience that involved a veteran who came recommended by a friend. This veteran, a man, came and told me that he would pay me for the privilege of sharing my home. He said at the outset that he would pay me $150 on the first day of the month and an additional $150 on the 15th. I thought that would work out well enough and help me pay some of my bills. So, I agreed to his living with me. He paid the agreed amount on the first...
Dear Editor, I am in favor of moving forward with Phase I and II of the wastewater project. I would like the City Council to vote in favor of this and would like to encourage everyone in favor to send a note or email to City Hall, by the end of this week, expressing their support. The wastewater project is needed to help address the septic problems that are happening and will continue to happen. These are things that we know for sure: 1. If you eat, you have to poop. 2. Septic systems on the hill are failing and there is not enough room on...
I feel the need to express how much I enjoy the bi-weekly columns written by Blaine Blackstone. The topic and content of his January 31 commentary was spot on. When we are being daily bombarded with unsubstantiated rhetoric from our biased press, his viewpoint is a breath of fresh air. I find it amazing that our congressional leaders, Speaker of the House Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader McConnell, and Senate Minority Leader Schumer have a total of two years work experience between the three of them. Senator McConnell did work two years for a...
We’ve listened at the public meetings and hearings. We’ve read the news articles. We’ve spoken with our neighbors. Now is the time to look up, look around. Others, Main Street Committee, Trails Committee, Chamber of Commerce see the value and importance of investing in this community. I encourage those on the hill to join this vision, for a better community, and look to the future viability of Thompson Falls. It is our responsibility to leave our world better for future generations. Step up and support the Special Improvement District. It do...
On Tuesday, January 22 I had the honor to testify before the House Subcommittee for Veterans' Affairs. I was supporting the Ravalli County Veterans group in their effort to get funding from the state to assist the financing necessary to establish a Veterans Service Office in every county in Montana. My testimony was requested and I accepted the privilege to represent the 1,500 veterans of Sanders County and add my support to all Montana counties' veterans. I arrived at the capitol and was getting oriented when House Representative Bob Brown...
If you received a letter from the City of Thompson Falls, about the Proposed Waste Water System, you were probably concerned or at least puzzled about what this all means. I’m sure glad the neighborhood was listening. Several residents have come together to provide a place to meet and give assistance as needed. If you happen to be opposed to the project, they are helping by providing a form letter with your parcel information included. They are delivering the letter to city hall if you so desire. It appears word of mouth, neighbor telling n...
Editor, We own the 508 Preston Avenue parcel and this letter is a written protest against the proposed water improvements and against the creation of the enlarged water district. We recognize the need for additional sewer connections above the railroad tracks and upgrades below the tracks. However, your Notice of Intention states the project will cost $688,000. Surely you left off a ZERO! $6,880,000 is a much more likely figure! As everyone who lives in Thompson Falls knows, above the railroad tracks that hillside is rubble from Glacial Lake...
About the only thing I can agree with Blaine Blackstone “Truth is incontrovertible” is his recommendation on checking the facts. Particularly, check the “facts” presented in his column. Speaker Pelosi was not the only one with a negative reaction to DHS Secretary Neilsen’s presentation. Senator Dick Durbin’s reaction to it included “it was preposterous” and “was not a credible presentation.” And as for listening to people on the ground, Todd Bensman, who worked for a decade along the Texas border: “I can say definitively that the number of te...
