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Independently owned since 1905
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I was disappointed to see the letter opposing a four-day school schedule last week. It followed the formation of a calendar committee at the school, which happens before every school calendar is submitted to the board. No plan was presented, for either a four- or five-day schedule, so having an opinion was premature. Once the proposed calendar, or calendar options, become(s) available, I'll look it over, and maybe ask a few questions, before forming an opinion. I'd encourage other concerned people to do the same. Pat Crowder, Thompson...
Dear school superintendent and school board members, I am sending this email to express my concerns with the possible switch from a five day to four day school week. I am writing as a licensed clinical social worker, who has been working with children/teens and their families for over 20 years. I do not need to educate you on this poor rural community and the economic disadvantages many of these children/teens and families are experiencing today. The school has always been a refuge in times of stress and insecurities for many of those who are...
Sanders County Community Housing Organization, doing business as Community Housing is an independent, non-profit organization that was formed in 2003 to provide affordable rental housing solutions for working and retired individuals and families in Sanders County. Community Housing currently has ten rental units in Plains that house members of our community. Sanders County, along with much of Montana, is experiencing a housing shortage for renters as well as buyers. Affordable housing is the backbone of community, housing essential workers as...
I finally subscribed to a local paper again after quite a lapse due to the lack of engaging content and the slant of my former small town's paper. Upon receiving my first copy of the Ledger, the first article I read is "On being worried and enraged in 2024." What an introduction! I (one who chooses to be neither worried nor enraged in 2024) feel compelled to respond. Please note, it seems appropriate to use the "new word" a couple times. I hope you won't mind. 10. I could not care less. 9. That one did make me laugh. 8. I enjoyed the use of...
Due to medical reasons, I was unable to attend the Thompson Falls City Council meeting on 8 January, but I certainly heard about it, and for all the wrong reasons. Members of the council were elected by voters to do the business of the city on behalf of citizens. Whether you voted or not, and whether or not you voted for those elected, our council members are the people elected by majority vote. As a long time resident of Thompson Falls, I am watching the behavior of those attending city and county meetings deteriorate over time. There is a...
The job of the City Council is to conduct the City’s business. We are responsible for facilitating the democratic process. To do this, we need to all be civil by respecting the rules. Recent attempts to hold meetings in venues other than City Hall have made our job next to impossible as the Council could not even hear themselves discuss among themselves. Monday’s meeting was a prime example of the difficulty by the entire gathering having to share one microphone. Total chaos. For this reason, future meetings will be held at City Hall. Rus...
We’re all familiar with the Christmas carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” In recognition of the holiday season, I’d like to share some of the good work your state lawmakers accomplished in the legislative session at the beginning of the year, in a shortened format of the song. Without further ado, here are the Twelve Days of Christmas, Legislative Edition. The Legislature passed: TWELVE major infrastructure and investment bills. These included investments in roads and bridges, water and irrigation systems, wildfire fighting, the state prison,...
Skyrocketing property taxes. Astronomical energy rates. Homes that are unaffordable to most Montanans. And yet more big tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy, while the rest of us are left to foot the bill. When we look back on the last year, all these changes and more were brought to you by one party and its supermajority: Montana Republicans. The Good. Montana Democrats at every level are speaking out, standing strong, and demanding accountability from the Republican administration. First, Montana Democrats pulled off the impossible in the 2023...
I would like to thank the couple who paid for my groceries today at Harvest. It was a really nice surprise to me, as something like this has never happened to me. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity and wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year. And thank you. Linda Lanier, Thompson Falls...
Dear Editor, December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. It opportunely coincides with the holidays when folks are going to parties, reconnecting with old friends, and maybe indulging more than they do the rest of the year. Wherever you’re going this Christmas season, please never get behind the wheel impaired. While I’m encouraged that this year our alcohol-related traffic fatalities are down from the last two years, just one death on our highways because of drugs or alcohol is too many. This year, there have been 53 alc...
I'd like to address an occurrence from last month's city council meeting, in which a time for public comment was, in my perception, seized as an opportunity to intimidate and bully. I became a member of TF city council in January 2020, a year no election was held, as all three candidates were running unopposed. This was also a time when Thompson Falls began experiencing inconsistency in the mayor's position. I will be serving another four years, as this year, I was uncontested. The document that was referenced last month, was the Sanders County...
Median residential property taxes in Montana went up 21% this year. That’s $213 million more from working Montanans. Meanwhile North Western Energy property taxes went down 20%, that’s a decrease of $36 million. Collections on industrial property are down by about $52.9 million. An extra holiday bonus was given to Montana ratepayers from the Public Services Commission, the cost of electricity from North Western Energy is going up 28%. In appreciation for the big lump of coal in the holiday, send a thank you to Governor Gianforte and the Rep...
Editor: Community members missed an invaluable refresher class on Home Fire Safety last week at Whitepine Grange, presented by Scott Donovan who has 42 years' experience in fire service. Turnout was low, but those of us in attendance appreciated being reminded of things we'd heard maybe 20 years ago about how to keep from losing your house, property and lives to fire, especially this time of year. Plus, times have changed, along with home fire threats. We learned a lot of new things. Just as it's necessary to stay current on first aid/CPR...
Dear Editor, I believe the decision to have Jessica Gayton be the director of the Sanders County bookmobile was a wise decision. Jessica brings an expertise to the position that most likely is not to be found in anyone else in all of Sanders County. She is an asset to the taxpayers of our county. I visit the bookmobile monthly and Jessica is always happy to greet the patrons when they arrive. In fact, she demonstrates an upbeat and positive attitude, and people know they are welcome when they are greeted. Her knowledge of the books she has on...
‘Tis the holidays. Each holiday season most of us generously share our good fortune with others. This includes donating food for food banks and Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets. My family does this each year. However, I want to remind everyone – including myself – that food insecurity is an everyday issue for many people. Our food banks need our contributions throughout the year. It can be very easy to continue to donate to this worthy cause all year. Each time you grocery shop, consider buying a couple of extra items to donate to your local...
Point of correction/clarification. Related to a recent LTE. The public health nurse position is as a hired employee only. The "Medical Dr" is a nurse and is an appointed position made by the commissioners & the duties are as a consultant/advisor only. Neither position has the authority to vote nor assume the right to change policy or act outside of their job description or policies. That authority is only relegated to the Commissioners. An inference r/t the comment "medical cartel controlling our CDC, our HIH, and John Hopkins" doesn't mention...
Her'es a novel idea on the subject of abortion. Don't get pregnant. I'm 80 years old and grew up in an era void of legal abortions or birth control. If we got pregnant we had the little darlings. Then a miracle. The birth control pill was developed. It was control finally. It was there for anyone that wanted to decide when they wanted a baby, and no one had to face that dreaded decision of abortion because now it's legal. 50 years later instead of taking the birth control pill, they are using abortion as birth control. So sad. Educated women,...
Letter to Editor We in Thompson Falls lost such a special man this past week with the passing of Don Burrell. Don devoted his life to his family and helping others. He was an active member of local organizations, and there was never a Sanders County Fair that Don didn’t work so hard in heat, dust and often smoke. But the most inspiring qualities that define Don are his kindness, his willingness to do whatever was needed to help people. Don was the most giving and caring of men. He exemplified qualities that we should all hope to have. I’m sur...
What if Public Policy could be “Dead Wrong”? In Mindy Ferrell’s LTE of November 2 she proclaims putting aside personal opinion to serve the public good and only and always follow public policy. Sanders County residents should be grateful their Health Board acted responsibly by their decision to no longer offer COVID vaccines. Citing safety reasons and lack of proper testing is a positive outcome that informs me our County Health Board is watching out for each of us. In addition, the Public Health Officer recommends individuals who still desir...
Good morning Annie, Yesterday I attended the Commissioners meeting to hear Monica Trunell speak. I was disappointed I did not see the presence of the Ledger covering her as another viable candidate running for office, relevant to our area. I attended Ryan Zinke's presentation to speak to the commissioners. The Ledger was front and center reporting to Sanders County, his platform messages. In my world view, I have watched over the last 8 years, media in all forms, share culpability in selective messaging contributing to the division and civic di...
Public employees are tasked with carrying out public policy. That’s true for school teachers (which I was), for our county commissioners, and also for our county’s public health nurse. But, voiced at the Oct. 11 Board of Health meeting, County Nurse Debbie Lang announced that she made the personal decision not to offer Covid-19 vaccines to anyone through Sanders County’s Public Health Department. Ms. Lang has the personal freedom to form her own opinions about the safety of the Covid vaccine; she should not have the authority to personally deny...
We, Dave and Debbie Lyman, are responding to an article in the Ledger concerning the ‘private’ Sawtooth Mountain EMS (SMEMS) ambulance service now being dispatched in Heron. Many folks who live in Heron do not know the background of this controversy. We wish to explain what we saw take place at numerous public meetings. Proponents of a Quick Response Unit (QRU), under the auspices of the Heron Rural Fire District (HRFD) began pushing their agenda on social media, without speaking directly to the HRFD Board. The HRFD Board was eventually approac...
Dear Editor, I don’t know who needs to hear this – but soccer is big in Sanders County. And the kids that play – they’re really good! I help coach the senior girls soccer team at Clark Fork Soccer – a club soccer program in Plains, Thompson Falls, St. Regis, Superior, and Hot Springs. I’m tremendously lucky to have talented players, a committed team of coaches, good quality facilities, and supportive parents and families. It’s easy to be a great coach when so many are so committed to excellence. We SHOULD be proud of these kids – I know I am...
The Clark Fork Soccer Alliance is grateful for the Ledger's coverage of soccer in the county. Annie Wooden's words of support in the Sept. 28 Ledger were especially welcome. I have never fancied myself a soccer person but I have grown to respect the sport almost as much as my first love, basketball. The parallels between the two sports are intriguing. Since moving to Thompson Falls sixteen years ago, I have been involved with the local soccer program as a program coordinator, registrar, parent, fan, and most recently as the assistant coach of...
Children thrive in environments that are consistent and safe. It’s where nurturing and thriving coexist in a world that can be utterly chaotic. Saying was, “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.” However that’s seemingly changed. Instead of maintaining, our society is quick to toss what could be fine and find new. This has proven true recently with a few school districts in Sanders County. Our community had a safe, logical agreement for students attending school out-of-district. That agreement was recently revoked with the unfortunate events of a...
