Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 588
I am not a person to make many complaints or share negative actions. However, after going to the local source to find answers I am at a loss as to how to proceed. I recently arrived home after a two-week absence from my home of many years in Sanders County. Like many county residents I have experienced the ongoing traffic snags on Highway 200 this past summer, to gain high speed internet and never complained. I am a proponent of the project and know the importance of having the ability to communicate with our families, pursue educational...
Absentee ballots will be received this week. I’m asking you to consider voting “yes” for CI-126. This Constitutional Initiative will change Montana to open primary elections putting all candidates on one primary ballot. We can then vote for the person, and not be limited to the now monopolized primary ballot of party allegiance. Up to top 4 candidates in 10 different Montana races would advance to the general election regardless of party affiliation. This will encourage moderate voices and choices, instead of empowering extremists or party...
CI-128 cleverly, deceptively, provides for abortion through the ninth month for any reason whatsoever. Here’s how: Part (2) of Constitutional Initiative 128 states after the unborn child would likely survive outside the womb, “. . . in no circumstance shall the government deny or burden access to an abortion that, in the good faith judgment of a treating health care professional, is medically indicated to protect the life or health of the pregnant patient.” Understand that the mother’s health includes mental health, and mental health can be...
We are retired Montanans living in all seven counties within District 4 of the Public Service Commission. Most of us are on fixed incomes. Some of us are Republicans and some are Democrats. But all of us are voting for Elena Evans, an Independent candidate for the PSC. We’re voting for Elena because she’s a nonpartisan candidate who is fighting for affordable power and because her opponent, Jennifer Fielder, has cost ratepayers millions. Fielder was the deciding vote against a $9.1 million dollar rebate for NorthWestern Energy customers, and...
Dear Editor, With much interest I read Carl Brooker's Letter to the Editor published in THE SANDERS COUNTY LEDGER on October 3. I would like to offer my thanks and appreciation to Ms. Brooker for taking the time and energy to inform the citizens of this county and state concerning the past behavior of Jennifer Fielder. It certainly seems serious consideration must be exercised by those of us who will vote for the next District 4 Public Service Commissioner. I own a few shares of stock, not many but a few, in NorthWestern Energy. Naturally I wan...
I will be voting for Jennifer Fielder again, she is doing a great job on the Public Service Commission. Under the policies of the current administration, America is trapped with an actual inflation rate of a little over 27%. Consumers are all aware of how this added cost has a negative impacted every facet of our life and eats up our real income. Unfortunately utilities are also struggling with the high 27% inflation rate, and increased property taxes, affecting building service lines, servicing existing lines, and delivering power to us....
Anybody who read Carol Brooker’s letter in the 3 October Ledger who goes on to vote for Jennifer Fielder is voting solely for the political party and against their own best interests. Please be an informed voter and read the many facts included in Carol’s letter, detailing how Jennifer Fielder has performed her duties as an elected official over a number of years. Unless you are unconcerned about utility rates that continue to rise in the face of enormous profits for utility companies, vote for the change Elena Evans will bring to the pos...
Anybody who read Carol Brooker’s letter in the 3 October Ledger who goes on to vote for Jennifer Fielder is voting solely for the political party and against their own best interests. Please be an informed voter and read the many facts included in Carol’s letter, detailing how Jennifer Fielder has performed her duties as an elected official over a number of years. Unless you are unconcerned about utility rates that continue to rise in the face of enormous profits for utility companies, vote for the change Elena Evans will bring to the pos...
Truly one of the richest aspects of living in a small community like Thompson Falls is reaping the benefits of the many “community-minded” people who chose to call this place home. This community mindedness manifests itself in many ways/occasions. Beautification Days is only one of many. It has been our fortune to witness this on a much “closer to home” scale. Over the course of the last five months, there have been many improvements made to our senior citizens’ center. Among these are: the acquisition of 20 padded chairs with arms, a major p...
I served on the non-partisan Sanders County Commission for 27 years, and I’m proud to endorse Elena Evans, an Independent candidate for District 4 of the Public Service Commission, which includes Sanders and six other counties in Western Montana. I know Elena. She’s a hard worker, a true independent, and laser-focused on lowering our utility bills. I also know her opponent, Jennifer Fielder. You’ve probably heard that Jennifer Fielder voted to raise your utility rates by 28%, which is true. I feel obligated to share additional serious concerns...
I submitted an open letter request for written responses to the Hot Springs Board of Trustees and Superintendent on September 10, 2024. My request addressed issues concerning the budget, school audits, spending controls and other items. I tried to get it added to the agenda for the September 12, 2024, board meeting but was told that it was within 48 hours of the meeting. I was told by Superintendent Chuinard and one board member to submit it for the correspondence section of the upcoming board meeting. The board meeting was held and lo and...
Dear Editor, I received a political ad in the mail several weeks ago from the Montana Democratic Party announcing that Tim Sheehy has plans that "...would shutter 49 rural hospitals in Montana". That caught my attention because I think that would be exceedingly drastic. Plus I felt that claim was simply over the top. I did a little checking online and I ended up on the website causeiq.com. That website states there are 56 hospitals in Montana. Simple math of 56 minus 49 is seven. Does that mean that Sheehy will have Montanans with only seven...
A lot of concerns have come into me and Lee Smith with the county garage concerning trucks. There’s been numerous heavy loads of logs, stone, equipment like excavators still using the bridge even with restrictions. Lee has reached out to the state and DOT and Lee said nobody seems to care. So I figured I would try to get it out to the public. Maybe DOT will come do their job and weigh trucks or stop them. Jim Byler, Noxon...
Dear Editor, Thank you for your consideration in reading and printing this letter. I am writing as I am appalled at the level to which campaigns are preying on the emotion of residents of the state of Montana. I am especially appalled at the fear mongering being lobbied at citizens by the Tester campaign ad which you ran in your recent edition. While I realize that the majority of the State claims Christian background, and the Constitution of this Country and State are based on Judeo Christian philosophy, I also realize not all follow this...
As health care providers, hospital leaders, nurses, and support staff who serve or have served rural Montana communities, we condemn the recent television ads and full-page advertisements by Jon Tester's campaign and the absolute lies being told to our fellow neighbors. The ads, some of which use the names and photos of local hospitals, falsely accuse Tim Sheehy of threatening rural hospitals, misleading the patients we serve. Some of us have gotten to know Tim through his and his wife’s philanthropy supporting Montana health care, or have h...
We live in an amazing Country, an amazing State and an amazing community. We are so inundated with the political news that sometimes the truest of American values get lost in the white noise. While my political opinion may differ from others, the bottom line is that I care about our country and all of her people. On September 11th, the 23rd anniversary of the brutal assault on our country and the loss of so many treasured lives; we came together to express the honor due to every last soul lost that day. Thank you to everyone who came together t...
To Whom It May Concern, People can have differences of opinion about anything. It is our right and privilege. What people do not have the right to do is trespass on private property to deface a sign which represents a choice or viewpoint they do not agree with. Last week, I put up signs in Heron which were on private land with permission from the owners. Within a few days, vandals spray painted graffiti on the signs and ruined them. This is illegal on a couple of levels, from trespassing to destruction of private property. If these sick acts...
After attending the Master Gardeners class last spring, 2024, put on by Wendy Carr, with the local MSU. Ext office, our class members need to put in twenty hours of community service, to receive our certifications. I finally had an opportunity to start that with Beth Riffle, at Waterway, CSA. Starting at 7 a.m. to beat the heat, Beth was able to plant three rows to my one row of 75 bell peppers, exhibiting her experience as a gardener. She’s in her sixth season on the same property she grew up on, with the now Waterway, CSA, Community S...
Just in case you're wondering about those who compete for the office of and for the people's expectations, we must adhere to the truth using only words that are proven to be documented; in fact, anything less is deception — of the people, by the people, for the people does not justifiably adhere to deception — so don't waste people's time, admiration, and hope. John Middlemiss, Trout Creek...
As most people reading this will know, the levy to supply added funding to Plains Public Schools did not pass. This very directly affects the ability of the school district to continue to provide quality enrichment educational opportunities to our children. In light of this, the Plains Parent and Teachers Association (PTA) wants to invite the greater community to assist with meeting some of the needs of our students attending our public schools. Budget shortfalls are impacting the ability to hire educational support staff, meet cost of living...
Dear Editor. While reading through last week’s edition of your excellent newspaper I noticed the USFS Campground checks listed in the Sheriff's Log. From the staff at the USFS Plains – Thompson Falls Ranger District I want to thank the Sanders County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff and staff, for conducting the campground checks. Thank you very much. This level of support from the Sanders County Sheriff’s Office and community is very valuable and directly assists in the provision of a safe recreational environment for Sanders County residen...
Apologies to F. Scott Fitzgerald: “The very rich are just different from you and me.” We worry about the next mortgage payment; they paid cash for their home(s). Without insurance, medical care is only “an option” for us. For the wealthy, when insurance won’t cover it, there’s always cash. We plan for our retirement, denying short-term pleasures for long-term security. Retirement? The wealthy are born “retired”. Our wallets are full of basic credit cards with too high-interest balances; their cards are “titanium” levels without balances. O...
There is a saying… “You are entitled to your own opinions, but not your own facts.” As Thompson Falls mayor, I do have actual facts about Wild Goose Landing contrary to some comments I’ve been made aware of on Sanders County 411. Northwest Energy has an easement signed December 2023 by Northwest Energy and the City. Thompsons Falls Public Works had maintained Wild Goose until this year. There are copies of the easement and all correspondence between the City and Northwest Energy for anyone who would care to view it. Happy to clarify any que...
I spoke with Sanders County Sheriff Fielders yesterday (July 18, 2024). The conversation concerned dispatching the ‘tax-supported’ Community Ambulance Service to emergency 911 calls within the Heron Rural Fire District boundaries. This has been a divisive issue in the Heron community for a couple of years. Last year, the sheriff halted dispatching the Community Ambulance in favor of a ‘privately owned’ ambulance in Heron, much to the dismay and anger of many Heron citizens. Sheriff Fielders told me that there were a few more ‘hoops to jump t...
The state of Montana has been “renting” our waters of the Clark Fork river from Thompson Falls to the Idaho border to Avista energy. With the two dams that they built, the Noxon rapids and Cabinet Gorge, placed 18 miles from each other. I’m not sure if somehow Montana has lessened it’s water protections or if the Avista cooperation has changed somethings with the way the operate but our river is rapidly turning into a sludge pond. There are dead fish all over the shore. The fear of being contaminated with toxic chemicals is very prevalent. Stag...
