Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
Sorted by date Results 276 - 300 of 569
I want to thank Mariah Kardelis for the well-written article on the sale of lands historically owned by Anaconda Company, Champion International, Weyerhaeuser and Southern Pine Plantations, to the Green Diamond Resource Company. (Sanders County Ledger, December 3, 2020) However, I must tell you that the headline is misleading and could lead to misconceptions concerning land management policies. Those companies are all large, corporate PRIVATE companies several of which have become real estate and land development agencies. Land they own can be...
Editor, To President Elect Biden. Congratulations to President Elect Biden. May the Republicans in the Senate and Congress treat you as well as the Democrats treated Trump while he was in office the last four years. Dennis Lyght, Thompson Falls...
School scheduling became pretty chaotic for my son and family this fall, so they decided to homeschool until things settle down. Since my two junior high grandsons are comfortable in their public schools, and my daughter-in-law is a former school board member, this wasn’t an easy choice. Their dilemma reminded me of one of the windmills I tilted at back when I was in the public school business myself. Not many people become intensely interested in the word “curriculum,” but I did, and still am, and maybe that explains why my wife thinks a sta...
Editor, In June, I made a trip to Oklahoma with two aunts and an uncle to visit my eldest uncle. While there, we all contracted COVID. We made it home wearing masks and we all then fell ill. My good neighbor, Francois Comunetti, fed my cows while I was away and at CFVH (7 days). I’d left many chores to do upon return home but was too sick to do them. My good friends, Mark Wedel and Tod Damaskos, tarped my hay, and Doug and Mindy Ferrell came the next day and strapped it all down. I’m so blessed and thankful to have such wonderful friends. I d...
Our country provides for our right, and calls upon our responsibility, for every citizen to cast their vote. This election process is the backbone of our Democratic Republic. In turn, every citizen expects that their vote will be properly counted and joined with other citizens to represent the will of the people. Too often overlooked are the unsung heroes in this process – those professionals at the Sanders County Clerk and Recorder’s Office and the cadre of trained election judges. This year saw record numbers of new registrations and bal...
PATIENCE! Let the election process go through its complete course. The media is jumping the gun by calling this election for Biden now. (11/7) There are severe accusation pending of vote count irregularities. Biden can win, but only with the opposition believing the process was fair or we are in for a bumpy road. Biden should want to let the truth come out or his presidency will be miserable if half the nation believes he stole power with fraud. He needs to be patient and win fair and square. There are many respected Americans that have severe...
I recently read Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Crusade in Europe (1948), his autobiographical version of WWII from about 1941 to 1945. I assume there are historians who might argue “that’s not what really happened,” since (like a Facebook profile) an autobiography can be anything you want it to be. Nevertheless, I’ll take Ike’s version. He was there for real. This book is pretty dry, but I do have enough understanding of WWII to make the geography and some of the names familiar, so I’m able to plug along despite the style. It is also very informat...
Dear Editor, It’s my understanding that the Chamber of Commerce is looking for a grand marshal for the Christmas on Main Street parade. As a Christian, it is a notion that the living Jesus Christ ought to be selected as the King we know that will be coming. This country has become what it is primarily because of the Puritans and subsequent Christian immigrants. Most of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were Christian pastors. Being that the December season has been celebrated for such a long time as the birthing time for the i...
I can understand the right to anonymity when it comes to a person's privacy, like health issues. However, I do not agree with an apparent refusal by the county to let the public know which areas within the county where the (increasing) COVID-19 cases have shown up. With a deadly pandemic rapidly spreading, we the public should be able to help reduce the spread by avoiding visiting these general areas. I have been told this secrecy is ordered by Helena. There is no shame in contracting COVID-19, only in hiding it, which might help it spread....
I seldom write a letter to the editor, but that must change. I am addressing this to the population at large and especially to Hannah Hernandez of Troy. For several weeks Ms. Hernandez put an ad in the Ledger regarding the Fielder’s. I hope it is not her habit of spreading lies; and that she just did not take the time to investigate the truth regarding the Fielders. Senator Jennifer Fielder has only run for office twice before this and only in the last 8 years. She is not, and never has been, a “career politician.” She has forfeited her priva...
Now, with ballots in hand it’s up to us to make some decisions. One choice I’d encourage you to make is Diane Magone for Senate District 7. As an energetic, community-minded citizen, Diane has shown her commitment to improving the economy — her family has deep ties to the timber industry and she currently serves on the Mineral County Resource Coalition. She is committed to improving our public education system, with direct experience in student counseling and knowledge of teaching issues, having family members working in education. She belie...
As former wildland firefighters, we learned what’s required to take on complex and difficult tasks. We learned that when the going gets tough, there’s no substitute for hard work, experience, and clear thinking. We know that excellent leaders consider all sides of a problem and work with their teams before making critical decisions. That’s why we’re supporting Monica Tranel for the Public Service Commission. As a lawyer who’s dealt with public utility issues for decades, Monica will get right down to work as soon as she’s elected. Because she...
Veterans and Spouses – You know this: Military training instills a distinct attitude for honor, service and reliability for the country. Chris Stough has this and more. As a commissioner, Chris will bring a new perspective to the Sanders County Commissioner job, a job that has had the same people in office for a combined total of 40 years. A vote for Chris Stough is a vote for dependability, professionalism, honesty and trust to do our county commissioner job very well. Nancy Mehaffie, Thompson Falls...
In the October 7 Ledger column by Mr. Blackstone there are several comments I would like to respond to. Kamala Harris made critical statements about Joe Biden during the Democratic debates earlier in the political season. Opposition research in each party makes careful notes of those types of remarks and uses them against the candidate of that party later in the campaign. Lindsey Graham, among other conservatives, is on record disparaging Donald Trump before Trump became the Republican candidate and has usually supported the president since...
Hello Western Montana... This is short and simple! I know Jennifer Fielder personally. She is an honest, hard worker who cares about all of the people of Montana and has our best interests at heart. If you want someone who will fight to keep our utility prices down and service quality up... Vote Jennifer Fielder for Public Service Commission. I encourage you to fact check her background and accomplishments at www.JenniferFielder.com. Jeff Reed, Trout Creek...
Last week I worked as an election judge to prepare ballots to be mailed. I was aware, typical of this community, poor consistency in the mandate for masks. On Thursday everyone was told to wear masks while in the building because there was someone that tested positive and there may be more. Some of our election judges opted out and left for personal reasons. I respected and appreciated that. I learned the number of cases of COVID-19 has been steadily increasing not just in the courthouse but in our county due to persons unwilling to comply and...
“Fear is the main source of superstition, and one of the main sources of cruelty. To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.”- Bertrand Russell Life involves risks; loss, death, sickness and hardships that affect our well-being. As free citizens we make decisions and weigh costs about risks daily, like the vehicle we drive, how we drive, lifestyles we live, outdoor activity, jobs we work. Often these activities have more risk than getting sick or dying from COVID-19. Despite the lower risk, the Plains School Board and administration dec...
Editor, Tony Cox is running for re-election as the County Commissioner for western Sanders County. As an incumbent, Tony has a record of accomplishments that are outstanding. He has worked diligently to improve the roads, which is always a main topic of interest to voters. The Clark Fork ‘Back’ Road has recently been paved as far as the Idaho border, making it a safer for logging trucks, school busses and cars. Tony was instrumental in bringing a modern bridge to Heron, that meets all the requirements of Highway 200 traffic. His persistent wor...
Veterans are noticing the failure of a couple local businesses and some government buildings to adhere to American flag protocol. I recognize the inconvenience of lowering and raising flags on weekends and holidays to honor our patriotic national holidays, first responders and deaths of national figures. But imagine the inconvenience of serving in World Wars I and II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, not to mention serving daily, often away from family, in other distant parts of the world. And consider the heartache of...
Editor: The Montana Public Service Commission is a five-member board responsible for the regulation of energy, telecommunications, water/sewer, transportation, and pipeline utilities. PSC District 4 spans Lincoln, Sanders, Mineral, Missoula, Powell, Granite, and Ravalli counties. The total square miles of these counties rivals that of New Jersey, Connecticut and Delaware combined. District 4’s population is larger than that of Salt Lake City, Utah. Therefore, the board member position requires someone who can think big and consider what is best...
The 2020 election is pivotal to our liberty, individual rights and security. This is the time to push back and not allow our country and communities to be fundamentally transformed by some who hate this great land and our freedoms. We owe it to our children and their children to give them a future with leaders who cherish our way of life, the right to life, the ability to speak freely, worship openly, bear arms, pay less taxes, and are committed to limit government intrusion. We need to elect members of our community who have courage under...
There’s a feisty feminist bumper-sticker that reads “You say ‘b…’ like it’s a bad thing,” and it seems to carry paradoxical attitudes similar to those conveyed by the word “liberal” in Montana politics. To Republicans, “liberal” must mean really bad things because it accompanies images of riots and dark money and socialism. I assume there are Democrats who disagree with those images and might claim liberal credentials, but you don’t hear them saying so during campaign season. I’m not sure why Democrats haven’t turned around and demonized...
To the Editor: When election year comes around, I like to evaluate the candidates as if I were hiring them to work for me. Their experience and education prerequisites may vary, depending upon the position they seek. This year we select a Commissioner for the Public Service Commission. This is one of the more technical selections I have to make. I’ve reviewed the qualifications of both candidates: Monica Tranel and Jennifer Fielder. The results brought Monica Tranel to the top because of her education with a Bachelors degree at Gonzaga U...
Thank you, Harold. A true community leader passed away recently. Harold Hudson left a lasting impression on me from the first time I met him a few years ago, after I became the regional information and education program manager for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Harold was very passionate about mentoring young men and women in firearm safety and hunter education. He was also dedicated beyond belief. In the 25 years he served as a volunteer instructor for the Montana Hunter Education Program, he led 57 hunter education classes that certified...
Thank you to the workers and everyone involved in taking down the tree at the corner of the east ramp in Thompson Falls. It opened up my view of the river and across immensely. Joan Freed, Thompson Falls...
