Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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I, along with my wife, have been paying into a retirement fund the government calls Social Security, when they’re not calling it their personal piggy bank, for almost 100 years. According to Greg Gianforte’s own pronouncements covered by all the newspapers, he doesn’t think we should retire. He even went as far as to say Noah at age 600 wasn’t collecting any benefits. Well I realize the government has to have a way to pay for those tax cuts that netted Buffett $29 billion, he said he neither wanted or needed; so I think we should all pool ou...
Dear Editor, I am extremely disheartened by the content of Mr. Blackstone’s “Street Smart” opinion article from the September 27 issue. It appears that his focus on the “circus” of confirming Brett Kavanaugh deters from the true issue of consideration of his character and integrity. If the author was disturbed by the allegations at all then I imagine he would expect a course of action taken to ensure that the open seat in the Supreme Court remain honorable. And to speak to Mr. Blackstone’s questioning of why it took 36 years for Ms. Ford to tel...
I for one am happy to see some kind of balance in the Ledger Opinion pieces with the addition of the column “Street Smart” by Mr. Blaine Blackstone. It’s gratifying to see that someone has the courage to point out that Governor Bullock’s support of Second Amendment rights was disingenuous because he now supports banning assault weapons. Of course “assault weapons” to the anti-Second Amendment crowd means any semi-automatic rifle or any weapon that holds more than ten rounds. They call these “weapons of war.” The only addition to his article...
Editor, I would like to thank you for the printing of the very intellectual and informative articles, written for years, by Jim Elliott. For example, 20 September 2018, Jim always writes with so much wisdom and research and it is so interesting that we have a person that will contribute his thoughts, experiences and such to the public via a public news outlet. I want to thank your paper for this great info. As I am a “non-political,” I say he would be a great future governor candidate even though he is a Montana rancher. Al McGuigan Tho...
When I picked my boys up from Noxon School on Tuesday, September 18, they each handed me a pocket version of the Constitution. Attached to the cover was a sticker which read, “Free Copy Courtesy of Senator Jennifer Fielder” and her address and website. I asked where they came from and they told me that State Senator Fielder came and talked to the school. I pondered this on my drive home. That evening I made some calls to determine what had happened and if this event was political/campaigning, or an educational event. The individuals I tal...
Montana’s State Legislature enacted CI-64 26 years ago. The effect of “Term Limits” was to prohibit public officials from seeking re-election if they have already held the office for a defined number of years. Term limits offer both negative and positive arguments. A single drawback is that term limits can possibly hinder positive policies and favorable influence accrued through years and years of public office. However, term limits become another method to reject ineffective policies or poor outcomes. Term limits allow public officials to be m...
Sometimes looking back can help us understand how we should move forward, but when it comes to predicting craziness, history’s lessons aren’t helpful at all. For instance: opposing views of both the role and the structure of public education meant it was predictable even a hundred years ago that public education politics would be confrontational. The liberal or progressive side leaned toward the individual child’s needs, while the traditional or conservative side argued in terms of subject matter and institutional structure – society...
Let’s get some facts straight about Hecla Mining Co. and its corporate track record. When Hecla purchased Revett Mining in June 2015 as part of its acquisition of the proposed Rock Creek Mine, the company also took ownership of the Troy Mine, which had been mothballed because of underground rock falls and dipping copper prices. Hecla immediately closed the mine and began preparing to reclaim the site, as required by Montana mining law. Come spring of 2017, Hecla started the reclamation work, which includes capping and revegetating the t...
The Ledger’s new columnist, Mr. Blaine Blackstone, described himself as conservative but the kind of guy that could discuss issues and respectfully listen to both sides, acknowledging viewpoints change over time with knowledge and experiences. It was disappointing to read Mr. Blackstone’s accusation that Governor Bullock’s support of Second Amendment rights was disingenuous because he now supports banning assault weapons. These are Separate issues! The Governor’s views are shared by over 80% of our population. Even the Sanders County Ledger...
It has come to my attention that since I have spoken out against corporate greed in the past, some folks think I may despise all corporations. Not so my friends. Let me misquote Forrest Gump on that one. “Evil is as evil does.” To be incorporated can be a great tool for a business. However, corporations are not persons and do not deserve rights as persons under the 14th Amendment. Rob Kjos, Heron...
One item that Mr. Elliott forgot to mention in last week’s Montana Viewpoint article on forced union dues is that the unions always make huge monetary contributions to the Democrat Party. Since he was the chairman of the Montana Democrat Party for four years this fact could have been easily overlooked. In states without “right to work laws” a person is forced to join a union and have part of his dues go to the Democrat Party whether he likes it or not. They may say that your dues go into the left pocket while the political contributions come...
Five years ago, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 NHL, caused by exposure from Agent Orange Spray while in SEA during Vietnam War. I appealed to the VA for help, but despite my desperate situation they said they set up an appointment three weeks from then to see if I financially qualified. My doctor said I needed treatment then, not when the VA got around to it. For the moment the treatment is successful but after fighting the VA for four years while they slow walked me hoping I’d die, I went to Sen. Jon Tester as he was always bragging about h...
Medicaid is so much more than just another insurance provider—my story is proof of that. When an abusive relationship set myself and my children back, I needed help to get back on my feet. With the help of Medicaid, I was able to bounce back and give my children the life they deserve. Montana’s decision to expand Medicaid included the creation of the Help-Link program to provide free workforce training programs to many Montanans covered under Medicaid. Thankfully, I was one of them. I was not looking for a handout, simply some assistance in get...
This is a congratulatory letter for Tyler Riffle, Karen Dykstra’s grandson. Karen, for years, has been the Floriculture Superintendent at the fair. And she used her grandson whenever she needed assistance. Over the years, the fair had used a program called ShoWorks for all open class entries. And to say it was user friendly would be untruthful. Well, Tyler got intrigued about the open class entry program and wrote the program the fair is currently using. What a God send the new program is. There is almost zero human action required; T...
Two weeks ago, during the fire that started along Highway 200 just west of Weeksville, I was told to prepare to evacuate. At the time I must have been in a mild state of shock as I really didn’t comprehend what the firefighter was talking about. As it turned out, all the regimented training that the various agencies involved had subjected their firefighters to paid off. While one landowner lost a mobile home and various equipment and two neighbors lost quite a few trees around their property, their homes were protected. The helicopter crews w...
I respect the importance Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has in ensuring protection of Montana’s environment. We acknowledge Director Livers’ support for Hecla when he accurately stated, “DEQ recognizes that Hecla’s track record of mine operations and reclamation has earned the company a favorable reputation for commitments to safety and to minimizing environmental impacts from mining.” We also support the intent of the law to hold operators accountable for compliance. However, the director’s actions and public statements make it cle...
Dear Editor, Sanders and Lincoln counties have parallel paths to common goals in economic and community development. This includes strengthening small businesses, beautifying our communities, increasing environmental health and social welfare, and generally enhancing our quality of life. At the heart of these strategies is the significance of our public lands. Our counties’ separate governing bodies experience systemic challenges that mirror one another. The communities within Sanders and Lincoln County share the economic distress seen in w...
Editor: I-186 will appear on the November ballot. If it passes, Montana DEQ will be required to deny a permit to any proposed hard rock mine, if the reclamation plan requires perpetual water treatment. The purpose of I-186 is misleading because: Under today’s standards, Montana’s mining industry already must comply with the State Water Quality Act, Federal Clean Water Act, and multiple other provisions to ensure that any water discharged from a mine is clean. The language for I-186 says “The terms ….within I-186 are not fully defined and would...
Editor, I would like to commend Debb McNary, and all the people of Trout Creek, for the 2018 Huckleberry Festival, as I feel from all I saw and heard from all whom attended, nothing but praise for the extremely clean grounds and operation from beginning to end was a very welcome and enjoyed by all attending – many comments were heard from guests about the great family atmosphere presented. Many praises for the extremely clean grounds as a whole, no clutter, beer cans, cigarette smoke or such present. I noticed the largest crowd ever of e...
Several friends and I enjoyed a lovely and very fun evening at Big Eddy’s Saturday night, visiting and enjoying the band, Nobody Famous. During the evening, the owner of Big Eddy’s was subjected to threatening and ugly phone calls over music that ended at 10 p.m. We all benefit when local businesses are successful and appealing, particularly on Main Street. I look forward to many fun evenings at Big Eddy’s and I sincerely hope the people harassing their owner and staff refrain from being so self-centered and juvenile. Ruth Cheney, Thomp...
Editor, As a patron of Big Eddy’s, I think what happened Saturday night was unjust and simply not true. The owners Katrina and Mark are valued residents of Thompson Falls. They not only have built and improved the town greatly but created jobs and a destination for tourists, who might not have stopped at all, if not for the very inviting Big Eddy’s! The town should be grateful to these two young folks. Live music, outdoor events, the community having the chance not only to enjoy the last days of summer but to mingle and get to know their nei...
Saturday the 11th of August early in the evening, my wife and I saw smoke rising just to the west and behind our house. I dialed 911 reported a fire and location. Just a few seconds later a neighbor called saying they could see smoke. I rushed out the door and two neighbors were coming in my driveway. I went out located the flames and started back to the house, fire fighters , fire trucks were already coming across my field. Within just a few minutes, not over 15, they were on the fire. Three helicopters were there shortly after the ground...
Dear Editor, I’m a huge NFL fan! I love the games but the actions of the players during the National Anthem is infuriating. Beyond that, the NFL being afraid to take action is ridiculous. In my opinion, Roger Goodell is a coward! I’ve considered boycotting the NFL and refusing to watch the games. Unfortunately, I’d be the one missing out because I enjoy the sport so much. Instead, I’m embracing an idea that will work to show my anger/frustration over these players kneeling or raising a fist during the Anthem and still be able to watch the gam...
When critics of the Mining Bad Actors Law attacks Montana’s enforcement of a state law that protects taxpayers from shouldering the clean-up bill for mining companies, it’s clearly time to impose an old-fashioned smell test. In weaving together their argument, they got many of their facts wrong. I live in the community where Baker’s company proposes to mine. And as the retired owner of a sawmill and wood products company I know the challenges of creating jobs and making a livelihood in rural Montana. I also understand the obligations busin...
Thank you to the Thompson Falls community and reservoir users. Just wanted to take a moment and thank everyone for their patience and understanding on the recent dam repairs that kept the water levels down most of the summer. With repairs completed, the reservoir was filled August 9. We’ll do our best to keep that a rare event. Again, I apologize for any inconvenience and wish everyone a great rest of the summer. Noel Jacobson, Dam foreman, NorthWestern Energy...
