fbpx

Uncommon Ground

Uncommon Ground

Keep Local Control

The last state Legislature, led with the help of elected representatives from Kalispell and Columbia Falls, demolished the ability of local communities to enact ordinances that required big development to include a small portion of homes deeded affordable to people who work in the area

By Mike Jopek
Uncommon Ground

People’s Constitution

Together we are stronger. Lean on others. Find the way forward. 

By Mike Jopek
Uncommon Ground

Extremely Unstable

Meteorologists have been forecasting what the Flathead weather might look like over the decades to follow and no one will like the predictions

By Mike Jopek
Uncommon Ground

Smells Like Rain

Between a pandemic that’s raging into its third year and perennially low wages, a working person is lucky to simply tread water in a turbulent sea of political nonsense

By Mike Jopek
Uncommon Ground

One Lifetime Ago

People around Montana work hard trying to make life better for family and community. We get by with what we have, do what we must, and put family, faith and community at the center.

By Mike Jopek
Uncommon Ground

Working It

This is Montana, a state where the working class remains active, often managing a seemingly endless supply of tourists patronizing our great hometowns

By Mike Jopek
Uncommon Ground

Hands in the Dirt

Gardens boost morale and express patriotism as worldwide supply shortages pound away at our country’s sandy shores

By Mike Jopek
Uncommon Ground

Foggy Growth

Our solutions lay in community, our belief in others. The loudest, most rabid political rhetoric may feel newsworthy but it won’t help us govern toward a better Montana.

By Mike Jopek
Uncommon Ground

Fix It Yourself

The past four legislative cycles the majority party simply refused to mitigate the cyclical effects of property tax reappraisals

By Mike Jopek
Uncommon Ground

Peak Summer

Like most locals, we enjoy the slower pace of shoulder-season as the planet rotates into springtime

By Mike Jopek
Uncommon Ground

Solidarity

Today’s war will force higher fuel prices, higher fertilizer and food prices, and add years more problems to a struggling supply chain

By Mike Jopek
Uncommon Ground

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

The politics of pure ideology grinds harshly on working families and struggling hometown people

By Mike Jopek
Uncommon Ground

Mutual Respect

It’s the people of the Flathead, in towns like Whitefish, Kalispell and Columbia Falls that make our valley great places to live

By Mike Jopek
Uncommon Ground

New York Son

Over the last half-century, Dad raised his boys to work with our hands and care for our family

By Mike Jopek
Uncommon Ground

Milking the Pandemic

This is today, life in modern Montana. I wouldn’t give it up for much anything.

By Mike Jopek