Page 32 - Flathead Beacon // 8.20.14

32 | AUGUST 20, 2014 OPINION
LETTERS
SKINNER’S LATEST CONSPIRACY ATTACKS PUBLIC ACCESS, MONTANA’S GREAT OUTDOORS
Dave Skinner has a sharp pen and an active imagination. The result is too many conspiracy theories to keep track of.
But his recent tirade against the Land & Water Conservation Fund (Aug. 13 Beacon: “Conserving Land and Water) needs to be deflated. Flathead Beacon readers deserve better information.
The Land & Water Conservation Fund is an important tool that helps Americans of all walks of life enjoy the Great Outdoors. It has brought enormous benefits for all of us in the Flathead.
To illustrate just how important this law is for locals, I would invite Dave to go fishing, hiking, hunting and bicycling right here at home, instead of sniffing out conspiracies on the Internet.
President Lyndon Johnson signed the Land & Water Conservation Fund 50 years ago. It simply requires that some of the royalties paid for off-shore oil drilling rights go back to the people who own that oil – the American people – by being invested in places for recreation.
In the decades since, the LWCF has paid for public recreation both in the form of playgrounds and parks in cities and access to woods and waters for those of us lucky to live in more rural places.
“What about all the state and local parks and amenities bought and built with LWCF funding?” Skinner asks. “What kind of shape are those assets in today?”
Well, Dave, let’s take a look.
I am a father of a young boy who likes his bicycle but, because of a physical disability, cannot safely ride on city streets.
However, he can ride until his legs wear out on the Rails-to-Trails that stretch from Somers to Kalispell to Kila. We also love Kalispell’s Lawrence Park, which appears to be busier by the day for everyone walking dogs and playing Frisbee golf.
LWCF helped pay for both of them.
My son also loves to fish. I wish Dave could have been there to see his smile when he caught his first trout, or the many other fish we have caught together at Shady Lane pond near Old Steel Bridge.
That pond was paid for in part by the Land & Water Conservation Fund.
In fact 70 percent of the fishing access sites in Montana were secured in part by the Land & Water Conservation Fund. This network is a priceless asset for both our family recreation and our tourism economy. Take note how popular Somers Bay Access Site is on any sunny day.
Good hunting is part of why I decided to settle in the Flathead 25 years ago. Over those years, I’ve seen dozens of great deer
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and elk spots sold and fenced off behind no-trespassing signs as timberlands were converted to private homes and trophy estates.
Some of the best hunting in northwestern Montana is the Swan Valley. Elk and deer hunters put about 25,000 hunter-days each fall in the Swan. Plum Creek Timber Co. sold its holdings there and that land could have easily been locked up behind trophy homes, a la Iron Horse.
But thanks in part to the Land & Water Fund that land will remain open for hunting, fishing, berry picking and firewood cutting in perpetuity. (And bonus! It stays in the timber supply too.)
Anyone who cares about the future health and wellbeing of our kids and grandkids should be delighted that America has the LWCF.
Big Green Conspiracy? No, Dave. LWCF is really about good people working together to keep America and Montana a great place to live and raise a family.
Get outside and look. It will do you good.
Ben Long Kalispell
ALL IN THIS TOGETHER
Recently, the state Administration & Veterans’ Affairs interim committee (SAVA) had a panel discussion about veteran needs across the state. Panel members included reps from Sen. Jon Tester’s office, three combat veterans, VA officials and ombudsmen working through the Department of Health & Human Services (DPHHS).
There are many resources for veterans in Montana but our focus was on the underserved veteran who often falls through the cracks and receives no assistance. We are obligated as Montanans to help our veterans who have given so much to our state and country.
I believe that the best links to veterans needing services are the people who love them. Family and friends often notice subtle changes in behavior or when their loved one is struggling with healthcare, job placement or housing. Often these caring people recognize the needs before the veteran will admit it to themselves.
The recent spotlight on negatives in VA healthcare across the country has prompted quick action on the national level. Tester has been on the forefront of the legislation since he sits on the committee with oversight of the VA. His assistant, Bruce Knutson from Missoula, said it best, “When it comes to veterans there are no D’s or R’s.” I totally agree!
Committee discussion centered on how best to serve the veteran who has not reached out to local resources. Stand downs across the state, veteran-related organizations based in each area and community articles on awareness begin the discussion. There is always more we can do.
Future discussions will focus on outreach via nonprofits, more service providers who get out of their offices and have “boots on the ground” and possible designation of a state ombudsman who is a veteran and knows the needs from their perspective.
There will be a two year federal pilot program in our state named ARCH – Access to Reach Closer to Home. We are hoping that these dollars will do as they are intended: help veterans where they are and allow them access to services. I believe it will be a cooperative effort by the state and federal government in providing much needed services to underserved veterans.
We have one of the highest percentages of veteran populations in the U.S., though Montana VA only serves 45 percent of them right now. Do you know a veteran who could benefit from services? Please contact the nearest veteran’s facility for assistance since they look forward to helping. We are all in this together.
Sen. Dee Brown, Hungry Horse Chair, SAVA Interim Committee
ARE WE SURPRISED BY SCOTT’S ENDORSEMENT?
And – are we surprised? Some of us, who did our research, knew all along Cal Scott was not a Republican. When we “dared” question his participation at “Occupy Wall Street” protests, we were vehemently attacked. Cal Scott’s handlers even tried to remove the undersigned from her position as “President of the Flathead County Republican Women.” I received countless e-mails asking me how I “dare” to pose this question. After all, we, as Republicans, should all stick together and support each other. Well, absolutely, we as Republicans should all stick together and support Phil Mitchell for our next county commissioner.
Caroline Solomon Bigfork
CORRECTION
The incorrect photo was attached to the Aug. 13 Beacon Landmarks column on the Conrad/Tobie House. The correct photo of the home on 428 Sixth Ave. E. in Kalispell can be seen here.
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CORRECTIONS
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