Serving you is the greatest privilege of my life. Over the past 40 years, I’ve had one goal: make life better for the people of this state. You don’t become longest serving senator in Montana without a lot of help from a lot of people. I am grateful for the opportunity you have given me. […]

I apologize to Commissioner Cal Scott. Before he was elected, I wrote letters in opposition of him to the media. At that time I did not believe he would make a good commissioner. However, after attending a commission meeting, my opinion of Scott has changed. My initial judgment of you was wrong. I was at […]

I am one of the site managers at Whitefish Community Center. We have had an excellent nutrition program for 35 years provided by Agency on Aging. Our center alone serves 10 to 20 seniors who eat at the center daily and enjoy fellowship with each other and with the volunteers who serve them. We also […]

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council would like to thank the representatives and senators who came forward to support the proposed Water Rights Compact entered into by the Tribes, the State of Montana and the United States of America. The compact was an elegant solution to the complex pattern of land-ownership and water use […]

As the coal debate heats up on the West Coast, our state is left hoping and waiting for the approval of five proposed coal export terminals in the Pacific Northwest. Our state economy is closely connected with the coal industry —keenly feeling the ups and downs of this industry. And, right now, the proposed Pacific […]

Development of the coal industry in eastern Montana will affect farming and tourism industries. You might wonder how? As both political parties push for more “dirty” coal development to create jobs and a better Montana economy, it will mean that there will be a increase in the number of trains that travel through the Flathead […]

Just 90 days into his role as Montana’s sole congressman, Representative Steve Daines has expressed support for legislation that will protect 400,000 acres of Forest Service lands on the western boundary of Glacier National Park. To say that this is a landmark occasion might be an understatement. Daines is to be commended for his actions, […]

The Texas district attorney and assistant district attorney are assassinated along with his wife. The media blurbs that “… it must be the white supremacist, KKK.” Where do they get this information? The left wing is toying with disaster, and no one recognizes its infantile behavior. The American people should be wary and see if […]

A case could be made that the false impression many Americans have in regards to “assault weapons” is the direct result of both the NRA misrepresenting them (beginning in the late ‘80’s through to the present) and not holding educators of U.S. history accountable for incomplete or revisionist history. When assault weapons were first widely […]

I am having a hard time understanding why any of the Flathead County commissioners are dragging their feet on agreeing to a new site for the Agency on Aging. The AOA provides many services to our elderly citizens. The need to have a safe and adequate building to do this job is important to all […]

According to Montana’s Board of Oil and Gas we now have over 11,000-plus active oil and gas wells in Montana, which include 750 new wells in the Bakken since 2000. It appears that the saying “If you have it, they will come” rings true with oil and gas. Unfortunately for Montana taxpayers, in 1999 our […]

As a longtime resident and homeowner on Rose Crossing, my neighbors and I are deeply concerned about the proposed manmade water ski lake and Rosewater subdivision planned for our area. Our concerns deal with the PUD overlay on the property that is zoned SAG-5; and the safety and suitability of this type of development with […]

I would like to offer a very different perspective on the budget issues in national parks stemming from my experiences working for the Park Service from 1979 through 1986. I realize that is some time ago but it appears that the same tactics are in place today. I worked in Yellowstone National Park on the […]

I cannot understand why some of the commissioners are procrastinating on getting the new building for the senior meals and programs going as soon as possible. I had my own business for over 50 years and the time to get prices and bids for a project was usually best when the economy was slow because […]

The “Red Barn” on Kelly Road is no longer adequate for Flathead County Area Agency on Aging. This building has housed offices, congregate meals, Meals on Wheels and volunteers on a temporary basis for over 10 years. The facts are before us. The multi-purpose of the AOA has grown. The population of seniors has grown. […]