Despite tough economic times of late, Montanans should take heart in an emerging success story: our track record of producing successful wind energy projects. The wind farm in Judith Gap has provided a much-needed economic boost to this rural area in our state, as well as five other large and small wind-harvesting projects active around […]

We wanted to write to clarify the current discussion about the proposal currently before the voters for the Whitefish High School, and specifically discuss the $7 million approach that has become part of the discourse. We did not present the $7 million alternative to the community’s planning group. It arose in response to a question […]

It’s been about 30 years since Montana has had any new federally designated wilderness. In my view that is not necessarily bad. Wilderness has its place, but so do forest management activities and the production of wood products. From my experience, though, if there is any place in our state that seems appropriate for wilderness […]

Despite the city’s official website that states Whitefish is a “rapidly growing retirement/resort community,” the town remains “special” largely as a result that families, small businesses and dogs are welcome. Unlike the resort destinations of Vail or Jackson Hole, Whitefish is a town where local people can still work, play and live. As it has […]

Nationally and locally collective bargaining is being attacked. For several years organized labor groups have been quietly dismantled, internally and externally. Recently state legislators have waged war on organized labor across this nation. The American Dream is becoming out of reach when organized labor and collective bargaining can no longer have a voice for the […]

A woman called me asking for a man I had never heard of. She said she was from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and was calling to get a count of the man’s hunt (i.e., how many had he killed). Since I had her on the line I asked her to explain and she told […]

The controversy over the recent killing of Anwar al-Awlaki by drone strike illustrates a serious problem for our country in its dealings with the rest of the world. Our goody-two-shoes approach to conflicts is being used to our great disadvantage by our enemies. Civil libertarians and human-rights activists would have us conduct due process before […]

Recently Rep. Jerry O’Neil described his “quandary,” with the tax reform pledge. In this letter, he voiced his opposition to tax incentives for renewable energy. Interestingly enough, I read last week that these tax incentives led to the historic power purchase agreement between Flathead Electric and Stoltze Lumber, adding power from biomass technology into the […]

I have been following the issue of building a new high school in Whitefish. I, along with my wife, have been part-time residents of Whitefish for almost 20 years. Our permanent residence is in Claremont, Calif. We were pleased to see the support of a new high school by the city council. Although we can’t […]

I have a question. Sen. Jon Tester is constantly running around the state, stepping in front of cameras to give well deserved medals to our veterans, but where was he on the Big Mountain Jesus statue? The Knights of Columbus needed him to support their efforts to fight the Wisconsin atheists. Why didn’t Tester step […]

I am writing today to comment about the Whitefish Jesus Statue, sitting on land owned by all Americans. I find it curious that Christians, and in this case Catholics in particular, want to have things both ways. First they want to violate the First Amendment to the Constitution by keeping the Jesus statue on federal […]

In 2011 the Legislature passed SB 426, sponsored by Bozeman Sen. Joe Balyeat. This referendum now goes to the citizens for a vote in the general election next November. That is unless the unions have their way. Legislative Referendum 123 (SB426) would create the Treasure State Taxpayer Dividend Program allowing taxpayers a refund of some […]

I agree with those who say good teachers, not physical facilities, are the most important factor in a quality education. But when kids in some Whitefish High School classrooms are sitting with their coats on, wastewater gurgles up in floor pipes, and rain drips through the roof, that’s ridiculous. Our kids will learn better in […]

As an American, I believe in America. If you pay attention to the reality of what is happening on a worldwide scale, you will see that many of our American young people are being pushed out by foreign entities. As a nation we have failed to see the importance of staying on the cutting edge […]

Contemplating running again for the Montana House of Representatives, I wrote a letter to Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform. In this letter I wrote, in part: “I am proud to have signed the Americans for Tax Reform’s pledge several times in the past. But presently I am in a quandary and not […]