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Opinion

Opinion

LETTER: Support for Expanding Waterton

As a citizen of Canada and a lifelong resident of Fernie (the closest B.C. community to the proposed park) I would thank the international coalition of retired park superintendents who came together to voice their support for expanding Waterton Lakes National Park into the southeastern one-third of the British Columbian Flathead (Dec. 29 Beacon: “Former […]

By Ryland Nelson
Opinion

City Resolved to Work With Rural Fire Departments

The city of Kalispell has been working on rebuilding relationships with the rural volunteer fire departments since January 2010. The city’s new administration, inclusive of the city manager, fire chief, myself and the city council, felt it prudent to begin discussions with the West Valley Fire Department in particular, as West Valley’s tax base was […]

By Tammi Fisher
Business Is Personal

What’s In Your Soup?

Recently NY Times’ “You’re the Boss” blog had a piece about the 10 reasons small businesses fail. It’s a laundry list of pretty fundamental stuff, much of which we regularly talk about here: a business model whose math doesn’t work, owners who can’t get out of their own way out-of-control growth poor accounting insufficient cash […]

By Mark Riffey
Closing Range

Otter Stupidity

On Jan. 10, state District Judge Joe J. Hegel told environmentalists they could proceed with litigation against the preliminary leasing of the so-called Otter Creek tracts to Arch Coal. That the Greens are pursuing this case strikes me as otter stupidity. But first, some history and numbers: Otter Creek came into Montana’s trust portfolio in […]

By Dave Skinner
Opinion

LETTER: Repealing Renewable Energy Standard Will Cost Jobs

More jobs. The two words every Montanan was promised by candidates running for the state Legislature. Many of these now-elected officials plan on living up to their promises, but I have to question the sincerity of Rep. Derek Skees, R-Whitefish, now that he has introduced House Bill 244, which attempts to repeal our Renewable Energy […]

By Heidi Marcum
Like I Was Saying

Appealing to ‘Real’ Montanans

Former Constitution Party presidential candidate Chuck Baldwin moved to Montana a few months ago and has vowed to mold the state into what he thinks it should look like. The potential 2012 gubernatorial candidate also has an opinion about those who lived here before him. “There are a lot of people that were born in […]

By Kellyn Brown
Opinion

LETTER: Thirty Shots Vs. Eight

While an impressionable young soldier in Vietnam, my First Sergeant once told me, “God gave soldiers, through the genius of John Browning, the Model 19ll pistol and that it carried eight shots because that was enough.” However, he went on to say that the only purpose of a pistol was to defend yourself adequately while […]

By John Fuller
Opinion

Waiting for Superman II

In the beginning of this school year, the nation’s public schools suffered a significant amount of negative media attention that aligned with the release of the film “Waiting for Superman.” This film features the achievements of selected, privately managed charter schools. It depicts public education as a failed enterprise. I have had the opportunity to […]

By Darlene Schottle
Business Is Personal

After the Honeymoon

Recently, I stopped into a niche retail business for the very first time. They’ve done a nice job with it. Hasn’t been open long, so some of the obvious things I’d suggest to make the place a real customer magnet weren’t in place yet. I think they’ll get there over time. What worries me most […]

By Mark Riffey
Uncommon Ground

Nixon’s Environmental Legacy

In 1974 President Richard Nixon resigned, stating that “the interest of the nation must come before any personal considerations” and acknowledging that some of his private actions were wrong. Those were strong words, but the president’s policies still have meaning today. Nixon enacted Title IX, which says, “No person in the United States shall, on […]

By Mike Jopek
Opinion

Chicken Casseroles

I’m pleased to share with you two wonderful chicken casseroles that may be prepared one day or more in advance prior to serving. In fact, preparing them ahead of time can make the dishes taste even more delicious by allowing time for all of the elements to immerse together. I invite you to try these […]

By Chef Howard Karp
Opinion

LETTER: Crash Response Fees Unreasonable

At the recent Polson Rural Fire District board meeting, the board voted to impose the following fees for traffic accident response: 1.) If firefighters are called to a crash and spend less than an at the scene: $500 if special tools are not required or $750 if special tools are required to extricate a victim. […]

By Tom Eddy
Like I Was Saying

Health Care for Part-Timers

Montana Republicans swept into the state capitol for a variety of reasons, but perhaps none as big as the rising national debt and dissatisfaction with President Barack Obama’s health care plan. Both issues have dominated the debate in the first weeks of the Legislature, except now it’s the GOP on the defense. One of the […]

By Kellyn Brown
Opinion

LETTER: Centennial’s Missed Opportunity

Since 1964, I’ve owned and operated an RV park and campground just several miles from the western entrance to Glacier National Park. Over the years, I have heard from people who have spouses working in Glacier and some who came here to retire. They did not realize at the time that nothing stays as it […]

By Catherine M. Richter
Business Is Personal

No Matter What, Don’t Quit

As the Montana legislature kicks into gear, the air is heavy with rhetoric and of course… talk of new jobs. While I don’t agree with all that our various governments do, I can’t think of a single time that any of them have prevented me from getting a new customer, hiring someone or for that […]

By Mark Riffey