Flathead’s unemployment rate drops for the first time in eight months. Meanwhile, the Obama administration is under fire as oil continues to leak into the Gulf of Mexico. HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT – The Flathead County jobless rate dropped in April, from 13.8 percent to 12.2 percent, the first positive movement in eight months. CHARLES DJOU – […]

First, I have lived in Germany and have no animosity against the German people. Those like Karl Gharst need to be confronted. Ignoring the problem solves nothing. That is simply the “it can’t happen here” mindset that was prevalent in World War II Germany and around the world. Perhaps Gharst needs to be informed that […]

For those running for elected office, experience matters. Each candidate’s pitch to voters includes a lengthy biography of accomplishments, awards and pertinent endorsements from those already working in the public sector. The pedigrees are familiar and, often, so are the faces. It can be maddeningly cyclical. When glancing at this year’s local election roster, you […]

I have been disturbed about the current events unfolding around Sheriff Mike Meehan. There are “subtle” statements being expressed that he lacks leadership and communication skills needed to serve another term (May 5 Beacon: Morale at Center of Sheriff’s Race). I would like to offer a short argument against this type of reasoning. The sheriff’s […]

During the year-long celebration of Glacier National Park’s centennial, it might serve us well to recall the tortured legislative beginnings of that soaring, sparkling place. Glacier suffered many birth pangs during that tortured legislative route toward designation as a national park. Twenty-eight years earlier its cousin to the south, Yellowstone, had received recognition and status […]

Recently, Billings found that a segment of their population decided that firebombing is the preferred method of running businesses out of town. Perhaps too impatient to wait for paranoia-driven regulations or zoning laws written so narrowly that a Chicago purchasing department RFP writer could have written them, someone decided to blow the place up. Right […]

FVCC graduated its largest class ever. Meanwhile, new Wall Street regulations are getting tougher and stricter. HIGH FVCC – The community college graduated its largest class last weekend, issuing 340 students a total of 358 degrees and certificates CABINET MINE – This mine could be back on track after a district judge’s opinion that is […]

Your recent story by Dan Testa (April 21 Beacon: “With New EPA Lead Requirement, Contractors Scramble to Get Certified”) mentioned the dangers of lead paint and the delay tactics being proposed by Rep. Denny Rehberg regarding the EPA rule requiring the use of lead-safe practices. Under the rule that was to begin last month, contractors […]

Whenever a tax is involved the issue is sure to be criticized, often with merit. But there is little to dislike about the recently created Kalispell Tourism Business Improvement District, which allows participating hotels to charge guests a $1.25 fee per night and use that money to promote tourism in the city. The room for […]

After attending a public forum on gill netting of lake trout in Flathead Lake, I have decided that the practice will pose a huge threat to the tourism economy for the Flathead. Just as everyone knows that Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks destroyed the salmon fisheries; likewise they will know that the Confederated Salish & […]

The roller coaster ride of the national and Montana economy continues at a frantic pace. The good news-bad news scenarios are in the headlines on a daily basis and it is really difficult to sort out the wheat from the chaff. As I’m certain all are aware, the drop in the housing market nationwide is […]

I’m wondering if you’ve become an expert at mining. It’s a critical skill if you’re concerned about keeping your business pump primed with new and returning customers – especially returning ones. When I say mining, I mean mining your customer/order database. Yellow pads, QuickBooks and shoeboxes Regardless of what tool you use to keep track […]

I’ve already made up my mind for the primary election, so I decided to peek at what ballot issues we might be deciding in November. I’ve never favored direct-vote ballot issues as a regular means of doing “the people’s business.” I prefer to elect someone (with a clue) to do all that on my behalf. […]

Elena Kagan is nominated for the U.S. Supreme Court. Meanwhile, BP has been unsuccessful in its attempts to stanch an oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico. HIGH ELENA KAGAN – President Obama nominates the solicitor general to replace Justice John Paul Stevens on the Supreme Court, though it’s unclear how tough of a confirmation […]

Isn’t it time we did something about repowering America? Most assuredly we consumers are playing a part in global warming. Most of us are dependent on fossil fuels for energy. I drive a vehicle, heat and light my home and office and I best most of you do also. With an oil well environmental disaster […]