Several Flathead-area senators deserve thanks for voting to protect energy independent Montanans. Thanks, in particular, to Sen. Ryan Zinke (R-Whitefish) for his leadership. Recently, the state Senate voted against a bill (SB 226) that would have crippled grid-interconnected home scale solar and wind energy projects in Montana. During the debate, Zinke stood up and said […]

It was telling when in 2009 Kalispell voters rejected a $4.1 million-high school building reserve levy for School District No. 5. It had been approved every time it was on the ballot since 1982. When times are good, it’s easier to support schools. But they’re not. The building levy was just one of many that […]

During the campaign season, majority party lawmakers in the Montana Legislature promised voters they would focus in January on balancing the state’s budget, reducing unnecessary government and creating jobs. Who could argue with these general goals? Apparently they were kidding. Instead of addressing the economy, many Republican legislators are spending – many would say wasting […]

Last week, a Beacon reader sent me a nice note, and while doing so, posed a question. He said “One thing I am dying to read from you, is how do you get rid of a pain in the butt client – or a pathological recreational shopper — or the perfectionist from hell — without […]

In January, U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy issued an “Order to Show Cause” to parties in a lawsuit (CV-08-14-M-DWM, filed January 2008) by Defenders of Wildlife. Defenders sued, claiming that wolf-management regulations the government issued under Endangered Species Act Section 10(j) authority allow too many wolves to be killed via management actions. Case 14 […]

One of my favorite things to grill is lamb and especially the leg. With all the great flavor of lamb chops or rack of lamb, but usually costing half the price, a leg of lamb can be the perfect choice for entertaining groups of 6 to 10. I like to season lamb in a variety […]

I’d like to express a few concerns over an issue brewing in the Eastside neighborhood and that is over the Boiler Room’s request for the right to serve beer and wine. The Eastside is an established neighborhood with families and children. Serving alcohol makes our neighborhood less safe for children and as the father of […]

Lawmakers in the Montana House of Representatives, many arguing that they are worried about the stress their county clerks and recorders are under on Election Day, have supported eliminating same-day voter registration. But if you’ve been paying attention at all this session, you quickly realize that the bill’s backers are not really worried about that […]

Dear Sen. Jim Shockley, I have been looking over some of the bills you are carrying or sponsoring in the Senate and must applaud you on a few of them – specifically Senate Bill 17 and Senate Bill 18. I am confused then why you would not support Senate Bill 114, which like one of […]

How is it that five members of the Montana Legislature can overturn the will of the people of Montana and the United States? I am deeply disappointed that you voted to eliminate funding for the lifesaving Montana Tobacco Use Prevention Program. I am outraged that you chose Corporate Tobacco over protecting Montana’s children. In 2002, […]

The tax deal negotiated by President Obama and the Republican congressional leadership has been called a “stealth stimulus package.” By maintaining all the Bush tax cuts, renewing unemployment insurance benefits, adding a payroll tax cut, and so on, the deal will probably boost the speed of the economic recovery. But is it enough to reduce […]

Whether you love what you do or chose it for the money, the math that makes the business work…actually has to work. It’s more complicated than how much you spend and how much you make. How’d you come up with the prices for your stuff? If you’re a retailer, you probably had someone tell you […]

“We conclude first and foremost that this crisis was avoidable,” said Phil Angelides, chairman of the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission (FCIC). In last month’s report the FCIC said the financial crisis that spread to Montana could have been avoided. The FCIC contends that the causes of the crisis lay with the federal authorities, under presidents […]

Only a few of the new Obamacare regulations are in effect now. But they’ve already made insurance so expensive that Health & Human Services had to grant waivers to 733 businesses and unions so they could continue current insurance for 2.1 million employees. The list of waiver recipients includes Hypex, Inc. (with one employee) and […]

Nothing sets the mood for romance like chocolate. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, this couldn’t be a better time to share with you two of my favorite chocolate desserts. If you want to do something extra special to make your Valentine’s heart melt, I invite you to prepare one of these for your […]