Most of us consider Montana’s primaries to be “open” in that anyone can vote by simply choosing to fill out a Democratic or Republican ballot on June 8. But there are limits to that openness since, while you don’t have to register with either political party to participate, you are still pigeonholed into picking between […]

Shame on the Beacon for making the Nazi film showing front page news (May 5 Beacon: “Nazi Films Inflame Tensions in Kalispell”). And shame on the Kalispell library for making the decision to show the film. It’s clear that Karl Gharst is running low on “new members” to add to his Neo-Nazi group from Hayden, […]

One of the first things that you hear from business people after a story in the news about a failing school or troubled teacher is that schools need to run like a business. Listen to the news about today’s natural disaster response and you’ll hear the same about community organizations. “Run them like a business […]

Last month we saw the tragedy of a little boy, flying alone on an airplane to Russia returned by his adoptive mother to a place he barely recalled. This sad event became an international news story, if not an international incident. As with many tragedies, this one could have been prevented. Intermountain, a 100-year-old children’s […]

The United States of America continues to get more polarized politically. There is absolutely no chance of that changing. In the absence of a Civil War to see which side wins, since both sides are heterogeneously mixed together, I have a recommendation of how to end the stalemate: Let’s divide the nation in two along […]

Ivan Keeney lands a monster pike in Smith Lake. Meanwhile, Flathead County owes local deputies thousands of dollars in back pay. HIGH CONOCOPHILLIPS – This Houston-based oil giant is relinquishing its interest on 169,000 acres of oil and gas leases along the North Fork. IVAN KEENEY – This beginning fly-caster may have set a North […]

I was wondering who is Mr. Kephart? Who is he working for? And where does he plan to hunt after the dust settles on I-161? If he is successful he has succeeded in deregulating one of the most regulated industries in the state. Instead of helping sportsman secure more private land he has actually seriously […]

As expected, Kalispell City Council voted last week to prevent any new medical marijuana dispensaries from opening up by adopting a zoning ordinance that prohibits establishing businesses within town limits that conflict with federal law. The timing is ironic, since the state of Montana is currently involved in a highly publicized lawsuit that challenges federal […]

What surprises me about Flathead County’s current road study ($125,000 worth) is that the North Fork Road has virtually no traffic eight months of the year and half of the residents and landowners on the North Fork don’t want it paved! Wouldn’t you think that the county would be more interested in valley’s gravel roads […]

Over the years, my wife Laurie and I have had the privilege of skiing with a lot of different people from all walks of life. The other day she made a list of some of them. The people on the list ranged from Diana Golden, who won 37 gold and silver medals in the Handicap […]

The American school board is a unique institution. Nowhere else in the world is the control of the formal education of children so close to the people. Living in an era of great bureaucracy, the local school board stands out as a fine example of grassroots democracy. As the May 4 school board election approaches, […]

I was speaking with a wanna be business owner the other day who I *know* has the skills to help people in the market where he works. When I say “wanna be”, I don’t mean they can’t do it, or won’t do it, just that they haven’t done it and something is missing: that first […]

The Flathead County commissioners won’t be renewing county planner Jeff Harris’s contract. I’m sure the Citizens for a Better Flathead cadre are watering their wine with tears, while American Dream Montana members are doing handsprings and cartwheels. I’ll confess to smiling a little – but not much. The intensity of reaction from both sides makes […]

I personally don’t care for the Tea Party because they are way to conservative for my taste. I do agree with them on the size of the government along with its excess taxing and spending, but I also with most Democrats as they are way to liberal. Are there any other people out there who […]

Stephen Naethe of Pablo continues to dominate the Mack Days tournament. Meanwhile, Kalispell City Council bans new medical marijuana businesses. HIGH BRIAN SCHWEITZER – The governor’s administration successfully negotiates lower lease rates for agencies renting space across the state, saving more than $3.4 million. CONRAD BURNS – This former Montana senator is regaining strength and […]