My wife’s birthday was a weekend or so ago, so as a last bit of her gift (a weekend at Schnaus cabin), our youngest son and I took her to one of our favorite restaurants in the Valley. As we sat down and started to catch up on our youngest’s just-finished first semester at college, […]

Business plans have many forms. When entrepreneurs come to the attention of potential investors, they may be invited to make verbal presentations to a select group of investors. This is commonly accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation. In his book, The Art of the Start, Guy Kawasaki provides sage advice to presenting entrepreneurs: Follow the 10/20/30 […]

If there is any interest group that can traditionally wade through the partisan divide of Montana politics, it’s children. For many legislative sessions the mantra for passing bills in the Legislature is the same: “It’s for the kids.” This simple declaration paved the way for all-day kindergarten and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Both […]

On behalf of the Montana Common Sense Coalition, I applaud Steve Bullock, Montana’s attorney general, for bringing forth meaningful DUI prevention legislation. It is our hope that legislators will follow Bullock’s lead and use the 2011 legislative session as an opportunity to address Montana’s serious DUI problem. 
 One of the data-driven policy solutions being […]

In the last weeks there has been some concerning news in Columbia Falls. One was a possible school expulsion; one, a death of an unemployed logger who died of hypothermia in a parking lot. One of the stories gained national prominence; one was relegated to a small column. As a society of which story truly […]

Although I have seldom agreed with many of the positions taken by Mike Jopek in the past, I am delighted with his recent article (Dec. 15 Beacon: “Nuclear Rights Vested With the People”). In that editorial, he enthusiastically supports the right of the citizens of the state of Montana to exclusively determine whether nuclear waste […]

It’s mostly the reaction we get in exchange for presents. It lasts only a few moments, but somehow it’s worth spending hours looking online, in catalogues and on store racks for that perfect gift. Some of those on our lists are easier to shop for than others. My nephews, for example, will lose their minds […]

The time is nigh for the people of Montana to demand a permanent property tax system that is simple to understand, equitable for all, and provides predictable revenue from residential, commercial and agriculture property owners. Our Legislature should put an end to the reappraisal panic every six years, the inequities of phase-in and our method […]

One of the things I’m always pushing clients to do is expand their education. This education expands well beyond your line of business, because there are valuable lessons from every industry. Likewise, there are processes in almost every industry that you can learn from, modify to fit your needs and thus use in a completely […]

Ever noticed how Montana makes the news only when stupid stuff happens? Our latest claim to national fame comes courtesy of Columbia Falls High School. CFHS junior Demari DeReu forgot her hunting rifle in her car trunk after the last weekend of hunting season. She remembered it when a school lockdown/sniffdown was announced, and immediately […]

Montana Republicans, who will enjoy large majorities in both chambers at the state Capitol this upcoming session, plan on bypassing Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer’s veto pen by referring some divisive measures directly to voters in 2012. Let’s hope by then the state requires the Voter Information Pamphlet, which is used to explain each referendum, to […]

Montanans have long cherished native bull trout and westslope cutthroat as important sport fish, cultural symbols, indicators of good water quality and drivers of our recreation economy. Many Montanans grew up learning how to fish by catching these two species. Future Montana kids deserve the same opportunities, but without determined actions now, these opportunities will […]

A recent editorial asked, “what were voters thinking” in reference to I-164, the initiative that will cap interest rates on payday and car title loans starting Jan. 1. Well, the voters were thinking that 300 to 650 percent interest rates charged to Montana families struggling to make ends meet are outrageous, wrong and constitute modern […]

Thirty plus years ago, Montanans had vision. We chose to vest nuclear power decisions with voters. I-80 passed by two-thirds vote and codifies in Montana law, “the people of Montana reserve to themselves the exclusive right to determine whether major nuclear facilities are built and operated in this state.” It’s not a moratorium, but simply […]

As I read the story about the success of logger James Stupack’s new business, I was quite pleased to hear of his creativity and stick-to-it attitude. It’s easy to give up. He didn’t. He added value. I’ve spent a lot of time talking to folks on that topic. Sometimes it comes in the form of […]