American Dream Montana recently launched a petition to repeal Flathead County’s growth policy. That gives the pro-property rights group 90 days to gather 5,353 signatures to place the referendum on the 2012 ballot, since the deadline has already passed for the upcoming general election. If successful, it would either change the rulebook county officials use […]

Bill Schneider’s recent support for U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood was totally irresponsible (Aug. 11 Beacon: “Transportation Policy Takes a Right Turn”) and a disservice to the people of Montana. Schneider supported LaHood’s call to put bike paths on an even par for federally funded road projects. In Montana today, 20 percent of […]

Here in Montana, August brings us the county fair and farm harvests. And this year we also celebrate a harvest of victories for Glacier National Park, the North Fork Flathead River and Flathead Lake. In addition to commemorating Glacier’s first 100 years, citizens from across the Montana-British Columbia border, Gov. Brian Schweitzer, B.C. Premier Gordon […]

I really try to avoid talking about survival. I think it’s the wrong target because it places your business in a risky position. A bad month or a consecutive series of just two or three bad months can shift many businesses from a survival position to just-plain-closed. However, there are a lot of folks out […]

In this centennial year of Glacier National Park, it’s been a busy time for the Crown of the Continent, hasn’t it? The excitement started with British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell’s declaration that B.C. was banning minerals production in the Canadian part of the North Fork Flathead. Sens. Jon Tester and Max Baucus responded by introducing […]

What has Raceway Park contributed to the valley’s economy, lifestyle, and family entertainment? Will a Motocross park please more people than it might offend? I say be a community and encourage anything that provides a healthy activity for participants and spectators (mom, dad and the kids). I say be a good neighbor. This is done […]

It’s hard to believe that a couple of weeks ago I was attempting to cross the finish line of my first 100-mile run, the Swan Crest 100, a much debated about event. Unfortunately, I was sidelined early on due to injury and was unable to finish. With heartbreak and a wounded ego set aside, I […]

It would be difficult to find a better example of wasted stimulus dollars than those already spent to upgrade the Whitetail Port of Entry northeast of Scobey. Many of our readers have aptly compared it to the infamous “Bridge to Nowhere.” Let’s take a look at the two projects, shall we, and pore over evidence […]

Once again the USDA-Forest Service is asking our opinions after they’ve already made up their own. The “scoping” meeting last week at the Hungry Horse Ranger District was another example of the mill around and talk with employees about concerns with their proposed recreation plan for the east side of Hungry Horse Reservoir. I call […]

The term “public interest” is tossed around a lot and we should think about what it means. Groups sue to stop the construction of a generating plant, transmission line, highway project, or a timber sale and say that the lawsuit is being brought because of “public interest.” This greatly bothers me because I have not […]

Recently there was a bit of a fuss about United kicking people off an overweight plane based on the fare they paid. Since then, there were a number of discussions/suggestions on how to choose which passengers to remove in order to get the plane to flyable weight: By passenger weight By ticket purchase date By […]

An arbitrary ruling in California caused a referendum, initiated by millions of people to be dismantled; that is, a law forbidding men to marry other men was outlawed. Out of nowhere, a ruling by the Federal government overturned that referendum against the electorate of California last week, executed solely by one judge, supposedly uninfluenced by […]

A recent Kids Count survey found that Montana’s students are dropping out of school at some of the highest rates the country. The numbers are disheartening and just another excuse to analyze the area’s youth and discuss what can be done to keep them in line. When reports like this are released, it’s easy for […]

Here we go again: Politicians pandering for votes to save their jobs. Gov. Brian Schweitzer and Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester have cut a deal with our British Columbia neighbors to stop coal mining in the Flathead river drainage of British Columbia. Guess who will pay the ransom? That’s right, the taxpayers of Montana! […]

I recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with Montana Sens. Jon Tester and Max Baucus as well as with the staff of the Department of Energy, White House Budget Office, and several House and Senate members from other states. Why? Because that’s where the money is. Your money. With the full support of the […]