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 […]

I have always been fascinated with Iceland and, recently, everyone else has been, too. But not for the reasons Icelanders would prefer. Not for its thermal pools. Not for the lofty life expectancy of its residents. Not for Björk, either. Iceland has made news for a recent volcano and something far worse: banking. While the […]

A recent guest commentary (April 14 Beacon: “Co-op Leadership is Out of Bounds on EPA Directive”) by Eric Grimsrud misinterpreted electric co-op activity related to greenhouse gas emissions. Flathead Electric, Montana’s electric cooperatives and the National Rural Electric Cooperative association are engaged in a grassroots advocacy campaign to inform co-op members of pending legislative and […]

Psssst. Hey buddy, want a job? How about working for Mother Nature? She’s putting out enough wind and sun in Montana to run windmills and solar panels until the cows come home. And there’s a ton of jobs waiting to come home, too, if we play our cards right. Check out those windmills, for example […]

Never let facts get in the way of some good hysteria. That seems to be the mantra of the fringe anti-wolf crowd as it once again seizes on the iconic animal’s imagined evils in yet another attempt to revisit the futile notion of a second extermination. Pick up a newspaper in any part of Montana, […]

Forty-five years ago, a friend of mine named George sponsored my ski film and personal appearance in Albany, N.Y. He and his ski club always filled the local high school auditorium. Last week, I was doing a book signing at a nearby ski resort and he put his money on the counter, bought another copy […]

Last week, I talked about how the iPad ( and devices like it ) can become a strategic advantage for your business. I believe that every organization (not just “business”) needs to put some strategic thought into how (or if) a location-enabled, touch device like this can help them, but restaurants & real estate are […]

Congressman Denny Rehberg rakes in the campaign cash. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate in the Flathead breaks another record. HIGH MISSOULA CITY COUNCIL – Adopting the first ordinance in the state that prevents discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, over the opposition of conservative protestors, this decision made headlines all over Montana. DENNY REHBERG […]

The U.S. was attacked on Dec. 7, 1941 and Sept.11, 2001. Tom Hanks is the co-producer of the HBO series, “The Pacific,” about WWII. In recent interviews, he has compared our war against Japan in WWII with our war against radical Islam now, as both racially motivated. I suggest Hanks read “The Rape of Nanking” […]

There is stigma attached to being employed in the public sector. You are accused of inefficiency, ineptitude and, if you serve on a council or board that wields any sort of power, bias. But if working for the “man” was derided before the recession, it has only worsened since. And the Flathead is a prime […]

Regarding the feasibility study being undertaking by the Montana Department of Transportation, it should be noted that the state was notified back in February 2009 that it had yet to comply with the mandated Federal US-EPA guidelines for implementing and maintaining a Haze and Visibility Program set into policy back in 1977. If one reads […]