Editorial

Some important choices are approaching

Letters to the editor

City council should be better informed

Editor,
I applaud the efforts of John Mitchell to rectify what has been an ongoing practice in St Ignatius and another small town in Montana.
It appears that Mayor Gariepy and the former Police Chief, P.D. Van Hoose were caught with their “pants down” and that their only defense is to besmirch the integrity of a concerned resident of St. Ignatius.
The mayor of a town and particularly a police chief, should be well versed in the legal criteria for police officers. When the administrator of the Montana Peace Officers Standards and Training Council informs you twice that you have “no peace officer powers,” you had better take heed.
Furthermore, the statements made by the mayor and P.D. Van Hoose concerning qualified applicants for the position of police chief were false. In April of 2009, three individuals who are Montana peace officer qualified, submitted applications to Mayor Gariepy. One of those individuals has 24 years of law enforcement experience and holds a Montana Advanced Peace Officer Standards and Training certificate.
The city council of St. Ignatius should be thankful that John Mitchell brought this matter to their attention and should stay more informed about their police department.
If you do not follow the law or intentionally mislead the city council, what kind of message are you sending to the citizens of your community?
P.D. Van Hoose is not the victim in this. It is the citizens of St. Ignatius who put their trust in a couple of guys that operated outside the guidelines and laws of Montana.
Dave Bartholome
Police Officer, retired
Pablo

Film was thought-provoking

Editor,
I’d like to publicly thank Annette Shiele for arranging the showing of the film, “Not Evil, Just Wrong: The True Cost of Global Warming Hysteria” last Sunday. It was very interesting and thought-provoking.
Should, as the film suggests, the public demand that data supporting the assertions made on the topic of global climate change be fully subject to replication?
When political decisions may cause the lights to go out for our children, should not supporting analyses be mathematically and scientifically indisputable?
As an aside, I recently saw the Greenland Ice Cap firsthand. It looked pretty solid to me.
John Cummings
Polson

DeVries shows willingness to serve

Editor,
Once again the upcoming election gives Polson residents the opportunity to select individuals who will best represent us in making important decisions that will have a direct, immediate and long-term affect on our community.
Many of us have tired of the city's frequent governmental indecision, internal bickering and frequent disregard for citizen input. For several years, some of our elected officials have failed to address and solve major problems and at times, been less than candid when asked to provide what should be readily available information regarding the city's actions, decisions and business transactions.
If you want leaders who are honest, good listeners, devoid of self-serving and ulterior motives and not easily intimidated, the solution is fairly simple. Take your right and responsibility to vote seriously.
To cast a ballot for the most qualified individuals available is fairly simple to do. Just read the qualifications of each candidate that the local media has provided for us to call and/or approach the candidates and ask questions.
One of the most obvious candidate choices this year is Pat DeVries. She is once again willing to serve as our mayor. Merely review her past and current record of community service that includes years of broad community development. Pat's willingness to give of her time and abilities over the years is impressive.
Pat is approachable, positive and easy to discuss issues with and is transparent in her positions and perspectives. I appreciate her philosophy regarding the obligation of those serving in local government and agree with her on several important issues currently being considered by city residents and the council. It does not appear that Pat has any negative personal biases or agendas.
Please review Pat's resume and her positions on the important issues so you can make an informed decision when you cast your vote. Do the same while selecting new members to the city council on Nov. 3.
Dennis G. Jones
Polson

Climate change is the most important issue to ever face our species

Editor,
A tipping point is a simple enough idea to understand. It’s the point of no return. You can’t go back again.
With climate change there are several tipping points. One of the big ones is the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is an essential component of our atmosphere. Without it life would be impossible. It is necessary for plants to grow and to keep the temperature of our planet high enough to support living things.
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas — the most important of many greenhouse gases. It works much like the glass walls of a greenhouse and a wonderfully self-balancing mechanism.
At least it was. Beginning about 300 years ago, we began to disrupt this mechanism by burning fossil fuels, pouring unnatural amounts of carbon dioxide into the air.
It has long been known this was probably going to result in serious problems, but exactly what and when could only be guessed at ... until recently. The science is now available to answer these questions. Unfortunately, the answers are not pleasant.
Various research labs around the world have evaluated the conditions under which previous major changes in climate have occurred and have concluded that any concentration of carbon dioxide above 350 parts per million parts of air is unsustainable. Unfortunately, we are already well past that point. We are currently pushing 390ppm.
What will happen? Early on glaciers will melt, epidemics will become more common, species will go extinct, established forests will die, drought and starvation will be more common, and storms more violent. Later, things will get very nasty indeed and by then it will be too late to do anything about. We may, however, be able to do something now. If we don’t get the atmospheric concentration of CO2 below 350 soon we won’t have another chance.
Any climate change policy which doesn’t aim at reducing greenhouse gasses to below the critical level as soon as possible is going to fail. In December the next round of treaty talks on climate change will take place in Copenhagen, Denmark. The rich, industrialized nations will be pressing to continue the Kyoto approach of modest and inoffensive policies.
On the other hand there are a growing number of nations which will take to the meetings the opinion that the problem should be solved. Mohamed Nasheed the President of the Maldives put it succinctly: “Copenhagen can be one of two things. It can be an historic event where the world unites against carbon pollution, in a collective spirit of co-operation and collaboration. Or, Copenhagen can be a suicide pact.”
About a year ago an organization aimed at clearly presenting the facts to the world and the world’s leaders was formed. The organization is called appropriately 350.org. On Oct. 24 there will be thousands of actions around the world with this aim. Several will be in our valley. Join us in these events. On the Internet find www.350.org/. There you will find up to the minute details of these events and thousands of others around the world, as well as the answers to all your questions about climate change.
The Flathead Reservation Human Rights Coalition has taken the initiative of encouraging these actions. Climate change is the ultimate human rights issue.
Harold W. Young
St. Ignatius

Food pantry given unique opportunity

Editor,
The Polson Loaves and Fish Food Pantry has a great opportunity to capture significant "match" money from Town Pump — $5,000 to help support its food outreach activities and improve its facilities. The Pantry needs donations from individuals, businesses, and service groups to realize the "match" money that is being offered. This program has already begun and runs through Nov. 30.
Please make your tax deductible donations payable to: Polson Loaves and Fish Food Pantry. They may be mailed to 10 - 8th Avenue East, Polson, MT, 59860 or dropped off at the Pantry (same address) on Tuesdays or Fridays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Checks may also be dropped off at Town Pump located on U.S. Highway 93 in Polson.
As our country's economy continues to slow down, more and more families are seeking emergency or supplemental food assistance from the Polson Food Pantry. During the most recent quarter of operation, our pantry distributed over 33,000 pounds of food products to its clients.
The pantry operates strictly with volunteer personnel. What a wonderful and fulfilling way to "lend a helping hand" to those in our community that need some help. Won't you join me in making a donation to Polson Loaves and Fish Food Pantry?
Sid Rundell
Board Member, Loaves and Fish Food Pantry
Big Arm

Every little bit helps

Editor,
Be a friend in deed to those in need. What a great slogan. The Town Pump Inc of Butte is celebrating its eighth anniversary of their "Be a Friend in Deed" food drive where they meet monetary donations gathered by food banks throughout the state from September through the end of November.
The funds raised within each community will be used exclusively by its local food bank. With that kind of incentive, we have moved our holiday drive for monetary donations to an earlier time while keeping the food donations closer to November and December.
We are working hard to meet the goal of $5,000, which Town Pump will match and with the support of our generous friends, the Bread Basket will be able to help those in.
All of us are seeing or feeling the change in our country. With winter coming and jobs scarce, it is reassuring to know that we live in a community that works together and helps those in need. Our community already works hard at being a "friend in deed."
The Bread Basket had a very good summer with wonderful donations of fresh fruits and vegetables. It has been an excellent harvest and we hope no one will go hungry this year.
In addition, we are grateful for the $1,000 grant received from the Catholic Diocesan Offering Program's "Aid to the Needy." The Boy Scouts donated as well as the College Campus Corp from SKC. They collected and brought in food every week throughout the summer. Every little bit helps.
There are so many that unfailingly keep us going by donating their time, energy, food and financial support.
The Bread Basket is an emergency food pantry, which means that we provide each eligible family with enough food for only four days a month. Approximately 40 percent of our recipients have jobs, but do not make enough money to be above the poverty level, according to state income guidelines.
Many of our recipients are elderly and cannot work. In these times it gets harder to find work and part-time work often does not support a family. During the holidays, we try to give out a special basket in addition to the regular staples.
Any specialty items such as cranberries, jello, pie, cake mixes, candy or treats for children would be received with great appreciation.
All food donations can be dropped off Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bread Basket, located at 10 6th Ave SW. Donations can be mailed to PO Box 346, Ronan, MT 59864 or dropped off at your local Town Pump.
Please remember the goal we need to reach by the end of November for matching funds from Town Pump. We are extremely grateful for anything offered. Thank you for your support. We could not share food with those who are hungry without it.
Gloria Kramer
Vice Chairman, Bread Basket Board
Ronan

Homecoming spirit appreciated

Editor,
A great big thank you to Leandria from The Biscuit in Arlee for the decorations she put up for Arlee’s Homecoming. Besides the cold, they did a great job.
Leandria decorated the outside of The Biscuit for everyone to see and enjoy.
BJ Smith
Arlee