Don't think Montanans don't care

Inter Lake Editorial

Montana's "F" on mental-health services, graded by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is reason for pause but not reason for panic.

First of all, put things in perspective by realizing that the country as a whole got only a combined "D" grade. That's because mental illness is a complex problem that has no easy solutions, especially after courts ruled that the mentally ill cannot be hospitalized against their will.

Montana's even lower score is partly caused by its No. 3 ranking in the nation for suicides. But the study shouldn't be misinterpreted to suggest that Montana is ignoring its mentally ill residents. The state actually ranks 11th highest in per-capita spending on the issue, while only 45th in per-capita income. That shows a commitment to help this vulnerable segment of society, even though the task may overtax our modest resources.

The study chides Montana for not having more beds in hospitals and crisis units so that the mentally ill don't have to be housed in jails. Admittedly, that is a longtime problem, but groups locally and statewide have been working to correct it for many years.

In fact, there is always room for improvement, but based on the good work of many people we know, and the state's commitment to improve services whenever possible, we think it is unfair to say that Montana is failing its mentally ill population.

Bob Keenan is hitting the road - the campaign road, that is - and he's doing it in an RV.

Keenan plans to crisscross the state for the next month, joined by his wife and children in what he calls an "old-fashioned, grass-roots power-of-one campaign."

Is it a gimmick? You bet. But it is a gimmick that may resonate with voters who are likely not in a mood for slick politicians who are more interested in raising money for big-city advertising campaigns than in meeting the common folks.

Keenan has never been a traditional politician, but the Bigfork businessman hasn't let that hold him back. He rose quickly to a position of power in the Montana Senate and had an admirable record as president of that body.

Now he has sets his sights higher and is challenging Sen. Conrad Burns for the Republican nomination. It is an almost impossible task, but as long as there is gas in the tank of the RV, don't count Keenan out.

The feasibility study is done and the business plan is finished. Now it's time to raise a bunch of money - quickly - for the Glacier Center for the Performing Arts.

How much is a bunch? About $13 million needs to be pledged by the end of May, according to organizers of the effort to build a 51,000-square-foot arts center in Kalispell.

The center got a boost recently with a $4 million commitment from a longtime seasonal resident, but that's just a start toward the $17 million target for the "quiet" phase of fundraising for the $26 million project.

That's a lot of money to raise in a short time, so we hope generous donors will step forward to help make this arts center, long a dream, become a reality.

If you want to help out this worthy cause, or just want more information, log on to www.glacierperformingartscenter.org