Rejecting doe tag was prudent choice

The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission considered some pretty big changes in the state hunting regulations, and ended up making some tough choices this week.

Most notably, for the broader hunting public in Northwest Montana, the commissioners rejected a proposal to offer unlimited, over-the-counter "B" tags for whitetail does in the region. Most hunters who commented on the proposal raised concerns that it had the potential to put a serious, lasting dent in some of the region's whitetail populations.

They preferred to err on the side of caution to maintain the deer population and future hunting opportunities. The commissioners did the right thing in respecting those concerns and rejecting the proposal.

The Big Arm community on Flathead Lake should take a moment to congratulate itself at a potluck dinner Monday evening at the fire hall.

Faced with the possibility of having its fire hall station mothballed, residents rallied. They raised money, volunteered to train as firefighters, and got acquainted with their neighbors in a united effort.

The Big Arm fire station is a substation of the Polson Rural Fire Department, which is struggling with finances. In the aftermath of a failed levy election, the Polson department announced it would have to close the Big Arm station unless it could help support itself.

The Big Arm community took that challenge like a champ. It's a great reminder of what a good community with volunteer leaders can do.

Hats off to the state highway department for pursuing the development of a less corrosive road de-icer and to local chemist David Wilkening for helping to create the product.

The new de-icer has already proven to be effective, state officials say. It's nicknamed Flubber and uses a corn-syrup derivative in salt brine to disrupt the corrosion process.

The state sought out less corrosive de-icers three years ago after a grassroots movement led by over-the-road truckers petitioned all levels of government to cut back or stop using magnesium chloride. State highway maintenance specialist Dan Williams said Flubber "is a really good example of us keeping true to our word."

That's what we like to see from our government - people keeping their promises.