Letters to the editor Dec. 22
Water rights settlement
Like many in western Montana I have been tracking the Flathead Water Compact for years. Finally, after more than a decade, two Montana legislative votes, and two separate introductions in Congress (Tester in 2016), Senator Tester and Senator Daines have introduced the Montana Water Rights Protection Act of 2016. I support it.
Unlike the 2016 version, this bill now has bipartisan support including the support of the Secretary of the Interior Barnhart and the administration. The head of Montana’s DNRC has called the federal review of the Compact the most comprehensive of any tribal water compact anywhere in the country.
The current version reduces the cost to taxpayers by $400 million while ensuring that enough funds get appropriated for modernizing to the Flathead Irrigation system. These funds and associated improvements are critical to the implied promise of this legislation — that water rights will be protected. The water saved through irrigation system improvements will help ensure that irrigators get their allotments and that fish and wildlife get theirs as well.
This issue has been debated endlessly. Compromises have been made on both sides. As U.S Attorney General Barr commented while in Kalispell recently, “People should not assume that they’re going to end up with a better deal” through litigation, which would be the other, much worse option.·
Thousands of water right claims will be settled, and Flathead irrigators will reap the benefits of a much improved irrigation system. Thank you Senator Tester and Senator Daines for agreeing to co-sponsor this critically important legislation for Montana. Montanans can indeed work together and come to agreement.
—Edwin Fields, Whitefish
Changing valley
Stop! Look! Listen! Remember that as a kid when your folks went to cross the railroad tracks? It’s just another fading occurrence experienced nowadays here in the Flathead.
So many changes. So many newcomers! Where are they coming from and what is becoming of our once, so quiet and simple way of life? Remember those days when you’d drive down Main Street and you’d be waving or beeping your horn at nearly everyone who drove past or who’d be walking on the sidewalks?
Remember going over to the B&B to shop and you’d see neighbors or relatives and spend more time gabbing with them then actually shopping? You knew all the clerks and they knew you. Then you’d sometimes spend a little time in the B&B Café where you shared jokes with your favorite waitress and enjoy a pleasant bite to eat. No one was a stranger.
And there was the Dixie Inn at Four Corners for a fun night out. No worry ever of being accosted or having something happen to your vehicle while you’re were inside dancing up a storm. We all knew each other. No one was a stranger.
Now, life here is becoming so much faster and more disrespectful. You see it every day. People speeding well above the posted speed limits with no regard for wildlife, and sadly, a STOPPED school bus. People littering everywhere. You NEVER saw that years ago.
And now, certain people actually defacing our precious signs of endearment in Woodland Park. A park that for years and years, as kids, you could roam about and never have to worry about a stranger being there, waiting to do something malicious and truly destructive.
Most newcomers appear to be considerate while trying to adhere to a Montana kind of lifestyle, however, then there are those who will always be strangers. How sad it is that they chose to make our home their place to live.
—Brenda Anderson, Columbia Falls
Cast a wider net
It was interesting to read the article about the Columbia Falls trustees interviewing an “in-house” candidate for the superintendent’s position. Was I the only who thought the statement, “We’re underfunded. It’s still not at the level it needs to be,” a point to ponder?
Perhaps while traveling the country he hasn’t realized the taxpayers passed a technology levy a year ago for half a million a year for 10 years, and just passed the $37 million bond for School District No. 6. I think the taxpayers have done a great job of supporting schools to the tune of $42 million in two years!
With terrible test scores in our local schools and statements such as this, it’s time for new eyes, new leadership and accountability with transparency.
Ronald Reagan once said: The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.
Our students are great and deserve fresh blood with strong ideas to take us into the future. A renewed commitment to the students and taxpayers would be a welcome change. How about casting a wider net? Our kids deserve it.
—Dee Brown, Hungry Horse
Appreciates United Way
There are many people in the area who have been doing volunteer work with nonprofit organizations for quite some time. The United Way has been a big part of that effort.
The “Rake up the Flathead,” “Christmas in April,” numerous community events and support of local nonprofits is what the United Way has been about. At the forefront for most all of these events as organizer and contact person has been Sherry Stevens. Sherry’s 30-plus years of caring and giving, speak to her dedication to making our community a better place to live.
I have known Sherry since I began participating in events like “Rake up the Flathead” and “Christmas in April” 30 years ago. I do greatly appreciate all she has done and know she will continue to work for those in need.
—Kim Davis, Kalispell