Letters to the editor April 19
Vote for the incumbents
School election for the board of trustees is coming up fast. As a past trustee, I would like to encourage you to vote for the incumbent trustees.
The board is volunteer. No remuneration is paid. These people have had a tough year. Their decisions have been made with the best interest and safety of your children at the forefront. This group has devoted hours upon hours to solve issues in these convoluted times. They have the dedication, staying power and knowledge to propel the district in the right direction.
—Mary Klein Ruby, Kalispell
The train, the train
Oh, the joyous benefits the citizens of Evergreen are receiving since the much desired Kalispell Rail Park. NOT!
To be awakened by a blaring train whistle at 7:30 a.m., or hearing the train whistle numerous times of the day. And the benefits from the whistle are what? Each crossing has existing flashing lights, bells and barricades. Is that not enough to make a motorist aware a train might be coming? At times the blaring whistle will last six plus seconds in one blast. And then several more blasts after that. I have timed it.
The Federal Railroad Administration has established a “Railroad Quiet Zone.” These zones are designated by the Federal Railroad Administration, and the idea is to enhance the quality of life for neighbors by prohibiting the use of whistles in certain neighborhoods.
Missoula, Billings, Shelby, Helena and Bozeman already have established such zones.
If you are in support of trying to establish these “Quiet Zones” in Kalispell I suggest you contact our County Commissioners and ask them to please look into that possibility.
—Brian Launius, Kalispell
I speak for the trees
Trees are a vital public resource that define the character of our unique mountain town, yet our community continues to allow the butchering of mature trees, permitting the perpetrator to seek forgiveness rather than ask permission.
The mature native cottonwoods in a city park were removed by the homeowner next door. The Town Pump cleared a small forest of mature trees, diminishing habitat and the natural ambience of the entryway to Whitefish.
If this continues we are well on our way to becoming “Anywhere USA”.
Trees are our guardians and protectors: they provide shade,they clean the air, and they give shelter to all living beings. I call upon the people of Whitefish to protect our trees. Disregard for our trees will shatter the soul of Whitefish.
“I speak for the trees,
I speak for the trees for the trees have no tongues.”
Dr. Seuss, The Lorax
—Nancy Allan, Whitefish
Republican agenda
All these copy-cat bills cranked out by unidentified GOP operatives have not reflected well on Montana legislators, who formerly did more of their own thinking. They used to listen to the people in their districts for real Montana concerns.
For the Republican Party, who dispensed with adopting a party platform at its national convention, the origin of these measures to constrain voter access, limit local government responsibility, meddle in patient-doctor relationships, open up patronage hiring in state agencies, limit media rights, and punish tax-exempt nonprofits for legitimate activity should be questioned.
The intent and ramifications of these “model bills” have been ignored, testimony denied, and scheduling ramrodded. Unintended consequences, “do-overs” and expensive litigation can only result.
All this punitive and power wielding excess was avoidable, if the giddy Montana Republican majority had been less enthusiastic about assuming a pre-packaged agenda from unknown national sources.
—Margaret Davis, Lakeside
American Rescue Act
The media has done the public a great disservice by popularizing the American Rescue Act of 2021, leading the public to believe that its $1,400 stimulus package is the sole component of the bill.
The fact is, however, that Bill 1319 has over 200 sections amounting to almost $2 trillion in giveaways. Not only is the stimulus package less than 20% of the total, but most of the sections are not even COVID related.
Here are just a few examples: the Emergency Federal Employee Leave Fund of $570,000,000 is for federal employees who are self-quarantined or have children whose schools are closed. Four billion dollars will go to “socially disadvantaged” farmers — Blacks, Native Americans and Hispanics — forgiving 120% of their debt. Nearly $7 billion is apportioned for Native American health care, $10 million for the preservation of Native American languages, and $20 billion for tribal governments. In no section of the bill is money allotted exclusively to Caucasians. Howard University will get $35,000,000, and the arts and humanities have access to $270,000,000. These examples represent only a small fraction of the 200 sections contained in the bill.
Where this money is going to come from is another issue altogether. The point here is that the media has behaved irresponsibly by headlining the stimulus package and failing to inform the public of the full impact of the American Rescue Act of 2021.
—Larry Mckenzie, Choteau