Letters to the editor Feb. 23

Seeking balance

I am impressed, really impressed. I wrote a note to Sen. Tim Sheehy relative to wildfires in California and collaterally here in Montana. I received back a type written letter in quick response wherein he displayed great command of the dire situation our forests are in Montana, particularly in our northwest section. 

But even he cannot realize the amount of devastation caused in Northwest Montana by the policies enacted by the Endangered Species Act.

The implementation of the ESA has effectively destroyed logging and mining and related businesses in our region and collaterally the jobs, employment and economic activity that went along with those industrial bases. Our towns have disintegrated and our schools have diminished. Thousands of miles of roads have been destroyed or blocked off making millions of acres of land virtually inaccessible.  

Worse yet, any reasonable form of scientific forest management has been negated, turning our forests into overgrown, diseased and rotten fire fodder which consistently produce the wildfires and smoke which have polluted the environment and so negatively impacted the health and enjoyment of people who live, work and visit in this region while costing our state and our local communities tens of millions of dollars each year. 

Since it seems we are entering an age where common sense is returning to the forefront, I would like to suggest Sheehy proffers an amendment to the ESA. Something like the following: Any verdicts made under the terms off this act must take into equal consideration the effects of any decision on the surrounding communities and people who live in the area including their employment, industries, health, general welfare, education and enjoyment of their natural environment. In addition, scientific forest management dedicated to the health of our forests and particularly to the reduction and prevention of forest fires must be considered with equal weight as well. 

Putting the lives and needs of the people inhabiting our home lands on an equal basis with the needs of the animals would add common sense into our court decisions and bring back appropriate balance to the solutions we come up with. I do not think that is too much to ask and after so many years it would certainly be refreshing. 

— Mark Agather, Kalispell

Snowed in

As I am going to pick up my kids from school after this big storm we’ve had, I noticed people having to swerve around a lady walking with her dog down Reserve. The reason she’s not on the sidewalk is because there’s 2 feet of snow on the sidewalk because the Department of Transportation keeps plowing the snow onto their sidewalk, but doesn’t then remove the snow off of the sidewalk in any sort of a timely manner. 

What are they going to do when this is five lanes and there’s 2 more feet of snow on the sidewalk? 

As we’ve seen along LaSalle, the maintenance has been decent at best. I’m not sure if the people responsible for this are considering that the people who are walking don’t have cars or can’t drive, but they still have to go to their jobs and pick up food and the supplies that they need. The lack of sidewalks in the valley is already astounding, but the lack of maintenance is even worse. Let’s not even get into the fact we don’t have any functional public transportation for these people. 

They pay taxes just like we do and they deserve better. I don’t think they’re wearing $400 waterproof boots and a few layers of smart wool either. It takes them longer and ruins their shoes. 

So I have a question: What is the plan?

— Jeremy Phillips, Kalispell

Meat grinder

President Musk and Donald Trump are taking a meat ax to the federal government and its employees in the name of cutting costs. So, many thousands of innocent people are thrown into the meat grinder and lose their jobs like they are, well, illegal immigrants maybe. Their only crime? They accepted employment with the federal government. That’s it.

So, how did we get here? Congress has the power of the purse, correct? So, the bloated government is actually due to Congress, not the employees who are the innocent victims. Which begs the question: Why isn’t the meat ax being taken to Congress and their perks, overseas junkets and the list goes on? They are all millionaires, why are we even paying them?   

And while we are at it, what does it cost for Trump to jump into Air Force One and fly off to car races, Super Bowls, golf courses?  If we are cutting costs, evidently what’s good for the goose is not good for the gander. Why doesn’t he take his own plane and pay for it himself?

As long as Musk and gang are cutting costs, how about canceling all his government contracts. He is sucking off the taxpayers’ teat every single day. He is the richest man in the world. Why does he need American workers’ tax money?

What’s wrong with this picture?

— Jay Adams, Libby