Not because we envy the warmth of its spring (although it certainly is enviable in Montana in mid-March) or its renowned entertainment attractions (although Daytona and Orlando play roles in this story.)

Florida deserves our thanks because that state’s newspapers stood up against government secrecy and, by their example, inspired a national movement.

The year was 2002. Florida’s legislature was primed to restrict access to a host of public records as a response to 9-11. Led by the Orlando Sentinel and its editor, Tim Franklin, Florida newspapers staged a one-day editorial effort to call attention to the assault on open government laws. They called it “Sunshine Sunday.”

Advocating on behalf of public access was nothing new to Franklin or the Sentinel. A year earlier, they had requested—and received—state autopsy records of NASCAR race driver Dale Earnhardt, Sr. following his death at the 2001 Daytona 500. The Sentinel sought the records, which were available under the state’s “Sunshine Law,” so it could obtain an independent (in other words, a non-NASCAR) opinion on the cause of Earnhardt’s death.

The request spawned a veritable hurricane of opposition by NASCAR fans and Florida state lawmakers, who tried to thwart the Sentinel with protests and legislation.

A year later, with lawmakers making an even broader assault on the state’s open government laws, Franklin again stepped into the fray, encouraging his fellow editors to set aside their competitive nature for a day and join together to defend the public’s right to know. By 2005, “Sunshine Sunday” had grown from a one-day Florida effort into a week-long national push. In addition, new organizations formed to advocate for open government at state and federal levels.

Now, as then, journalists tend to lead the call to preserve the public’s right to know. Yet laws on open government are for all citizens, a fact reflected in the Montana Freedom of Information Hotline’s usage in recent years. In 2010, more than half of all the calls to the Hotline came from newspaper reporters. But fully one-third came from non-journalists concerned about their access to records, meetings and public process.

Another trend: the vast amount of Hotline calls involve questions or concerns with local governments—cities, towns, counties, school districts, local law enforcement and assorted local government boards. In other words, governing entities that are closest to citizens and, theoretically, most available to them.

On the positive side, cities, counties, school districts and district courts received high marks in Montana’s 2003 Public Records Audit. Some local governments have sought public access training for their employees. And the Montana Association of Counties includes a review of open government laws in its orientation of newly-elected officials.

Even so, it’s appropriate to take time each year to advise citizens about their rights and remind government about its responsibilities.

And to thank Florida for a good idea.

The Hotline offers free, over-the-phone advice on open government issues through the Meloy Law Firm of Helena; phone number is 442-8670.

Letters to the Editor

Leaders should lead by example

Dear Editor,

Is the United States of America in rocky shape? I think we all know the answer to that. Of course we are. We owe trillions. We have high unemployment. Wall Street worked its magic to put the country in a form of bankruptcy. The banks and insurance companies conspired to make huge profits for themselves and failed to take care of their customers. People became greedy. They thought the real estate bubble would never burst. It is difficult to find someone who did not contribute to our rocky condition.

I went to the grocery with my wife the other day. We were shopping for a few things she needed for a new entree she was going to make. She needed a green pepper. When we found one it was two for three dollars. Imagine, a dollar and a half for a green pepper. I’ll bet the grower didn’t get five cents for that green pepper. I think we purchased five items that fit in one small plastic bag for thirty-three dollars and forty-seven cents. Are we in rocky shape?

The politicians from Washington DC to all the state capitols have been espousing that we will have to bite the bullet, tighten our belts, hang tough, be willing to take cuts in benefits and everyone will have to give up a little if we were ever going to get on the rosy road of high employment. I agree, those are things we will have to do. I lived through the Great Depression; if you wanted to survive you had to learn to do without, and to give up some things if you were to survive.

My family and I are willing to give up some things to help get the country over the mountain of debt we find ourselves in. I think a lot of little guys are willing to make the sacrifice to help the country dig itself out of the hole.

We have elected people in DC and all the states serving as our alleged leaders. They have great salaries, wonderful benefits, fantastic medical care, and can look forward to unbelievable pensions. I’ve been listening carefully, but I haven’t heard one of them stand up and say, "I’m an elected leader. I’m going to lead by example: take a ten percent cut in pay, give up my wonderful medical coverage and go on Medicaid, refuse my pension and go on Social Security like all the poor peons who are paying taxes to support my exalted position.”

Governor Brian Schweitzer went way up in my estimation when he led the way with an $11,000 reduction in his salary. He’s a leader and that’s what leaders do; they participate in the problem, and show the way to the solution. I heard them say they are freezing salaries in Washington. I didn’t hear them say they are reducing their salaries to help the situation. If you are requiring the $40,000 family to give, the millionaires should be stepping up to the offering plate to drop in a few of their gold coins.

Is it easier for a $40,000 family to give up ten percent or for a multi-millionaire family to give up ten percent? The $40,000 family might have to give up meat a couple of days a week and keep the thermostat at 55°. The millionaire would not need to give up a thing. If we are going to ask for sacrifice we should ask everyone to participate according to their ability.

If you are going to talk the talk — be prepared to walk the walk.

John W. Robinson
Corvallis

Reality check?

Dear Editor,

It seems every day in the news gets crazier and crazier to me. The governor of Wisconsin closing the doors of the capital building, the budget to keep our own government functioning, vetoed, passage of a bill to carry arms on our persons everywhere we go, the economy which completely ignores the cost of war (multiple billions per day), all the hatred of Democrats, Republicans, Environmentalists, Tea Partiers, homos, homeless, children, women, schools, guns, medical marijuana, assisted suicide, other people’s churches, religions… I’m naming this era, not the Great Depression, but the Great Anxiety, or maybe, the Great Hopelessness.

I am so tired of hearing from people who want to dismantle our government because they don’t want to pay taxes. Really? Do you honestly think not paying taxes is an answer to anything? Get over yourselves, please, or go live somewhere else... this is not Survivor, for goodness sake.

No nation can exist without taxes. And, honestly, we pay very little for what we get in return… police, firemen, social security, pensions, homes, roads, parks, jails, freedom to say, think, express ourselves, go anywhere we want, vote, be represented and even… take back our nation of great ideas, solutions, promise for the future generations.

I don’t think we have to throw away everything… just the things that hurt our population. We need a government for the people, by the people. We don’t need a fascist regime of hateful, spiteful, dead-enders running anything. When did we become our own worst enemies?

Let’s not wait and wake up one day and realize we don’t have a government anymore, we don’t have law enforcement anymore, we don’t have a country anymore… we will just have a bunch of bullies and thugs running around bullying and ‘thugging’ everyone to death. The Wild West is going to look mild in comparison to what will happen to all of us without water, electricity, roads, schools, jobs or homes. Is it important to not pay taxes so much so that we think we need nothing from an organized, helpful, hopeful, kind and generous government?

A good friend and I were bemoaning the state of the country, he had a good idea… he’s headed into political service and he’s going to try to help, he’s not sure how yet, but with that attitude, he just may. I am hoping, praying and doing a dance for him… and you and me to be able to do the same.

Celia Grohmann
Stevensville

Thanks from Darby Bread Box

Dear Editor,

Recently, on March 2nd, Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital presented us (Darby Bread Box) with 980 pounds of food plus cash donations as part of their annual food drive. We cannot thank them enough for including us as one of the food pantries they gave food to that had been so generously donated by hospital employees and the local public.

We also received 190 pounds of food from the Hamilton Golf Course as a result from their food drive and we want to give them a big thank you!

We opened our pantry doors a little over a year ago and have been successful in helping over 200 families in need of food. We could not have done this without the help of many volunteers and support from many local organizations, businesses, and local citizens. Over 67,000 pounds of food was donated in 2010. 76,800 pounds was given out. Only a fraction of that food had to be purchased, thanks to donations by so many. Thanksgiving and Christmas food boxes were given out. We thank, once again, those local residents and Eagle 93 radio station for donating the turkeys.

Starting out the new 2011 year, our shelves are full and volunteers ready to serve those families in need. We thank our volunteers for their continued support and help. We have already served over 100 families for January and February. We are located at 206 East Tanner St., Darby.

Patty Conn
The Darby Bread Box

Vital program defunded

Dear Editor,

In 1998, Montana joined 45 other states in enacting the Master Settlement Agreement with the nation’s largest tobacco companies. 32 percent of compensation collected from the tobacco industry was designated by Montana’s Legislature to be spent on tobacco disease prevention and tobacco use prevention education. Hamilton Montana’s Tobacco Use Prevention Program receives a tiny portion of these settlement funds, employing them successfully in its mission to educate our youth in the health hazards inherent with tobacco use. Hamilton’s program does not receive any taxpayer financing. It’s funded entirely by the tobacco companies under terms of their settlement agreement with the State of Montana.

In their zealous effort to fund the state’s budget, Montana legislators have apparently targeted these funds for other purposes. This is at best unethical, and defies the spirit of the Tobacco Settlement. These Settlement funds were specifically designated for vital tobacco use prevention and education, nothing else.

Reportedly led by State Senators Don Roberts of Billings, Dave Lewis of Helena and Jason Priest of Red Lodge, their committees seem bent on stripping the Tobacco Use Prevention Program of its funding. In Montana’s House of Representatives, legislators Tom Burnett of Bozeman and John Esp of Big Timber are on a similar tack.

Passed by a 65 percent majority of voters in 2002, ballot measure I-146 established a tobacco disease prevention special revenue account to fund the MT Tobacco Use Prevention Program. Voters spoke clearly and decisively! They have every right to expect that tobacco settlement funds be used only for their designated purpose.

Paula Wood, Program Director
MT Tobacco Use Prevention Program
Hamilton

How funny is it?

Dear Editor,

I read with amusement the article on the Feb. 26 Lincoln/Reagan Luncheon that was sponsored by the Ravalli County Republican Central Committee. The story mentioned that "a skit recreating Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi handing the gavel to Speaker John Boehner was performed."

Boy, I bet that performance brought the house down. Those cwazy, wacky Wepublicans . . . they are sooo funny. Look at their conservative mouthpiece Glenn Beck. People start laughing the minute he opens his mouth.

I don't know how the poor, comedy-challenged Democrats can retaliate when they next host their County gathering. Perhaps they could have a Mike Huckabee impersonator point out on a world map where exactly President Obama grew up. Let's see, was it Kenya, Indonesia, Hawaii or the South side of Chicago?

Or maybe a Denny Rehberg mummer could demonstrate the dangers of imbibing too much alcohol while horseback riding or speed boating. A Jim Shockley clone could emcee this presentation. I suspect most socially-conscious Democrats will find that these routines aren't really that funny.

Jim Hamilton
Florence

Why should we pay for their transmission lines?

Dear Editor,

Last December the federal government decided that the Montana Dakota Utility customers can help pay for transmission lines in other states that deliver no power to Montanans. Now the Republican-led legislature wants to make that easier (HB 198) by granting the right of condemnation (eminent domain) to developers in eastern Montana that will ship wind power to states with problems meeting their self imposed Renewable Energy Mandates. Yes, you will receive no power from these lines but the costs will show up on your MDU bill. If you are a NorthWesten Energy customer, don’t laugh. The head of the federal energy commission recently announced he wants to do the same thing to you.

Gov. Schweitzer has his own energy advisors that know of this, yet pushes the legislature to get HB 198 on his desk as soon as possible. The PSC has held many sessions on what to do about this to protect Montana consumers, yet PSC Commissioner Molnar is the only one to raise the issue at the legislature.

One commissioner cannot protect you. You must protect yourself. Regardless of the supplier of your electricity, or if you are a co-op served land owner, you should call 406-444-4800 and email your Representative and Senator and tell them of your displeasure of being used as a funding source (through HB 198) for other states’ decisions.

Jennifer Olsen
Billings

Opposed to cutting critical services

Dear Editor,

As president of Pantry Partners Food Bank in Stevensville, I an very concerned with the careless disregard our legislators have for those less fortunate. Are we not judged as a nation by how we treat our fellow citizens who are in need?

Cutting funds for programs that assist those in need will seriously hamper the ability for organizations to provide much needed services such as WIC, Food Stamps, and Meals on Wheels to name a few. By cutting these programs it will impact local food banks as we see the need for food assistance increase.

At Pantry Partners our board believes in "A hand up, not a hand out." Is it so unreasonable to expect our elected officials to take the time to visit any of the organizations that provide services to those less fortunate to see first hand the effect their decisions will have? "A hand up, not a hand out" could be something our legislators could consider as they debate which programs to cut. Thank you.

Kathy Belke, Chair
Pantry Partners Food Bank Board of the Directors

Early Head Start provides vital support

Dear Editor,

Given all the recent reports of our struggling economy, unemployment, rising fuel costs, and budget cuts, I pause to think about struggles faced by families affected by the downturn of the economy. During difficult economic times parents are forced to make hard decisions. For families with young children, finding quality affordable childcare can be a daunting task. Due to rising fuel costs parents struggle getting children to necessary appointments such as the doctor. As you can imagine getting their children to extra educational experiences such as story hour at the local library, play groups or mom’s groups may be eliminated.

Ravalli Early Head Start (REHS) works to address all of these issues with families. Ravalli Early Head Start is a no cost program available to low income residents of Ravalli County. REHS opened in the spring of 2010 and serves pregnant women and families with children ages 0-3 years. Three program options are available: Prenatal, Home Based, and Center Based.

As a Case Manager in our Home Based program I’ve seen firsthand the struggles families face due to the downturn in the economy. I am able to connect families with resources in the community to address issues such as fuel and housing assistance. I am able to visit children and their families for 1-1/2 hours per week in the comfort of their home to provide the extra educational experiences; this eliminates the need for families to transport themselves and incur extra fuel expenses. Parents set goals for their children and I’m able to provide them with developmentally appropriate activities as well as child development information.

REHS also provides high quality no cost childcare to families who are working or in school or a combination of both for thirty or more hours per week. The Center Based program reduces or eliminates a family’s childcare expenses depending on their work/school schedule. Trained staff provides children with quality nurturing experiences. While children are in childcare, nutritious meals, as well as diapers and wipes, are provided, reducing some of the family’s daily expenses.

While the obstacles of quality low cost childcare and rising fuel costs can be overwhelming, REHS is here to help. If you know families you think may qualify please share our information. If you think your family may qualify, please call 363-7412 x 203 for an application.

Chrissy Piscopo, Case Manager
Ravalli Early Head Start

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