Wednesday April 13, 2011

Opinion & Editorial

by Laurie Jakober, Darby

In response to Ed Wetstzeon, Mike Stark, and Elizabeth Kaleva, the Darby School lawyer:
It seems too well timed to have my complaints published without my consent and then have the school lawyer publish my name, again without my consent, and connect me to the content of this “Ed” letter. I have never seen a school lawyer respond so vehemently, so quickly and with such detail to an obscure “letter to the editor.” I find that interesting. I do know that this and more began shortly after I called the district business manager, notifying her of my intent to run for election to the school board. This has been nothing more than a vicious attack in a deliberate smear campaign that was well planned and intentionally carried out. I assumed Ed Wetstzeon was real and ignored his letter. Apparently it didn’t receive the attention that the elusive writer or writers wanted it to have. Kaleva and Stark have fixed that. I find that interesting.
Regarding Mr. Loyd Rennaker, I have a great deal of respect for him personally and professionally. He is gifted when working with and teaching students. He has been and continues to be an excellent football and basketball coach for my son. I currently list him as a reference on my resume and applications. Why would I list him as a reference and then trash his name in the paper?
About the Stark letter: Mike Stark is the husband of the Darby school board chair. He should have stated so in his letter. I agree with Mr. Stark. It is cowardly to hide behind a baldfaced lie and fake identity.
Regarding the letter by Kaleva: I do not believe that anyone was convinced of the identity of “Ed’s parent” until Kaleva, without my consent, published my name in her opinion. I find that interesting. Kaleva claims that I, Laurie Jakober, am the only person who could have disseminated the information. Not true. Mr. Tim Bronk, the superintendent of Darby Schools, Kaleva, and all the board members (and probably their spouses) are familiar with my complaints. Some complaints have been discussed publicly in the community for quite awhile. When something happens in front of twenty students it is extremely hard to keep it from spreading through a small community. Still, few were aware that I had filed formal complaints. Bronk, Kaleva, and Dixie Stark, the school board chair, were. I find that very interesting.
Kaleva uses the phrases, “unfounded allegations” and “false information” within her letter. I have over 140 pages of evidence and documentation to substantiate my complaints. They are not unfounded but true. Kaleva is desperate to defend and justify Mr. Bronk’s decision to withhold several complaints from the school board. Yet, Mike Stark states I’ve had my hearing. Who is lying? Better yet - who cares?
Kaleva has used my name without permission to harm my reputation within weeks of the school board election. I agree, the students and staff at Darby deserve better.
Ed writes that a “school employee physically assaulted a student.” That is true. In October 2009, a school staff member physically grabbed a student from behind while class was in session. My son was a student in that class. After another incident where my son was abused in December 2010, I filed a complaint. The superintendent, Mr. Tim Bronk, refused to forward this complaint to the board. I appeared before the board in February anyway and Mr. Eric Abrahamsen refused to allow me to speak. You would think a school board would want to know if a staff member is violent towards students. Apparently the current Darby school board doesn’t want to address this and does not care. I have never had my hearing. The February board meeting minutes on the school website will support this. This abusive staff member is still employed at Darby and working with children. I’m afraid for the safety of my son. Although this incident is common knowledge within the community, unlike the school lawyer, I feel it would be grossly unethical to publish the staff’s name.
A complaint not addressed by Ed, but referenced by Mike Stark, is as follows: it is the only complaint heard by the Darby school board. The 2010 HS/JH Holiday concert contained only “Christian” and “Santa themed” music. Given the recent history of the Darby school’s deliberate attempt to place Christian biblical creation into the curriculum, I became concerned. I filed a complaint with Jennifer Burdette, the principal. She responded she would “consider” my request but adamantly refused to require religious diversity. She then wrote, regarding another issue, that if I directed my children not to speak to her, “they will be subject to disciplinary action according to Montana law.” This is not the kind of administrator that I want interacting with my children. I forwarded the complaint to Mr. Bronk. I requested an appeal before the board. At the March board meeting, Mr. Coby Smith made the motion to reject my complaint and the Darby school board voted to refuse to ensure religious diversity within the holiday concert. I believe that’s wrong.
I’m a Christian myself. At no time has my faith required the exclusion of others. I proudly served my country for four years in the U.S. military. I fought for the preservation of freedom, especially religious freedom. When I saw problems at the school I reported them. I foolishly thought the administration and school board would want to be informed. I was wrong. Instead, I have been publicly defamed by some anonymous individuals. Who has motive?
Remember, all of this occurred shortly after I notified the district of my intent to run for election. That’s not all. Ed writes that I have coordinated an annual student yard sale. That is true. We’ve raised over $8000 for athletes to attend summer camps. Within the past week, Mr. Tim Bronk has refused to allow me to use any school property for this annual fundraiser. This hurts the kids. I am the editor/publisher of the Darby Community Calendar. Last year, with the help of fourteen Darby businesses we raised $900 and awarded the money in a grant to a Darby teacher. We have maintained a cooperative agreement with the school for seven years regarding the use of the school copier. We bring our own paper and use the copy equipment for about 30 minutes each month. In the past week, Mr. Bronk has refused to allow the calendar group access to the high school copier and labeled it a personal project of mine. Also in the past week, Mr. Bronk has threatened me with law enforcement if I fail to “sign in” when I visit the school. This is not the kind of administrator that I want interacting with my children. Who is the mysterious Mr. Ed Wetstzeon? I wonder.
I will show Burdette’s and Bronk’s letters to anyone who asks to see them. It’s not libel if it’s true. I blame the administration, the board and the notorious school lawyer for this hurtful and cruel attack on my person. While it is unknown who wrote the letter I know in my heart who is behind this.
I am a proud parent first but also a licensed Montana teacher. This attack may have a negative impact on my career and I will probably lose the school election. It was worth it.
Despite the incessant immaturity of the administrator, Darby has some of the finest teachers in the valley. The small class size is a definite advantage. My daughter will graduate valedictorian this year. My son will continue to attend because I want him to benefit from the dedicated teaching staff. The coaching is excellent and the students are simply amazing. I believe, as Ed does, that Darby has the potential to be the best school in the valley. Most of the school staff truly prove their excellence on a daily basis. This fraudulent letter did little damage to the school image until Kaleva and Stark chose to give it unwarranted attention. Why didn’t they focus on something positive? Hmmm, I think I smell a backfire. Still, since we’re choosing aliases here I’d like mine to be “Tater Salad.”.

Rationale for Hamilton levy request

Dear Editor,

The Hamilton School Board of Trustees has elected to put a Technology levy request on the ballot for the annual School Election on May 3, 2011. Also on the ballot will be three open trustee positions. The three candidates will be vying for two, three year positions. The candidates are Nancy Ballance, Jerry Jesse and Jim Shea.
The Technology Acquisition and Depreciation Levy would provide financial support for the Hamilton district’s technology program. In the 21st Century, technology imbedded in the curriculum is the new basic. Critical curriculum areas such as math, science, writing, and reading have web-based components built into the instructional delivery system. Annual license fees to ensure connectivity exceed $90,000 each year. Software licenses include Microsoft, education and community supports, library, business, attendance, World Book, Meal Tracker, maintenance, network fees, anti-virus, and Surf Control. The later protects our students’ from the negative aspects of the internet.
The economic output of the United States has changed dramatically over the past 40 years. In 1967, the production of material goods accounted for 54% of the US economic output. Today, development of information products, such as computers, and the delivery of information services account for 63% of the economy. As the economy continues to shift from an industrial economy to a service economy driven by information, knowledge, and innovation, providing technology education for our students is vital to their, and our, economic success. It is the responsibility of the school system, working in partnership with the local community, to produce graduates capable of filling the emerging job sectors and pursuing post secondary educational opportunities. As the nation emerges from the recession, manufacturing jobs are requiring higher level skills in technology, math and reading. Workers are being retrained to fill these positions. The Hamilton teachers need the tools to prepare graduates for this emerging economy. Last year, Hamilton High School had a graduation rate of 98%. Seventy-five percent of our graduates went on to post secondary schooling or training. An additional eight students joined the military. Technology literacy plays a critical role in continuing this success.
The district is requesting a Technology levy in the amount of $235,000. On property with a taxable value of $100,000, the increase in tax would be about $15.50 a year. If approved, this amount would be levied each year. The funds would pay for the annual licensing fees and put the district on a five year rotation for computers and other hardware.
The School Board voted unanimously to place the Technology Acquisition Levy request before the voters. This year, for the first time, the election will be by mail-in ballot. Ballots will be mailed to all registered voters on April 18, 2011. Ballots must be returned by 8:00 p.m. on May 3, 2011. Voters may return the voted ballot by mail or place in the ballot box at the Ravalli County Elections Office at 215 South 4th Street beginning April 19, 2011 through May 3, 2011. A ballot box will be available at Hamilton High School, 327 Fairgrounds Road on May 3 only. Ballots must be received by 8:00 p.m. on May 3, 2011, to be counted.

Duby Santee, Superintendent
Hamilton School District 3

A greater threat

Dear Editor,

How interesting that so many people in Western Montana bought potassium iodide pills because extremely low levels of radiation from Japan reached the shore of California. Potassium iodide is quite dangerous to take and should not be used unless you get a high radiation exposure.
Where was all that concern about radiation when the Ravalli Republic ran an article in 1994 telling people to keep their children out of the sun because of extremely high ultraviolet radiation reaching the earth at that time? It fried you like a ‘weenie in a microwave’ according to a Canadian scientist. People did not keep their children out of the sun and ten years later, many teenagers and young adults began dying of skin cancer.
I have given the Ravalli County Commissioners, the Ravalli County Board of Health and other officials, including the Governor’s Office yearly data showing a high prevalence of symptoms (over 50% in examined samples of several mammal species) consistent with thyroid hormone disruption. With a high prevalence in both wild and domestic mammals and in wild birds, it seems reasonable to assume that thousands of young do not survive to be born/hatched or die soon after birth because of their severe symptoms. Additionally, many people in Western Montana have hypothyroidism or other thyroid problems and there is much more cancer here than there should be with no big pollution spewing factories. Has anyone done anything to find out why?

Joan Melcher wrote three stories about the continuing animal health problems, published online in the science magazine, Miller-McCune. Did anyone read them? Most people have had complete disregard for the scientifically collected evidence of severe thyroid hormone disruption.

So my question is, why are you all panicking over a miniscule amount of radiation that may not even come here?

Judy Hoy
Stevensville

Support for Darby School

Dear Editor,

I’m responding to a letter in your paper on March 23, written by Ed Wetstzeon regarding Darby School. I was stunned by the absolute ignorance and malice projected in this letter. It can only be hoped that in making such strong, ugly accusations against some very fine people, a person would take the time to get truthful answers, instead of malicious twittering. It was people like yourself and your concerned parent that would’ve been responsible for burning supposed witches at the stake in Salem.

Darby is a good school. It has its struggles, every school in the valley does in this economic climate, but not with the staff. The people there are caring, compassionate, hardworking and dedicated. These individuals go above and beyond what’s expected on a daily basis to help our students be successful. There is a unified effort in producing disciplined, well educated productive young people.

My heart goes out to you, Mr. Ed Wetstzeon, for your narrow tunnel vision. This community is blessed to have Darby School, its dedicated staff, the many parents who constantly give of their time for fundraisers, mentoring, chaperoning, and so much more.

The Evers have been in Darby School for many, many years and personally my daughter did well and received a well-rounded education. Thank you, Darby, for everything you did, are doing, and will continue to do for many years.

Karen Evers
Darby

Those with gay agenda march on

Dear Editor,

The history of the gay agenda in reference to the Missoula City Discrimination ordinance, both in Missoula and in the State Legislature, is one of clear contrasts.

First Contrast:

Kris Hansen’s great courage in face of threats to personal and family safety is inspiring. Those of us resisting the gay agenda have long known how vicious and hateful the homosexual community and their supporters are. If you think they hate those of us standing for family values, values that have stood this nation in good stead for hundreds of years, you should see what happens when one of the homosexuals come out of that lifestyle. The hate and threats they get are horrendous and that is why you don’t hear from the hundreds in Montana that have made that move. That is one reason the media is in denial that ex-gays even exist.

Contrast that with the lily-livered Senators in face of revealing to the Montana voter what their position is on HB 516. Why not be fair to the supporters of HB 516? Could it be that someone in the leadership has compromised their moral positions and are afraid of being outed, or could it be that they are just not willing to show the voters where they stand on the issue? I thought the 44 Senators that voted to send the bill back to committee did so because there was no discussion and they didn’t know the leadership wanted to kill the bill. I have found out differently. They knew and willingly participated in this unfair action.

A former Montana Legislator reported that many of the legislators go to Helena to get away from their family and wives so they can party and many compromise the principles the voters think they stand for which would create a problem for them if they voted the wrong way on any gay agenda issue.

Second Contrast:

Take a look at how the media treats the different sides of issues that affect the gay agenda.

If the tables were turned and this was the LGBT’s bill and they were cheated out of a fair up and down vote there would be headlines all across the state of “discrimination” and “unfair treatment” for weeks and the threats would increase.

Supporters of HB 516 got no recognition of the unfair treatment by the Senate in the media. In fact it was like we weren’t even here and the media breathed a sigh of relief that the gay agenda won. The two TV news stations in Missoula, for example, didn’t even acknowledge that there were supporters and gave no quarter to them in their news casts reporting the action of the weak kneed Senate even though they claim to be “fair” and “accurate.”

Third Contrast:

Out of all the tens of thousands of voters in Missoula, 10 people voted for the discrimination ordinance. The others were denied a vote, yet it was pushed as a “popular ordinance” solely because there was a “good debate.” It is interesting that most of those “debating” were from outside the city, many from outside the state.

On the other hand, out of a possible 20 votes in the first committee, 17 voted for it. Out of a possible 100 Representatives, 62 voted for it. Out of a possible 9 votes in the next committee, 5 voted for it. Then we have the wimps in the Senate. Thankfully there were four Senators who voted to shine the light on their positions and have the bill remain for a debate and an honest vote. That took courage.

Then there are the similarities:

When you compare how the Missoula City voter was cheated out of a Constitutional right to vote by shenanigans pulled by the City Attorney with the fact that the Senate denied the right for the supporters to have an up or down vote on HB 516, you see that corruption and cover up is alive and well in Missoula and the Montana Senate leadership.

All we ask for is a fair up and down vote so the voting public knows where our Senators stand. We ask the Senators to buck up and not be cowards on this issue. Make a stand for the record and dismiss all the flawed reasoning you have for not being open and honest.

Dallas D. Erickson
Montana Citizens for Decency through Law
Stevensville

Lots of questions

Dear Editor,

Why is there so much hate for government? Should every sovereign citizen have to build his own road? Perhaps we could do without roads by inventing hovercraft. But without government-funded education, could we learn enough math and physics to make a personal flying machine? How many of you could home school your children well enough for them to become proficient engineers?

Perhaps we don’t need police enforcing all these laws imposed by government. Laws are the real problem. There are ever more laws telling me how fast I can drive, that I must have insurance, where I can ride my motor toys. Why do we need to pay for police, when we have all you brave patriots armed and eager to lethally defend us from some nutcase with a gun?

Especially onerous and stupid are the zillions of game laws. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is worst of all, always issuing more regulations on what I can shoot when. Getting rid of all those biologists would help balance the budget and take us back to the good old days of robust deer and elk populations, like we had in the 1950s.

Do we really need Border Patrol, air traffic controllers, and the skilled people to manage our rangelands, forests, and parks? Oh, right, I forgot, we should turn all public land over to the private sector. You say government shouldn’t own land, and that private citizens (patriots like us) can best manage the land. Shouldn’t every person in a true democracy have the right to own any land that he, or she, can buy or inherit, and to graze it down to the dirt, if that’s what they want.

At a fund raising rally during his campaign for re-election, I heard a fellow loudly proclaim his intention to reduce government. He wanted me to live under less laws, so he could do more of what he wanted (like ride his motor toys anywhere, carry any kind of weapon anywhere, build anything anywhere, dig a mine anywhere, etc.). However, he wasn’t entirely consistent. He also wanted more regulation on women’s reproductive rights, what I can smoke, and whom I can marry.

Before we can have less government, we must learn to live responsibly, and we have proven incapable of that. We don’t deserve the freedom we already have. We can’t be allowed to ride motorbikes in the mountains anywhere that looks like fun. We can’t drive fast in a school zone. We can’t build a casino next to a school; but without laws, folks would do all those things. Until everyone drives within the speed limit and stops poaching game, we will need cops and wardens, and taxes to pay for them.

By the way, wasn’t there some early gun control in the American wild west, when a town marshal (and the citizens) got fed up with all the shooting by patriots packing guns into the bars? Weren’t those patriots? How can we tell the difference between a true patriot and a gun nut?

William H. Thompson
Hamilton

Support for education funding

Dear Editor,

Africa! It certainly has our attention lately. People fighting for basic rights and freedom. Back in December, several of my friends and I sponsored a woman in the Congo for one year. What do they do with our sponsorship? They use our support to empower her through education.

They teach her to read, write and give her job skills. So why is Montana, a developed state in a developed nation, threatening huge cuts to K-12 education and slashing $32 million from the Higher Education Budget? Education is a step forward toward opportunity. I live in a state that I hope will invest in the future of its people - especially the next generation.  

Higher Education is the next step forward. 63% of jobs in Montana will require some type of college education in the next decade. If we take our children who are now adults to this step - 70% of the graduates from Montana University Systems are employed in Montana within one year of graduation.

So, please put the money back in education - for the economy, the jobs and the future of Montana!

Terry Ruggles
Darby

Re: Budget choices in Helena

Dear Editor,

I am appalled at the bills traveling through our legislature. A majority seem to be pointing fingers at the voting public and saying, “No!” From reproductive rights, medical care for children, intimate partnering, relationships with medical providers, LIEAP, food stamps, and public school directives to family planning, and WIC. The tone of the bills is “Thou shalt not!” and I find it insulting and alarming. As a long-time social worker in this state I've seen what happens to communities without sufficient funding for basic services: alcoholism, drug use, chronic disease, violence and plummeting school enrollments.

How can they vote to remove $26 million from Healthy Montana Kids? These are the very funds Montanan's overwhelmingly approved in 2008. That was a bare bones program to begin with, and now we face thousands of Montana children going without antibiotics, without diagnosis for chronic diseases, suffering earaches and toothaches and blurred vision in the classroom without recourse. How demoralizing for parents. The take home message to the kids? “Adults don't care. I'm expendable.”

How dare an elite group in Helena prevent local municipalities from creating policies that protect their own community members? (HB 516) Does this mean the city of Helena cannot create laws to protect the safety of, say, the folks that are blind who attend residential training in their community? Passing blanket “Thou Shalt Not” legislation that actually censors specific groups is not the way of my country.

And no voting without a driver’s license or a state ID? (HB 152) Where would the civil rights movement be if that were the rule? When's the last time they checked into the cost of a driver’s license? It's $40. Not everyone drives, surprisingly. And just this week I helped two teens to get their birth certificates for state ID's, but their families cannot afford the costs.

Did the legislators really comprehend that of the 27,731 Montanans served by family planning clinics in 2010, 85% were below 250% of the poverty level and qualified for reduced fees? Is Public Health funded to take on those numbers because the other clinics are closed down? Are they putting aside funds to deal with the increased teen pregnancies that are bound to result, so those children have adequate medical, educational and basic nutritional support in the next five years? Are they ready to underwrite hospitals when all these under-served folks use emergency services and then cannot pay their medical bills? Don't they believe the well-researched national figure that for every public dollar invested in family planning, taxpayers save nearly $4?

These bills making their way through our legislature have a cascading effect for years to come. In twenty-five years of social work I'm now working with second- and third-generation children who have never had full time working adults in their lives. I'm seeing children whose parents are incapable of parenting, even cooking meals, because of alcoholism and depression. Our neighbors are us, and we all need “Yes!” legislation. Yes to supporting children, yes to diverse life choices, yes to healthcare from before birth to our last days.

Where will the revenue come from? Apparently we're in the black, folks. And we have the capacity to tax folks who live in their multi-million dollar homes three months out of the year; we have the power to tax industry as do other states. Above all, we have the ingenuity and the resources to create a thriving alternative energy industry that will create jobs, revenue and excitement by saying “Yes we can!”

We have a group in Helena that espouses less government, but these “NO!” bills bring government right into our homes, healthcare, nutrition, small businesses, and free choices. They are severely disrupting what was once a thriving state economy. We simply can't afford to let them stay.

Star Jameson
Hamilton

Farm subsidy program unfair

Dear Editor,

Molly Severtson's guest column on March 21 in the Missoulian should be an eye opener to every taxpayer in the country. The Federal Farm Subsidy program spends billions of dollars each year which has the direct effect of transferring income (direct payments) from the general taxpayers to farm owners. These direct payments go out to farmers and landowners even if crop prices and farm prices are getting record highs or even if the recipient plants no crops at all. What was probably a worthy program, conceived during the Great Depression to help struggling farmers, has become another welfare program. 

The agricultural industry, with 1200 registered lobbyists in Washington, spends about $133 million a year to make sure the subsidies keep flowing. Over the years, the farm subsidy program has been revised but unfortunately only to benefit the recipients even more. 

Ms. Severtson had a point when referring to the report that identifies 33 current Montana legislators who benefited from farm subsidy programs from 1995-2009. Every taxpayer should be concerned enough to google EWG Farm subsidy data base which is loaded with information and the names and dollar amounts people, including legislators, have received. Many times a true recipient's name is not the "ranch" name so keep this in mind when searching, e.g. Senator Tester is T-Bone Farms. I see "farmers" on the list that have not touched a drop of dirt in 20 years but still receive a direct payment of $25,000-$60,000 or more each year from the taxpayers. Many of these recipients (I'm sure they laugh all the way to the bank) are not even actively engaged in farming! How nice that would be to receive that nice bonus check each year!

Don't get me wrong, I was raised on a farm and I have true respect for the hard working rancher/farmer trying to make ends meet, but I also have the same respect for other laborers such as builders, mechanics, plumbers and all the other hardworking people who are trying to make ends meet. Who is giving these people direct payments to subsidize their income in these trying times? 

Payments of farm subsidies are based on ancient production formulas. I am sure there are some good things in the farm subsidy programs that need retaining to assure that we always have enough to eat, but there are long standing questions on the overall effectiveness and cost to taxpayers and consumers. As a taxpayer please become informed. Write to your senators and legislators about the farm subsidy program.

Barb Pepprock
Stevensville

Re: death penalty

Dear Editor,

With all due respect to the good Father Darragh’s reference to Scripture in opposing the death penalty in the March 30 issue of the Star, I submit some Scripture he may have overlooked, or chosen to ignore. He is a learned man of the cloth and I recognize he must follow the teaching of his Church, and his heart.

Not being a Bible scholar myself, or even a good thumper, I may need some explanation for the following bits of Scripture, which seem abundantly clear to me albeit rather severe for the infraction.

Moses dropped down off the mountain with the Ten Commandments, one being, “Thou shall not kill.” He later addressed some of the laws about, ‘Murder and Strife’ as given to him by The Big Guy, and reported in my King James edition of the Holy Bible. I do not intend to get into a Scripture war with the good Padre, as I would surely lose, but here are some chapter and verse to ponder, especially for those who take the Bible literally.

Exodus 21:12 “And he that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.”  

Exodus 21:15 “And he that smiteth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death.”

Exodus 21:17 “And he that curseth his father or his mother, shall surely be put to death.”

The Lord also, “spake unto Moses saying, whosoever doeth any work in the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.” (Exodus 31:15. ) I am surprised there are any live farmers and ranchers left in the Bitterroot under these conditions.

Scripture can be referenced and interpreted as seen fit by those who view it from different directions. The death penalty before the Montana Legislature is no exception. I continue to support retaining the death penalty in Montana. But not for working on Sunday, or cursing your old dad, if necessary.

Dave Hurtt
Florence

Americans want budget cuts

Dear Editor,

Should Senate liberals continue their obvious, politically motivated, lack of interest in controlling spending cuts via current discussions on this fiscal year's budget, then it is justifiable to blame Senate liberals for shutting down the government based upon:

1. The American electorate demonstrated in the last election that it is necessary to get the liberals' attention about controlling unbridled spending,

2. House conservatives owe the American electorate and should definitely demonstrate that they are in control - by honoring that American electorate demonstration,

3. If conservatives don't stand up to the liberals' spending now, what chance will they have with significantly reducing spending in next fiscal year's budget? and

4. As fiscally responsible Americans know, our country must make very significant cuts in Obama's continuing plan of spending as usual - as demonstrated by his next fiscal year's budget.

Significant future entitlement cuts must be considered in any budget plans!

Jerry Haslip
Victor

Top 10 reasons to start over

Dear Editor,

During the past 2 months, Ravalli County has seen one misstep after another in the hiring process of the Planning Director, now called the Office Manager/Administrator.  The public deserves better.

Here are my top 10 arguments for the public to demand that the Commissioners start fresh with a revised job description and vacancy announcement:

1) The Ravalli County Commissioners (RCC) had no public input into the redefinition of the County Planning Director position and the vacancy announcement.

2) The RCC broke the law when they did not give 48 hours notice.  To have this called an "administrative error" is baloney.

3) The RCC broke the law when they divulged confidential information which John Lavey provided.  Both Matt and Suzy broke the law of privacy protected in MCA 2-2-203 Another potential lawsuit.

4) The RCC did not use any objective point ranking system to determine the most qualified person.

5) Dianna Broadie, the other candidate for the position has a BA in Planning Studies from the University of WA, ~ 20 years of professional planning experience, and has the highest professional certification from the AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners)

6) The advertising for the position was not done in the Montana state professional journals let alone nation journals and therefore was not broad enough to get visibility into the professional planning community.

7) If an under qualified male is selected over a far more qualified woman, the Ravalli County Commissioners have a potential discrimination lawsuit.

8) Until (and to perhaps avoid more FOI requests) the public has full opportunity to see the requested FOI documents there may additional issues that arise of incompetence, mishandling, and cronyism in this matter.  

9) The commissioners have not followed what they themselves wrote as their own criteria of preferred education and experience in evaluating the candidates that among other things would result in a professionally trained planner being hired that will protect Ravalli County's interests from law suits and another debacle.

10) In mishandling and politicizing the hiring process, two of the four candidates have withdrawn from consideration.  By creating such a "hostile" environment, a professional planner would think twice about coming to Ravalli County.

Commissioners, please do what’s best for Ravalli County – start over and get it right.

Lee Tickell
Hamilton

Central Committee’s job

Dear Editor,

Mr. Morrisey, your statement that our Republican Chair “permitted” Mary Hudson-Smith to run for Treasurer was incorrect. Central Committees have no say in who does, or does not run for office. If you want to know what a Central Committee’s job is, let me know. I’d be happy to get together to explain it to you. The fact that you think we, as Central Committee members, permit or do not permit people to run for office is sad. This is the United States of America. If you want to run for office, you can run for office! This was only one of many things in your letter that was not true. I don’t know about our voters, but I for one am sick of people lying to get their way. If you have an agenda you think people will vote for, say it, but don’t think you can win popularity, and votes, by pulling the wool over the public’s eyes.

Lilya McAlister
Stevensville

Another kind of planning

Dear Editor,

It is interesting to see that the County Commissioners are creating an ad hoc committee, and hiring consultants to defend us against the threat of the Federal Government. Up until now, I hadn’t been aware that we had any issues with the Federal Government. (I am not up on everything going on in Helena and, until recently, hadn’t heard about secession.)

I am surprised to read that the Commission is thinking of contracts for consultants, since we haven’t heard of issues we are fighting about with the Federal Government. I didn’t have the $45.00 to go to the Coordination class (not really open and advertised to the public) that the Commissioners have had. They said their class was paid for by donations. I don’t have any donators. Anyhow, I thought these new commissioners were Tea Party folks who want to save, not spend, county funds for consultants and such.

There are issues that come about from time to time in which the Federal or State government is wrong. I feel that it is right to dispute them, and to take the Government to court if necessary. We can even amend the Constitution. I don’t know if it is necessary to start planning to take the Government to court when we don’t have an issue to dispute. We do have a new County Attorney ready to fight for Ravalli citizens, and he and his department are paid by us already. Do we really need to have consultants to tell our county how to fight something we don’t even know about as yet?

It is interesting that we have planning to fight the Fed, and nothing to plan for local people who do not want to have auto junkyards or septic dumps, porn shops or auto races in the neighborhood.

The same Commissioners who urged the election of an incompetent treasurer, and who had a replacement candidate and a finalist, a person with no experience on that level (but whose husband was on the Constitution Party ticket) and have chosen Terry Nelson for a technical position without any technical background in planning, but has one who presented Constitution Party candidates as Republicans. Seems like a political payoff! Now these commissioners have decided to fight the Federal Government before there is problem because it is on the far right agenda.

Wayne Kelly, who ran on the same ticket with these commissioners and espoused the idea of county supremacy and forming a local militia, had lots of the same ideas as these new commissioners. He articulated these ideas openly and the voters ran away from him. The new commissioners were not as open.

Our government has sometimes been wrong and sometimes has had to change. The mechanisms exist to amend and reform our nation. I don’t want to fight against my country. I have been an American citizen my whole life and would prefer not to change because some new commissioners don’t like the U.S.A.

Kathie Roubik
Hamilton

Big Money influence

Dear Editor,

This letter is in response to Bill LaCroix's stance that big money has influenced the right wing media to lead the majority of the people in the wrong direction through brain-washing.

I believe that for once in his life he's absolutely correct. What he fails to observe is how the left wing (who he is a leader of) attempts to take a few people with a lot of political energy and change the direction of what the majority would likely choose. He and his friends promoted zoning with so much spin that it almost seemed like everyone wanted it. Except for that fact that they did everything they could to keep it from coming to a vote.

What do these two extremes teach us? It teaches us that we are all being manipulated by a few people who don't have the happiness and well being of the majority ahead of their own self-serving interests. Listen to the people in the coffee shops and elsewhere who can't seem to understand how any of our country's new directions make sense compared to our past.

The medical field, banks, insurance, politicians, environmentalists - all feeding like a bunch of pigs at a trough we've been forced to fund through deviously positioned policies. They've done a good job of brainwashing. We all feel guilty that we haven't given enough to any cause anyone might ask money for and I mean anyone. You can't relax at home without someone calling with their hand out. The world seemed to compensate and keep rolling fine before without all of these emergency lack-of-funds reasons we're inundated with now. It's too bad the "askers" wouldn't feel as guilty about asking as we do in turning them down. The middle class has given so much to the poor and the rich that we hardly have enough left to take care of ourselves. What do you say that we grow a politically incorrect backbone and say NO!!

Dale Burkhart
Hamilton

Final hour near

Dear Editor,

We’re now in the home stretch of the 62nd legislative session, and work continues on House Bill 2, the budget. It’s a process, and we’re making changes as we go based on some forecasted differences and a few unexpected ones as well. Revenue estimates have fluctuated, and we’ve adjusted accordingly.

The House sent the Senate a minimalist budget which served as the foundation for the Senate to build upon. We spent fourteen hours debating HB 2 on the Senate floor, before transmitting it back to the House the following day.

Returned for approval was a budget that restored funding to some programs, such as the voter-approved tobacco prevention program, community colleges, a privately owned veterans’ home in Columbia Falls, and the Big Sky Rx program to name a few. But there has been some contention between the House and Senate, and the budget bill is now before a bipartisan conference committee, where negotiations will determine the bill that is sent to the governor after approval by both houses.

Since the end of January, our state’s bank account has shrunk by more than $140 million, as ongoing spending exceeds incoming revenue. Additionally, there has been a total of more than $103 million in unexpected expenditures that will directly impact the general fund balance. Included are unanticipated tort claims (Libby lawsuit), firefighting reserves, more than $20 million in both federal tax legislation and increases in the Medicaid caseload, as well as nearly $10 million in public school support.

Because the Montana Constitution defines a structurally balanced budget as one where spending does not exceed revenue, the legislative majorities in both chambers have elected to use a conservative approach when appropriating money to various programs, all of which have been carefully scrutinized as part of this arduous process.

During the fourteen hour debate in the Senate on HB2, more than $350 million worth of tax and spend increases were proposed and rejected on the basis that the taxpayer of Montana simply cannot afford a raise in taxes and fees. It is poor policy in these uncertain economic times to stretch ourselves too thin by mimicking the pattern of deficit spending that has nearly bankrupted the federal government. Our goal is to pass a budget with an adequate ending fund balance so we do not have to have a special session.

We contend that voters wanted fiscally conservative change this session, and we’re working hard to deliver that. Bipartisan cooperation, though, is crucial now more than ever. Without the support of our colleagues across the aisle, and the Executive branch on the second floor, we may have a difficult time reaching a compromise. Further complicating our task to adopt a structurally balanced budget is the threat of a Governor’s veto.

Generally, the debate revolves around the “money in the bank” argument. Is there money in the bank? Absolutely. Is that money spoken for? Yes. Think in terms of a personal bank account; while we have incoming paychecks (revenue) we all have ongoing expenses, such as rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, groceries, etc. Each month those costs may vary slightly depending on other extenuating circumstances. The same is true in state government, but also, where stimulus money was during ’09 and ’10, there’s now a hole in the budget.

Cutting expenses and shrinking spending isn’t the only way to balance the budget, but it is part of the equation. The other portion is to increase revenue through job creation which supports a greater tax base, and ultimately keeps taxes low. It is the objective of the legislative majorities in both chambers to keep taxes low and reduce them where possible.

Senate Bill 372 is a bill that’s been transmitted to the House where it had its first hearing earlier this week. The bill reduces business equipment tax. Reducing this tax will benefit every business in Montana. It will be funded by the elimination of certain tax credits covered in SB 253.

Other responsible legislation we are proud of includes House Bill 334, which reduces workers’ compensation rates. This bill, which has bipartisan support as well as the initial approval of the governor, will make hiring more affordable and our business climate more competitive with neighboring states.

Senate Bill 317, to revise the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA), will not re-write the act, but ensure that responsible development has the opportunity to come to Montana and create jobs. SB 317 clarifies MEPA by reiterating that its purpose is purely procedural. The bill’s sponsor has eloquently described the need for balance between economic development and environmental maintenance in a state which possesses some of the largest metal, oil and coal resources in the world.

We have a lot to be proud of, and Montana is a great place to live. Students should not be the commodity that we export. As the Treasure State, we value the land and the wealth that lies beneath us. Montana is a filled with prosperity and proud proprietors who’ve always been good stewards of the land. Our faith is our fortitude, and as the session draws to a close, we have to believe that decisions are being made for the right reasons.

Our agenda has been based on the goals that we recognized at the beginning of the session; those which came from Montanans, who voted overwhelmingly for a reduction in government and spending. At the end of the day, we will adopt a budget that we can all be proud of, with laws that point to job creation and economic growth.

Senator Bob Lake, SD 44
Hamilton

Opposed to SB 306

Dear Editor,

On Wednesday 3/23/11, I attended the House Natural Resources Committee hearing of SB306. The bill provides for expanding the cyanide leach method of recovering gold and silver, the method banned by Montana voters in 2004. SB306 allows any permitted open pit mine in Montana to transport ore to the Golden Sunlight mine (the only mine exempted by the voter initiative) to be processed with the cyanide heap leaching method. Therefore, it has the result of more cyanide leaching as well as more open pit mining, which also has pollution problems. At the hearing approximately 10 people, mostly members of the mining industry, supported the bill. The more than 20 people opposing the bill were landowners near the existing mine, fishermen, members of the environmental community, and even high school students. They were both Republican and Democrat. Concern over poisoning our water crosses political lines. Having already passed the Senate, SB306 passed the House Natural Resources Committee and went on to be passed by the full House of Representatives on April 1. Our Ravalli County legislators had a split vote: Rep. MacLaren, Rep. Ehli and Sen. Shockley voted against the bill, but Rep. Greef and Sen. Lake voted for the bill. Urge Governor Schweitzer to veto SB306, since this bill will allow expanding the number of open pit mines that may utilize the cyanide heap leach method of extracting gold and silver from Montana ore. Contact Governor Schwietzer at 406-444-3111, or e-mail at governor@montana.gov.

Pam Erickson
Hamilton

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