Last November, Montanans overwhelmingly approved the Healthy Montana Kids initiative (I-155) which directed the Legislature to place uninsured kids and their families ahead of huge corporations and wealthy individuals for once when they allocate funds for the next two years. Legions of people from all over the state worked hard and honest within the democratic avenues available to them to get this initiative on the ballot and then to get it passed, which we succeeded in doing by better than 2-1 margins in every single legislative district in this state. This initiative was passed in spite of--and arguably aided by--the horrible economic news already spewing out of Wall Street and Washington D.C., where the inevitable greed-sighted policies of deregulation and tax giveaways to huge corporations and wealthy individuals who socialize profits and capitalize losses finally came home to roost. People correctly affirmed the obvious and critical need in protecting kids and their families in the face of the hard times coming.

So now that we sent our legislators such a clear and easily understandable message, what do we see in Helena? We see imperious and condescending partisans – including our whole Bitterroot contingent – using the same failed neo-con arguments and convoluted brow-beatings that got us into this mess in the first place attempting to gut the initiative at every turn, leaving thousands of kids (and their families) exposed to crippling medical bills who could have been – and were directed by the people to be – protected. We see two (nearly identical and apparently-intentionally divisive) letters in last week’s Ravalli Republic from Reps. MacLaren and Lake bragging about how they’re going to save you a fraction of the cost of one emergency-room visit by gutting vehicle-license regulations while simultaneously pontificating about how ‘government must be accountable to the people.’

This is a tremendously sad display of what these Jurassic-era politicians and their supporters haven’t learned while watching their failed ideological world take a direct hit by the giant meteor of Reality. But we don’t have to go extinct with them. Bitterroot Human Rights Alliance was one of the main forces here moving Healthy Montana Kids through the People’s Process, and we hope your legislators hear from you before it’s too late (406-444-4800). But we also feel compelled, once again, to point out the obvious—that this sad display of integrity in Helena is the clearest and closest-up example any of us will get that incremental attempts to rein in our out-of-control healthcare system, such as those reforms advocated by Sen. Max Baucus and the Obama Administration and including Healthy Montana Kids, will ultimately fail. There’s just too much resistance from the crippled status quo, so we need to circumvent them with a healthy, rational public discussion about the only real solution that has been in plain sight all along - single-payer National Health Insurance.

BHRA will be sponsoring Bob Putsch, MD, of Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP), in a presentation, “Making Sense of Health Care Reform,” on Wednesday, April 15, at 7 p.m. at River Street Studio (corner of River and Second in Hamilton). PNHP counts over 13,000 physicians as members and has been advocating for some form of single-payer health care for many years. If you hope for a better health care system, if you want to change our current system to provide necessary health care for all Americans, if you want to learn more about current Single-Payer proposals, then please join in the only discussion about healthcare reform that not only has any chance of succeeding, but that makes any sense. Let’s not just put Single Payer ‘back on the table,’ let’s start demanding that it be the main course. For more information please call 274-2216.

Letters to the Editor

How long can it go on?

Dear Editor,

This letter is to comment on the letter from April 1, 2009 talking about the problems of taking money by our politicians in Washington. We all know that there are problems in Washington, but are your readers knowledgeable about the problems in the Bitterroot Valley? National politicians are bought out by corporations, like AIG or lobbyists. When a voter calls our representatives in Washington, you will be asked “what organization” you represent. I always say I’m a constituent. We are becoming the minority voice to our representatives, and all of our governments.

Does it really surprise Scott Burlingham that Max Baucus takes money from big business, and forgets our interests? He is a better actor than Mr. Burlingham thinks: he conned us in to voting him into office 6 times. This is business as usual, and what might not be well known in the Bitterroot is that Max’s staff work in very high places. One works two doors down from the Oval Office. Max also has friends in the Bitterroot, like George H. Corn, who relies on Max to keep him out of harm’s way. This is a big job.

After reading the self-published book “Finders Keepers” (I-Universe, 2009) we find that Scott Burlingham is a major player in activities as local law enforcement. Isn’t it funny to see the ‘sootman’ calling the kettle black? Since the wristwatch incident in approximately the year 2000, the prosecutors, law enforcement, and newspapers have all gone downhill. Mrs. Bolen made a sacrifice to attempt to combat the malicious prosecution, prosecutorial misconduct, and equal protection problems that have only gotten worse since her “strange encounter with local law” (the book’s subtitle).

Mr. Burlingham, and many more dyed-in-the-wool Republicans in the Bitterroot, will continue to complain about the Democrats’ activities; they are no different than Republicans. Is there any difference between Republicans and Democrats when you are talking about accepting money from big business? Nope. This detective from the Sheriff’s Department is drawing our attention to Max when he and his department have forgotten how to read, listen, and adhere to their so-called “oaths,” and our rights. Where is their sense of public service to the public, when they have such a disregard for their “defendants” and “suspects”? If someone like Mrs. Bolen doesn’t comply, the “system” of law enforcement, non-independent judiciary, and prosecutors will destroy them. These parties will alter evidence and obtain criminal conduct warrants when no crime was committed. The oaths and flags only amplify the obligation to the system which provides employment, and supposed protection. The real question is: should Max Baucus be protecting local activities and local politicians with his entrusted power in Washington?

If there is money to be taken from big business, any politician will take it. If there are rights to be violated, Ravalli County will do as it pleases under color of state and federal law. Probable cause, due process, and equal protection have been shown in a court of law to have been violated by Mr. Burlingham. Now, these national rights are on trial in Missoula in the Montana US District Court as Ravalli County is sued by former county residents. The real question is: how long is this system under the guise and direction of George H. Corn that is being protected by Max going to be protected by the White House, the local “system” and the media?

Michael Spreadbury
Hamilton

Remember our young children

Dear Editor,

Young children here in Ravalli County deserve the best that we can give them.

Week of the Young Child, held April 19-25, is a time to recognize the needs of young children, and thank the adults involved in their education and care. Parents, teachers, caregivers and other adults play important roles in the lives of young children, and Week of the Young Child celebrates their efforts.

We can show our support for early learning in our community by promoting early literacy programs, thanking teachers who care for our children, and working to ensure that our public policies support early learning for all young children.

Week of the Young Child is a time to focus our attention on bringing Ravalli County together for children.

Marjorie Vegoren, Vice President
Ravalli County Chapter, MT Association for the Education of Young Children

Thanks from FOE

Dear Editor,

The Fraternal Order of the Eagles is pleased to announce that it helped raise over $2,600 at its second annual Crab Feed for Special Olympics which was held on Sunday March 22 in Hamilton.

As past president of the Bitterroot Aerie #1693, I would like to thank Toby McCracken, from the Stock Farm, and his assistants David Yonker, Craig Simmons, Kevin Cochran, Kevin Krasovich, Jason Wedl, Susan O'Brien, Ishia Peprock and Suzanne Albright who helped prepare and serve the meal. Brothers would also like to thank volunteers Julie Hinman, Ranae Meyer, Nate Meyer, Joe Lieberth and Adriann Schiever who gave of their time to help raise awareness and funds for Bitterroot Valley Special Olympic athletes.

The following businesses played a huge role in the success of the event by donating to the silent auction: Bunny Robbins of Robbins Hallmark, Dave Demmons of Double D Guide Service, Tim Bozik of Bitter Root Brewing, Ron J. Ehli of Bitter Root Laundry & Cleaners, Fred Harbeck of Montana Idaho Log Homes, Pizza Hut - Hamilton, Patti Martin of Me & Mom, Blue Pine, Chapter One Book Store, Bob Ward & Sons, Brad Mildenberger of Mildenberger Motors, Matt Guzik and Toby McCracken of the Stock Farm Club and the Bitter Root Aerie and Auxiliary (Eagles).

I would also like to thank the more than 120 people who contributed and attended the second annual fund-raiser and welcome them back to next year's event.

Ron Brothers
Hamilton

The bigger the failure, the bigger the rewards?

Dear Editor,

I guess I'm just not smart enough to understand the workings of economics. You see, in my little world if you don't do your job you simply get let go and then you try to find other means of gainful employment. But, it appears in the world of high finance where only the Best and the Brightest are employed there are different methods of dealing with success and failure. It appears that the bigger a failure you are you become entitled to rewards no matter how big of a mess you make. Here we are reading once again about AIG the insurance company that is tooo big to fail failing once again and we, the taxpayers, once again bailing them out to the tune of many more billions than any of the other businesses that were also tooo big to fail. And it was bad enough that the first bailout and their little vacation junkets didn't do enough to satisfy their greed and arrogance, they continue to repeat foisting their follies on the taxpayers. Now we have bonuses or whatever they tend to call them now, but only to the tune of $165 million. Not too bad of a reward for running your company into the ground, I suppose. Mr. Geitner says that WE don't want to infringe on their right to be paid for a job not done very well at all, because it would lead to litigation. I won't even begin to get into how these Best and Brightest who have managed in their collective wisdom and expertise to bring the economy of this country to its knees. What I would like to know, though, is why these people still have jobs and continue to run this company into the ground? If these folks are the Best and Brightest then they should have no problem finding other means of employment. A simple resume with AIG executive should open a lot of doors I would think. After all most of the too big to fail companies are pretty much a good old boys club with you sitting on my board and I'll sit on yours and we golf on Thursday to discuss executive compensation. And it also seems that most every one of these companies have a leading executive who at one time or other was connected to Goldman Sachs.

I guess the point I'm vaguely trying to make here is what in the world are these people still doing on the job for AIG and why are they getting a bonus? Where did it become a good business model to reward failure? And quite handsomely I might add. These Best and Brightest should all be fired and possibly even some of them deserve a good investigation and maybe some criminal action. If they are so good at what they do they should have no trouble getting another job. And maybe then AIG et al could hire people who actually have business smarts and hopefully some common sense and honesty.

Mike Lulay
Hamilton

Response to Airport Advisory Board Chairman

Dear Editor,

This letter is in response to the opinion of pilot Dave Hedditch on April 1st about airport expansion. The letter lacked complete accuracy and truthfulness. The airport issue is very simple: a longer runway with greater separation from the taxiway will result in more and larger jet aircraft landing at Ravalli County Airport.

In 2001 the commissioners adopted an Airport Layout Plan (ALP). This is only a ‘possible expansion plan’ that the FAA requires be updated every 20 years. The first Environmental Assessment (EA) came out in 2004, but after the final draft was presented to the public and comments were made the EA was withdrawn because it was so poorly written and the documentation was inaccurate and incomplete. It is this EA that has been reworked and is the topic of discussion and it still is inaccurate and lacks factual data.

Ravalli County airport serves a very small sector of our population, mostly as a hobby airport. The problem now is that jets (mostly from out of state) push safety limits and land here to save themselves a drive from Missoula. They know they are landing at an airport that is not designed for their size and weight. Many of these planes are over weight and are degrading the existing runway. They also know that if they keep increasing this risky use that that risk-taking behavior encourages the FAA to accommodate them by offering an option for a longer runway instead of directing them to land in Missoula. Truly, if the jets landed in Missoula, we would not have such pressure to accommodate them and expand our airport.

It's like saying a road has a speed limit of 45, but if enough drivers speed on the road then the speed limit will be raised and then they need to build a better road because the cars are going faster.

Here are the facts: Our airport meets the needs of the air ambulance; their plane can land here now and are adequately served. In addition, the hospital helicopters function very well. Our airport meets the needs of the Forest Service fire-fighting planes, they have attended the meetings and have not requested a larger airport, those (SEAT) aircraft can land at smaller airports statewide including Stevensville.

Mr. Hedditch states that Option #4 “will bring the airport into compliance with safety standards at no cost to local taxpayers.” This statement is completely false. First of all, it is your tax dollars that pay for this expansion. Whether it comes from taxes on your plane tickets, federal income taxes redistributed or state property taxes that come back to Ravalli County and are spent at the airport, these are taxpayer dollars. When it is all said and done, this airport expansion will be built with your money, with the exception of any private contributions and it is our County’s responsibility to maintain it no matter what size it is. The bigger it is, the more expensive it is to maintain.

Mr. Hedditch states that the "FAA will not provide funding for Option #2.” This is completely false. Would the FAA include it in the EA as a viable choice if it did not meet the safety needs put forth by the FAA? We have spoken with the FAA Director in Helena and he stated that they will fund option #2 and he stated that publicly at the last county meeting.

Mr. Hedditch states that "the argument that we will have bigger, heavier, faster or noisier aircrafts is false.” This argument is really true and it’s a good argument.

This airport expansion with longer runways and wider separations are precisely for larger, heavier, faster and noisier aircraft. These larger jets have to come in at faster speeds, then they have to reverse their engine thrust and the noise is tremendous, ground shaking and home rattling and the toxic jet fume exhaust pollutes the air. The old saying, "if you build it, they will come," holds true here.

Mr. Hedditch states that, "all aviation business at the airport will have to close." This is false. He states, "all revenues will disappear.” This is false. Over the past seven years the county records show in the months of February through May (anticipated closure time), total county revenue from fuel sales is less than $500 dollars for the four-month period. Gas tax income may decline but hangers will still be rented. Mechanics can still work. Training pilots and hobby aircraft pilots can fly out of Stevensville. Gas sales to aircraft will decline but gas sales to the construction equipment could increase.

When public infrastructure needs improving, whether it is a water main on Main Street or a highway widening on Hwy 93, businesses have to give a little to eventually reap the benefits of public improvements. Those businesses were never given a guarantee of stable income during public infrastructure development; the airport vendors are no exception.

Mr. Hedditch gave the worst-case scenario about the time line for improvements. If the commissioners choose option #2 and altered it to stay at 4,200 feet, construction can begin in spring as soon as possible. There could also possibly be two or three shifts working to get it done and perhaps even have the runway open on weekends. It should not take 6 months. He is trying to instill fear in you that the forest is going to burn up if we don't choose the "Rolls Royce” expansion. Remember those Forest Service (SEAT) aircraft can land in Stevensville.

Mr. Hedditch argues that the largest expansion, Option #4, is needed to provide more hanger space and tie downs, but are they really needed? Right now, according to the airport manager, only 5 or 6 weekends out of the year are when all the tie downs are used and most of the time there are 7 or 8 sitting empty. Also, there are 6 inoperable tie downs that could be brought back into working order. Total revenues to the county for the existing 32 tie downs is approximately $2500/year.

Right now there is ample room at the airport for more tie downs to be created but no one wants to pay for putting them in because they would not be profitable. As for hangars, there are about 72 hangars out there right now and some don't have planes in them, some are illegally used for storage. Option #2 includes space for approximately 52 new hangars and Option #4 adds space for about 64 new hangars. The difference is about 12 hangars; the cost is millions of dollars more.

When Mr. Hedditch states that we should "think about $17,000,000 injected into the county," the estimated cost of Option #4, this is very misleading. Millions of dollars will go into the pocket of the current land owners and after the land is purchased for Option #3 or #4, the actual construction cost of option #2 #3 and #4 will be approximately the same, so possible employment to a county resident is similar in all three options. Currently all choices include a longer runway 600 feet to the north. This takes out many acres of land that is currently slated for a subdivision. That subdivision would bring in local jobs from the ground up and generate ongoing, recycling income and tax revenue. It has not been determined if the land to the north is even for sale.

The FAA has presented us with four options. Option #1 is to make no changes, all other options call for the same size runway, at 5,200 feet long and 600 feet to the north but each at different distances from the taxi way. If we keep our runway length at 4,200 feet as it is now, and choose the 80-foot separation from Option #2, the commissioners can move ahead without delay, creating an airport that meets all FAA safety requirements, does not require the purchase of additional land, saves millions of dollars and does not attract more and larger jets that diminishes our quality of life.

Phyllis Bookbinder (for)
ICAARE Group

Thanks to Library volunteers

Dear Editor,

National Volunteer Week is April 20-25.

The Bitterroot Public Library would like to acknowledge with great appreciation the many volunteers who provide us and our community with support, good will and help in providing public service to our library community. Please come in April 28 through May 3 during National Volunteer Week for refreshments throughout the day and to thank our volunteers for their contributions to the library.

All the members of the Bitterroot Public Library Board of Trustees, Bitterroot Public Library Foundation, Inc. and Friends of the Bitterroot Public Library are volunteers. Additionally, library volunteers provide shelving and circulation desk services, technical support, architectural design, flowers for our beds, story time reading and more.

Nansu Roddy, Director
Bitterroot Public Library

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