George Mueller, a young pastor in Bristol, had observed the hundreds of hungry waifs begging in the streets. Clad in filthy garb, shivering in the cold, the orphans wandered about, unloved and forsaken. The cholera plague of 1832 had claimed the lives of thousands, leaving waves of homeless children.

Moved by the tragedy, Mueller and his wife, Mary, made a commitment to feed, house, and educate the orphans, with God’s help. “We can’t pass by on the other side,” Mueller said.

Times were hard; even potatoes were a luxury. But Mary and George refused to accept government funds or make appeals of any kind. God would be their only resource, they said.

Mueller was not naive, as some suggested, having experienced the results of prayer in his own life many times. And he had done his homework, studying the Holy Bible for hours at a time. As Mueller prayed, donations for rent and supplies came in. Volunteers showed up to parent, cook, clean, sew, teach, repair, and build.

During his lifetime, Mueller built five large orphanages in which over ten thousand children were completely cared for and educated. Videos about Mueller can be found on YouTube.

Prayer changes things in today’s world, too. In September of 2008 Hurricane Ike ruined 345 homes in Oak Island, Texas. Surveying the wreckage, a church group gathered to pray. A quiet stranger joined them.

Neil Diamond had come to Texas to do a concert that week in Houston. He entered the prayer group at exactly the right moment. Listening to his heart, Diamond’s donation re-built a dozen homes.

“I’m so grateful....” says Esther Nelson, who received one of the gift homes.

In another modern example, about a month ago Nadia Bloom, age 11, disappeared from her Florida home.

A volunteer crew searched for four days. They avoided the swampy wilderness behind her home where insects, snakes, and alligators thrived, believing the thicket too much for a girl like Nadia to engage.

James King, father of five, had searched with the volunteer crew. On the fifth day, when the other searchers were delayed, King set out alone. He had prayed all night and had the support of his wife, Diana. “You know, James, when we lose something, and we pray in the spirit, we always find it,” she said.

King believed God was leading him to go east towards the sunrise into the dense area previously avoided by searchers. Machete in hand, he hacked into the thicket for two hours, repeatedly calling Nadia’s name. Finally, he heard an answer. When he found her, Nadia was sitting on a log, barefoot. She said she had only eaten a few spongy plants during the ordeal.

King called for help from his GPS cell phone. When rescuers arrived, Nadia, who has a mild form of autism, said, “Glad you guys found me,” and, “Can’t believe you rescued me.” She was hospitalized with severe dehydration, a bacterial infection, waterlogged feet, and insect bites.

Nadia had entered the wilderness to photograph wildlife. According to her sister, she may have wanted pictures for a nature video.

James King refuses to be called a hero. Instead, he gives the glory to God for saving Nadia.

These examples show that when people pray, God works. Thursday, May 6, is the National Day of Prayer. A room has been reserved at the Stevi Town Hall during the noon hour for those who wish to join together in prayer. (The National Day of Prayer receives no government funds.)

Letters to the Editor

Animal welfare activists overstepping

Dear Editor,

First I want to make it clear that I am totally against any kind of neglect or abuse, whether it be a horse or a chicken, and I would stand behind anyone that is trying to bring it to an end.

I’m also against people and groups that stick their noses into other people’s affairs no matter how heartfelt their intentions.

On Saturday, the 24th of April, two women came to my neighbor’s door and informed her that there had been complaints called into the Humane Society, by several of her neighbors, concerning the neglect of her horses, and that they looked underfed. They were there to offer help in food or placing the horses in good homes. My neighbor informed them that she had been feeding 850 lbs. of hay a week along with Over Twenty grain mix, and had been keeping them up-to-date on their shots. They did have worms, and that had been attended to. She then told them she was going to put them on Craigslist as free to good homes. The lead woman told her not to do that as there was an investigation into someone picking up horses on Craigslist and distributing them as food and that she should give the horses to reputable group such as hers to find homes for them. She then asked if she could take pictures of the horses so she could place them better. She was told no and after some discussion they left.

After reading the pamphlet the women had left, my neighbor was fearful that if she didn't allow these women to take the horses that she would face criminal neglect. Note: on the front bottom of the pamphlet and on the business card it states that their services are "an alternative to criminal neglect.”

I called the Sheriff's Office and asked what the procedure was in the event they got a complaint of animal abuse. Dispatch said they would send a Deputy out to investigate, not a private group.

I called the Humane Society and was told that upon receiving an abuse complaint they would call the Sheriff's office and have a Deputy investigate, not a private group. I was told that if someone called and said they needed to find homes for their horses they would give the person the phone number of the group and let the owner call them.

I called the woman that had contacted my neighbor, and asked who had sent her out and she said the Humane Society. I told her what I'd been told by both the Sheriff's Office and the Humane Society and she asked who I'd talked to at the Humane Society. I told her “whoever it was that answered the phone.” She then stated, “Well, then you have nothing." After some discussion about informing the public, she stated. “You don't know who you're dealing with, and had better be ready to face the backlash,” and hung up.

It’s time the horse owners’ rights are addressed. You do not have to put up with harassment by your neighbor, or any group. If there is a complaint you will be contacted by a Deputy, not a private group. Tell them to leave, then call the Sheriff's Office and report the incident. If a Deputy contacts you, work with him, he's only doing his job.

If you feel you have been a victim of this kind of harassment report it to the Sheriff's Office.

If you are concerned with the treatment of an animal, call the Humane Society or the Sheriff's Office and let them handle it.

As I see it, one problem is that there are a lot of people that are new to living in Montana, and mean well, but don't know anything about livestock. We need to educate them, thus making them better neighbors. We also have well-meaning groups being overzealous and stepping out of their bounds. They need to go though the proper channels.

David Simmons
Stevensville

Corn soft on crime

Dear Editor,

Since moving to the valley I’ve been the victim of two separate criminal acts and in neither case were the perpetrators given punishment that would change their behavior. Neither served any sentenced time. Their acts cost me thousands of dollars and there has been no financial restitution. In Ravalli County crime does indeed seem to pay. The long-term cost to citizens in these types of cases (i.e. nonviolent) is greater than on an appropriate sentence.

A case in point is what happened at the sentencing of Twila Hallford. The newspaper headline proclaimed that she got 25 years in prison. Not true. As reported, 15 of those years are “suspended,” so she will be back in the valley much too soon. Possibly within 10 months.

She is a chronic, unrepentant thief. Yet, at the sentencing hearing, County Attorney George Corn asked the court to “suspend” 22 years of her 25-year sentence! It has been proven that she committed bankruptcy fraud, embezzled from an employer in Missoula, then embezzled from her next employer, Teller Wildlife Refuge, defrauded the state out of low-income child care money, and then stole from her new employer while on probation. Our elected prosecutor recommends a slap on the wrist! Then, as a final insult, Mr. Corn asked for her new sentence to run together (concurrent) with her earlier sentence for embezzlement, instead of in addition (consecutive) to her first sentence. What a slap in the face.

Please, voters, enough of this sort of thing.

Ken Payne
Hamilton

Concerned about Vanek

Dear Editor,

I have been reading in Letters to the Editor about the candidates running for the office of Ravalli County Sheriff. I have never had any dealings, either positive or negative, with the incumbent Sheriff, Chris Hoffman, but I have read the many negative things that his opposing candidate, Joede Vanek, has written about him. I wish Vanek would either offer proof of his accusations or drop the subject. Vanek also needs to show us that what he has to offer is better.

I have read Vanek’s flyer and visited his websites and the posted information raises legitimate questions. Vanek states that during his 20-year law-enforcement career, he was assigned to work with the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), and his local Nevada Gang Unit. He also claims that he has been a narcotics investigator, patrol officer, crisis and conflict management officer, and community-oriented police officer. To this, he adds a multitude of other assignments including working as a SWAT officer for nine years, and claims he was involved in more than 240 high-security protection details and that he assisted with 2,000 Tactical search warrants. As a retired police officer of 26 years, I can tell you that there aren’t enough hours in the day to do all the things Vanek says he has accomplished.

Vanek’s flyer is filled with photos of himself shaking hands with former presidents and other VIPs, the implication being that shaking hands with important people qualifies a person to be elected as Ravalli County Sheriff. He states he has protected U.S. presidents, senators, and dignitaries, but has he actually conducted business with these individuals? How does protection-for-hire qualify someone to be Sheriff?

Vanek also fails to list his formal education, and neither has he presented a history of business experience. Has he ever held a supervisory position? Has he handled administrative duties, created or managed a budget, or sat on hiring or promotion boards? Has he ever written a performance evaluation? I would think a candidate should have some of these qualifications to be considered qualified to be Sheriff. From all appearances, Vanek spent his 20-year law-enforcement career assisting others with police work, but has never shouldered the responsibility or accountability of being in charge.

Neither can I find where Vanek has any first-hand experience working with legislative bodies or local elected officials. He has not indicated how he will handle the pressure of dealing with the Governor, Attorney General, U.S. Attorney, County Attorney, County Commissioner, City Council members or local Mayors, or even the most basic personnel issues.

I have seen with my own eyes how Vanek handles stress and pressure, and it is just as I read in another of the letters to the editor. He rants, raves, yells, puffs up, and makes violent threats. He appears to be totally out of control. Others have reported that Vanek conducts himself in the same out-of-control manner at local city meetings. Instead of pursuing the office of Sheriff of Ravalli County, I might suggest Vanek pursue some Anger Management classes.

I have lived in the Valley since 1995. I’m a retired police officer of 26 years. I was on the Los Angeles Police Department SWAT team for some time. Before retiring, I was in charge of two narcotics taskforces supervising federal, state, and local police officers and sheriff’s officers. I have attained degrees in Supervision and Public Administration and I have a Masters degree in Business (MBA). Does this make me qualified to be Sheriff of Ravalli County? ABSOLUTELY NOT. So what does make someone qualified to be a leader in our community or the Sheriff of Ravalli County? Honesty, integrity, and sense of duty to the community and it residents. None of which Vanek displays in public.

Bob Gartner
Stevensville

Support for Vanek

Dear Editor,

I am not a member of the North Valley Pachyderm Club, nor did I attend their April 2nd meeting but what I heard from various ones who were there is, Tom Allsop made a total a-- of himself with his use of vulgar four-letter words and hostile, disrespectful attitude when interrupting others who were speaking with Joede Vanek.

In his April 14th letter, Allsop's referring to Joede Vanek as being a mere 'Las Vegas SWAT cop' with no 'administrative' experience, indicates to me Tom has done little research into Mr. Vanek's impressive 20+ years' experience in nearly all phases of law enforcement which, other than his nine years as a 'SWAT cop', also includes gang unit/narcotics investigator, DEA/ATF joint task force, and various other positions as well as his numerous awards and citations for meritorious service and valorous conduct.

Perhaps Chris Hoffman had more extensive law enforcement experience prior to his being elected Ravalli County Sheriff. However, in my research on Hoffman all I found was, he had been a Hamilton police officer and a resource officer at Hamilton High School; neither of which were 'administrative' positions.

Tom refers to himself as having been a victim of some crime; I doubt it involved a horrific murder! My closest friend of more than 20 years was Dorothy Harris, owner of the Florence beauty salon where she and two other ladies were senselessly murdered in November, 2001. I am a surviving victim of that tragedy; my life, as well as the lives of those ladies' families and numerous friends, was changed forever on that fateful day. I believe inexperience and gross lack of proper investigative procedure in that case led to Judge Malloy's recent dismissal of all charges against the accused killer of those ladies. In my opinion, had Joede Vanek been Sheriff in 2001, that murder investigation would have been properly handled and long ago, resulted in a conviction of the perpetrator(s). .

One more thing I feel compelled to say is, I whole-heartedly concur with Tom's own assessment of himself as being a 'Good Ole Boy'. In my years of living in a southern state, I found the majority of 'Good Ole Boys' to be self-absorbed, rude, crude, disrespectful of women and in general, obnoxious. If the shoe fits, Tom...

Since I believe Joede Vanek is the best qualified Sheriff's office candidate this county has seen in the many years I've lived in the Bitterroot, he will get my vote on June 8th, but regardless of whether or not your choice differs from mine, PLEASE VOTE!

Jan Thomas
Stevensville

Arizona law outrageous

Dear Editor,

What is the electorate of Arizona thinking? Tea partiers and libertarians claim they want ‘government’ to stay out of their lives and personal matters; but then they enacted a law empowering armed agents of the government to stop, interrogate, and even arrest anyone “acting suspiciously”. This double-think should be concerning to the rest of us.

The only way to reconcile these disparate positions is to see that supporters of this new Arizona law intend two distinct sets of laws, one for whites and one for persons of a darker complexion. Of necessity, this conjures thoughts of the KKK in our southern States, Nazi Germany in the 1930’s, and Soviet countries of the 1950’s.

In a popular movie, it was said of Alabama that one ‘needs a passport’ to go there. The idea was humorous. However, because of recent legislation, one now needs to carry a passport or other similar document to be safe from government over-reaching in Arizona; and this is no laughing matter.

Even more concerning is the provision in the new Arizona law which permits individuals to sue the government if it fails to interrogate and even arrest “suspicious” persons. This new law legalizes the scenario that the ‘right’ people will be reporting the ‘wrong’ people to the government; and the ‘right’ people are now empowered by law to assure that government agents accost those reported.

Whatever thought processes prompted this new law in Arizona, total abandonment of all this country stands for and the admonition regarding the treatment of ”the least of My brethren” cannot be tolerated as a solution.

Claire L. Kelly
Stevensville

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