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Wednesday, June 21, 2006 Opinion & EditorialGuest CommentIgnorance won't solve wildlife deformity problemby Judy Hoy, Stevensville I would like to respond to statements made by the head of Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Park's Wildlife Laboratory, Neil Anderson, as reported in the Bitterroot Star of June 14, 2006, regarding the developmental malformations in White-tailed Deer, as well as in Elk, Mule Deer, Bison, Antelope and Bighorn Sheep and domestic animals. Underbite, as a result of the improper development of the upper face, jaw and skull, affects the individual's ability to eat, but unless the underbite is very severe or unless there is a long, cold winter with deep snow, does not result in the death of the animal. In birds, this malformation does cause mortality. The other type of developmental malformation is malformation of the genitalia in mammal species, affecting some individual males' ability to produce young. Let's pretend that we could go up in a space ship and zap up a representative sample of 100 White-tailed Deer born in 2003. Of the 100 animals, there would be 60 males and 40 females because of a skewed sex ratio in favor of males (normal sex ratio is 52M/48F). Between 40 and 50 deer of both sexes of the 100 deer would have underbite. Of the 60 males, 15 would have improperly descended (ectopic) testes and another 37 would have the left half of the scrotum formed forward of the right. That would leave 13 males with normal genitalia to breed our 40 females. Anyone who raises livestock can tell you that is more than enough. Therefore, neither of the two types of malformations would immediately cause the population to decline in a mammal species? Mr. Anderson states that since the deer population is not declining, that alone indicates that there are "limited" malformations (over 50% is not considered "limited" by most scientists) and that the malformations reported may be a "natural abnormality." What is a "natural abnormality"? If these malformations are "natural" in game animals, why were there no reports of them in previous studies of game animals? A very inclusive study of hunter killed and vehicle killed White-tailed Deer done in Michigan in the early sixties by Lawrence A. Ryel found not a single underbite or reproductive malformation in thousands of deer carefully examined. Ryel did find a normal number (less than 1%) of odd colored deer, short lower jaws and canine teeth, which we have seen here and reported in similar low numbers. This would indicate that the two types of malformations described above in very alarming incidence rates are not at all "natural". Before Mr. Anderson questions the credibility or the credentials of good scientists who are trying to do something about a very serious problem, he should go back and take Biology 101. Maybe he would learn about incidence rates, natural vs. unnatural abnormalities and most of all learn to do literature searches. |
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Letters to the EditorFormer Republic editor weighs inI'd like to take this opportunity to comment on Susan EM Johnson's recent letter in the Bitterroot Star regarding the firing of Ravalli Republic reporter Tim Mitchell. I'm uniquely qualified to address this issue since I'm the editor who hired Tim more than three years ago and had the pleasure of working with him until I was fired in July of 2005. I agree that his dismissal based on "an inability to do the job" is ludicrous since he'd been covering his beat successfully for years. Not only did Tim do a superlative job of reporting on law enforcement and judicial issues, he's literally the best such reporter I've encountered in almost 30 years as an editor. His willingness to venture out in pursuit of a story any time, day or night, weekends included, was truly inspiring. Did his writing require some editing? Of course, but so does the work of most reporters, to one degree or another. But editing is what editors do, and I was proud to work with Tim on each and every story he wrote. If the new editor, Jenny Johnson, is responsible for his dismissal, she should be ashamed. Many of the Republic's problems, however, originate at a higher level than the editor's office. Lee Enterprises, the newspaper's parent company, has a corporate policy that emphasizes the importance of strong local news coverage and I believe they are sincere. Unfortunately, important policies that originate at corporate headquarters in Davenport, Iowa, can be watered down significantly at the local level. Journalists at the Ravalli Republic are forced to endure blanket policies that limit their abilities to cover hard news stories, and are urged or outright required to give preferential treatment to local groups like the 4-H Club and the Republican Party of Ravalli County. Worse, the newsroom has been subjected to the dismantling of the traditional wall of separation between the news department and advertising. The firing of Tim Mitchell is symptomatic of a greater problem at the Ravalli Republic. With the recent departure of long-time reporter Rod Daniel, the turnover in the newsroom in less than a year since my firing is 100 percent. Reporters and photographers come and go at small newspapers like the Ravalli Republic, but this attrition rate in the last 11 months is shocking and speaks more clearly than I can about the conditions there. I harbor no personal animosity over my firing. In fact, it's the best thing that's ever happened in a career in journalism that spans almost three decades. I'm now working at a small weekly newspaper that values quality community journalism, and I have never enjoyed a job more. But Hamilton is my adopted home town and my wife and I plan to live there the rest of our lives. We want a newspaper that covers the complex issues in the Bitterroot Valley in a balanced, unbiased way, and I fear that is no longer the case. Wayne Adair |
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Apology from JP candidateDear Editor, Now that the dust of the June primary has settled, I want to take this opportunity to express my thanks to all of the people who took the time to exercise their responsibility to vote. I also want to express my deepest apologies to everyone for involving myself in the Sheriff¹s race. I made a huge mistake. As much as I want to justify my actions to myself and others, I find that trying to do so sounds very much like lame excuses. I failed to follow my own ethical standards, not to mention the standards of non-partisan candidates. For this I feel a deep sense of shame. It is not easy writing this letter, but my parents taught me that by not admitting your mistakes, you compound the error. I am offering this apology for no other reason than to say that wrong is wrong, and I have no excuses. Jay Printz |
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Thanks from American LegionDear Editor, Members of the American Legion Post #94 would like to provide a sincere thank you to everyone who supported our Duck Race fund raiser on Saturday, June 17th. A special thanks goes to the Full Moon Saloon and the High Country Saloon for helping us sell tickets. With the sound of Jim Teslow's (the official starter) shotgun being fired, a record crowd watched the unleashing of the 500 little racing ducks. A large percentage of the spectators then followed the little quackers as they bobbed their way down the Supply Ditch the 1-1/2 miles to the finish line. Most of the crowd was on hand at the half-way point to cheer on their little ducklings as they raced by. The leaders changed positions several times as the spectators cheered them on. Another record crowd was present for the near-photo finish as the flock came into the capture area where the head duck wranglers, Harry Potton and Ruben Armijo, were waiting to judge the finish. The following winners were declared by the race judges: 1. First Place ($500) - Bob Roberts (ticket #321) Congratulations to the winners and thanks again to everyone who made this race a great success. Jerry Esmay, Commander |
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Western Heritage Days thank youDear Editor, Western Heritage Days was a very successful event this year! We want to take this opportunity to thank all of the involved volunteers without whom this would not be possible. The partnerships that were formed worked beautifully and it was a great weekend here in Stevensville, Montana. Thanks to a wonderful community of volunteers a memorable and positive event came together and provided a terrific afternoon of entertainment, exploration of our town and education about our history! Joan Prather, Stevensville Main Street Association |
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Thanks to Ravalli FoundationDear Editor, I would like to thank the Ravalli Foundation for their generosity in supporting the project "Fund for All." The financial donation made to "Fund for All" goes directly to help children in the Stevensville and Lone Rock communities participate in extra-curricular activities. We have paid for swimming and music lessons, sports equipment, clothing and even food for students when traveling for activities. The support from the Ravalli Foundation means all students, regardless of their financial situation, are able to be involved in school and the community, gain skills outside of the classroom and find success in other arenas. Many of these children have the chance to be positively influenced by a coach or a mentor who impacts them for life. It is an expensive time for all families. The increase in fuel and heating costs plus inflation have added to already tight budgets. The financial commitment of extra-curricular activities is often something that is just not possible. Through support of others, like those who have established the Ravalli Foundation, the children of our area are able to have these experiences that help to make strong and healthy kids. Thank you for your willingness to be part of this effort. "Fund for All" |
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