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| Volume XVIII, Number 6 | Wednesday, August 28, 2002 | |
Unpleasant special session Dear Editor, The recent special session was very unpleasant for several reasons. The Democrats alleged that the revenue shortfall was the result of Republican tax cuts - which is simply not true. The Republican-sponsored tax cuts that lowered real estate taxes and personal property taxes helped homeowners and small businesses, but were not the cause of the revenue shortfall. The revenue shortfall was the result of economic conditions beyond the control of the Governor, the Legislature, or anyone else in Montana. The revenue from income taxes and capital gains are down dramatically, that is the problem and relates to out-of-state events. The primary reasons for the revenue decline is the events of the 11th of September 2001 and corporate corruption. I was not happy with the Senate-sponsored budget reductions for K-12 education, and neither are most House members. While I believe that the educational community could spend our money more wisely, now is not the time to reduce the money the State provides to schools. Cutting school funding just before the school year begins, after contracts have been signed and school budgets set, is poor public policy. From a political stand point, at least five Republican house districts are in danger and school funding is very important in those races. Whether you want to take the high road, or the lower one, policy, or politics, cutting the funding of K-12 was not a good idea. There were better places to save money than education (K-12), and in particular Representative Dick Haines of the House Appropriations Committee did his best for education. State government is wasteful. As an example, and only one example, at least seven Department of Corrections (DOC) personnel were driving every working day (the total number has not been divulged by the DOC) from their homes in Helena to the prison in Deer Lodge in State cars. This costs about $26,000 per year per car. The agencies in many cases have not made good faith efforts to cut their expenses and reduce waste. The House cut agency travel by 25%, but the Senate put it back in the budget at the expense of K-12 education. The House leadership did all that was possible with the cards that were dealt, but we had a pair of tens, not enough to open. Politicians of both parties talk ad nauseam about economic development, but the Senate cut $6.6 million from gross vehicle weight (GVW) revenues which when leveraged with federal funds provides about $50 million to repair roads. This $50 million is real economic development because it maintains infrastructure, and it creates real jobs at the same time. Cutting this money from road repair was poor policy, and bad politics. The House of Representatives is the body that most closely reflects the interests of the people. The most experienced members, the long serving members and committee chairman have been replaced by inexperienced people like myself. The experience and institutional memory went to the Senate in 2001 and is still doing so. The House is very fortunate to have some exceptionally talented and precocious members; for example Dan McGee (Speaker and moving to the Senate), Dave Lewis (Chairman of House appropriations), Bob Story (Chairman of House Tax and moving to the Senate). Representatives Lewis and Story negotiated on behalf of the Republican Caucus with the Senate. There are other exceptional representatives, particularly in the leadership, but not as many as we need. We cannot expect to be this lucky in the future and the relative power of the body closest to the people will continue to be diminished. Term limits increases the power of the Senate, the Governor, the bureaucrats in the State agencies, and the lobbyists. The House of Representatives and the people suffer. The majority of the Senate was composed of senators not up for reelection this November; they were either term limited and had nothing to lose, or they were elected in 2000. I voted for term limits but it was a mistake. The coming session will be very rough. The trick will be to beat the bureaucrats at their own game and not only to trim the government, but do as the Speaker says and cut programs. There is no need to a tax increase or a sales tax. Every program that deserves money can be funded adequately if we cut government. Rep. J. G. Shockley House District 61 |
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Alley problem created Dear Editor, What a joy it is for all Stevensville City residents to see their alleys graded and rolled hard as a brick. Now our neighbors can drive 65-70 mph down the alley instead of 50 mph. Yes, they have been talked to that there are kids, pets, and elderly who can't get out of the way. Does conversing with these miscreants have an impact? The response is it is their right to drive the way they want or none of your business. Unfortunately, the ones (many) who need to read this will not because they cannot or don't take the time. City employees mentioned the alley project was the brainchild of Mayor Pat Groninger. Well, Progressive Pat, you had better hire several more city police officers or nail the idiots who drive with little or no regard for others. Most are adults. Gene Lewis Stevensville |
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Thanks for skateboard story Dear Editor, Thank you for running the story about the Stevensville skatepark, August 14th edition. The entire original Stevensville Skatepark Project group is very disappointed that the project will not go forward. However, I would like to point out an error in the story. The story seemed to imply that the Lewis and Clark Park Committee of the Civic Club had raised the $10,000. Actually the Committee did not become involved in this project until about March of this year. The plans for the skatepark began in July of 2000 and our independent group of skaters, parents and interested adults were the ones who actually raised these funds. I helped by writing various grant applications and the kids helped by doing a few fund raising activities as well as helping put on the Indoor Skate Day in February of last year in Missoula. I wanted to point this out because I think the skaters and the independent group really deserve the credit for these efforts and their hard work. Judith A. Loring Stevensville |
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Thanks to Civic Club Dear Editor, The Stevensville Main Street Association would like to thank and recognize the Stevensville Civic Club for the wonderful job they did organizing the 2002 Creamery Picnic. The Barbecue Contest competition was excellent and a wonderful addition to the festivities. The parade was great and the entertainment was fun! Super job and much thanks! Applause to the Stevensville Garden Club for the wonderful flower show. Many positive comments were received. Special thank you to all the prize sponsors and volunteers who helped to make our bingo booth a success. The town is looking wonderful, the activities are successful and draw interest from visitors outside the Stevensville Community. Consistency is being achieved and it is great! You are all (volunteers, organizations, business and property owners) doing a terrific job making Stevensville a desirable destination! Congratulations to Majestic Mountains Gift and Gallery on being chosen Business of the Month for August, 2002. Their participation on Main Street and their support has been wonderful! We are glad to have them here! The Main Street Association will be having the annual Pie Auction Fundraiser on the First Friday in September, "Pie in the Big Sky." Wayne Olson will be our auctioneer. This was a fun/successful event last year and anyone interested in providing a pie utilizing their culinary talents and imagination should contact the Main Street Office at 777-3773. There will be a spot for you. If you don't bake, come bid! We appreciate your support! The next Main Street meeting will be Wednesday, September 11, 11:30 a.m. at the Main Street Office. "Working Together To Make Stevensville All You Envision It To Be!" Joan Prather, Program Director Stevensville Main Street Assn. |
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Trust the lab to be safe Dear Editor, Not in my back yard! Not in my front yard! Not in town! These are expected and natural reactions to the announced multimillion dollar expansion of the Rocky Mountain Laboratory (RML) in Hamilton, Montana. The laboratory will be working with even more bacterial and viral disease agents, and their carrier organisms, than it has until now. These are mostly vicious agents which can cause serious illness and death in humans and some animals. The Laboratory is under the Public Health Service of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It has worked to discover, name and characterize disease microorganisms since its establishment early in the 20th century. Its work with Lyme Disease, named after the site of its first isolated disease cases in Lyme, Connecticut, its best known success. The quality of work and persistent dedication of the past and present RML scientists are world-renowned. Some caution, suspicion and fears on the part of the laboratoryıs neighbors in Hamilton and nearby areas are healthy attitudes. The announced meetings of interested organizations should cause more detailed information to be released about the admittedly dangerous and secretive future work at the laboratory. This is especially useful in the light of September 11 terrorist attacks, and the anthrax attacks in their wake, by yet-unknown persons. What used to be disease epidemic defense, now is also terrorist defense. Natural disease agents now must also be regarded as terror weapons. What will be publicly discovered are, (I am sure) exhaustive techniques used to isolate the "bugs," and lab safety and police measures to be used to protect workers and the public. We should keep in mind that the laboratory has worked with dangerous microorganisms for many years, without a hitch. The laboratory has to be located somewhere. It has to be accessible to population and transportation centers. If it were to be placed somewhere, "out in the middle of nowhere," we would find that there is no such place. If there were, no scientist would settle there for the long term. The Bitterroot Valley is the perfect place to attract world-recognized scientists. Those scientist have families, time off, and are aware of their surroundings. Why not settle in the most beautiful place in the world, with scenic mountains, wilderness and wildlife? The Ravalli County Growth Policy Focus Group has brought this out: Here is the place where good environment, open space, recreation, schools, churches, services, and quality of life abound. The Growth Policy will assure that they are enhanced and preserved. The advantages to Hamilton and the entire Ravalli County, of having the enlarged Rocky Mountain Laboratory here, are many. It pays well and contributes to the county's economic well being. It will be a magnet for biological science and other scientific enterprises. These will pay high salaries, and with their educated staff, support cultural institutions, and use and influence the quality of our education systems. "Birds of a scientific feather flock together." The laboratory is a perfect low impact, high pay employer. Its benefits outweigh risks fifty to one. Go with it. Dick Martineau Stevensville |
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Thanks from transplant patient Dear Editor, My name is Justin Uriarte and I live in Stevensville, MT. In March of 2002 I relocated to Seattle, WA to be considered for a bi-lateral lung transplant at the University of Washington Medical Center. The waiting time for a transplant, once on the list, is from a few days to over a year. I received my new pair of lungs on Motherıs Day, May 12th. I am required to stay in the Seattle area for a minimum of six months under doctorıs care for constant monitoring. I would like to thank Jack Pfau, Claude Berkeneder, and Mark Boesch for sponsoring a Transplant Benefit in my behalf. I would also like to thank all of the people and local businesses that donated raffle items for the benefit, and I want to express my sincere appreciation to the community and to my friends and family for all of your many prayers and support. Your prayers and generosity has truly made a difference during this time in my life. I would also like to express a special thank you to all organ donors because your gift is truly a gift of life. Thank you all. Justin Uriarte Stevensville |
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