Hamilton speaks up: Recently published Letters to the Editor
Our round-up of letters published in the Ravalli Republic
The Senate let Trump off the hook again.
This seems to be a pattern in Trump's life. On Feb. 13, the Senate voted 57-43 to convict Trump. The Senate needed 67 votes or two-thirds of the Senate.
Now there is a January exception during the president's term in office to do anything he or she wants if the president does not agree with the results of the election. The attack on the Capitol can happen again and it will not be an impeachable offense. People lost their lives with the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6.
The thing that is most troubling is over the last four years we have became so desensitized to all the events that happen. I am referring to the behavior of the president of the United States.
We had a president that bribed a foreign country to interfere in our 2020 election. We had a president that spread his big lie on election fraud. We had a president that sent an angry mob to the Capitol to try to shut down our government and democracy, to kill our vice president, and the speaker of the house on Jan. 6. We had a president that demanded loyalty to him.
No matter how loyal you were to this president, if you said anything against him, he would throw you under the bus. I really feel sorry for the 43 senators that voted not to convict Donald Trump for insurrection.
— Robert Mahon, Corvallis
I would like to thank the volunteers that participated in the Covid-19 vaccination program at Marcus Daly Hospital on Saturday the 13th.
Everybody we spoke with, from people helping with parking and traffic control to the people administering the vaccine, were friendly and helpful. The organization for all aspects was incredible and very professionally done.
Thank you very much.
— Dan Smith, Darby
Why is our valley being overrun?
The quality of life is going downhill fast with traffic and noise pollution and this is just one area of concern with the airport expansion, as I've written to the FAA already, and flights over Victor have not stopped.
Why are we (Victor, as we've requested a review of our roads for stop signs and stop lights) ignored for standing up for safety and our quality of life while the rich get away with invading our space and privacy as homeowners creating unnecessary and annoying noise pollution in the last wilderness areas left.
It is illegal over Victor and all small townships. And should continue to be.
— Christina Young, Victor
The Water Forum's article, “Erosion project planned at Skalkaho Bend,” Ravalli Republic, Sunday, Feb. 14, depicts a park of unique grassland and views. Neither will exist when the plan is implemented.
Here is the reality:
Over 25 years the Bitteroot has moved eastward, eroding the banks along the park. More recently, according to the forum's own consultants, it has been sending more water into the westernmost channel and also using an increasingly well-developed chute channel — two facts challenging the need for the project.
The 1500-foot-long swale (5 football fields in length) will be fenced and have crossings at each end and only one other along its full length. It will be 20 feet wide — eventually an impenetrable willow thicket bisecting the existing grassland end to end! These grasslands are well-established deer, elk and moose corridors, and hosts to migratory and ground-nesting birds and small mammals.
Ninety-seven percent of the plantings will be willows whose mature height will be 10 feet (??). But interspersed with the willows will be 200 cottonwood, dogwood, aspen and serviceberry — one tree every seven feet whose mature height (over 50 feet) will determine the eventual height of the canopy. The incredible viewshed will not be maintained. (Visualize adjoining River Park!)
The beauty and unique qualities and usage of Skalkaho Bend Park will be irrevocably changed by proceeding with this hasty erosion project.
Please contact BWF at www.brwaterform.org, and the City of Hamilton at http://www.cityofhamilton.net to comment on this project.
— Kathy Wehrly, Hamilton
I am responding to an article written by Michelle McConnaha on mask mandates.
I am a trustee for Corvallis School District. She put in a number of quotes with supporting comments. She then simply stated that I was the “sole dissenting vote.”
I actually advocated to start a transition process for mask removal by the starting of the fourth quarter to give parents, teachers as well as students time to prepare and not transition in the middle of a quarter. It was clearly stated throughout the meeting.
My belief is that I am on the board to represent the community. The overwhelming sentiment of our community is to remove the mask mandate. This was shown through the survey as well as approximately the same percentages through emails and comments. My personal opinion really gives me only one vote like everyone else.
So, I represented the majority of the parents who entrusted us with their kids by casting my vote the way I did. I just believe in the democratic process. If the community would have overwhelmingly vote to keep the mask mandate then I would have put my personal opinion aside and voted for the will of the people I represent. It’s that simple.
The message from our community was clear. I respect how the other trustees voted and their sincere belief it was the best for our district. However, I feel that my “sole dissenting” vote needed clarification that was left out of the article.
— Mark Fournier, Corvallis
As I speak with constituents in my district and all across the state, it's clear that the overwhelming majority of Montanans are concerned about the privacy of their personal information and want more protection from mass government surveillance.
While technology makes our lives easier in many ways, it also brings severe privacy vulnerabilities for Montanans. Things like receiving health care through telehealth is a critical new development for all Montanans – especially those in rural areas. However, it also means your personal medical information is susceptible to an invasion of privacy, and the state legislature must make sure that your personal information is protected.
Unfortunately, tech companies and governments exploit everyday citizens because the Founders didn't foresee the digital era. Right now, the proper protections are not in place to uphold Montanans' privacy rights. So much of our information — financial information, medical information, and even our communication with family and friends — is stored electronically. It is critical to ensuring our privacy rights are protected in the digital age.
Thankfully Senate Republicans are taking action. This past week, Sen. Ken Bogner from Miles City, introduced Senate Bill 203, which would submit a constitutional amendment to Montana's voters to protect the privacy of our electronic data and communications. SB 203 updates our outdated laws that have not yet caught up to the realities of the 21st Century.
Article II, Section 11 of the Montana State Constitution already protects Montanans' persons, papers, homes, and effects from unreasonable searches and seizures, similar to the Fourth Amendment protections of the U.S. Constitution. Senate Bill 203 adds Montanans' "electronic data and communications" to that list of places and items that cannot be searched or seized by the government without a warrant based on probable cause.
Once put into law, Senate Bill 203 will make it explicitly clear that our digital information is protected from unreasonable government searches and seizures in our Constitution.
SB 203 builds on Republicans' successful work over several legislative sessions to protect Montanans' privacy. We've already required a warrant to access cellphone location data, a warrant to access electronic devices, and a warrant to access digital communications in state law. Senate Bill 203 would make those protections even more substantial by asking voters to insert them into the Montana Constitution rather than just in law. SB 203 will also ensure our privacy rights are protected while technology inevitably continues to advance and evolve.
By updating Montana's Constitution with expanded privacy protections, Senate Republicans are following through on our promises to prioritize protecting our privacy rights, and I'll be proud to support Senate Bill 203 once it comes to a vote.
The recent letter to the editor using the term “stupid” regarding the poor organization of the local hospital’s COVID vaccination process was beyond the definition of showing a lack of great intelligence or common sense both in appreciation for the difficult task and the language used to describe it.
My wife and I were scheduled for 1:05 p.m., the total time from leaving our car to returning to begin the 15 minute wait time was 24 minutes. Thanks to everyone for their efforts and taking time out of their weekend on a cold Saturday in February.
Also thanks to Jennifer for working late into the night to reach us by phone to make our appointments.
— Archie L Thomas, Merry Schrumpf, Corvallis
With so much bad news about the coronavirus surrounding us, I wanted to let you know a piece of good news. On Saturday, Feb. 13, a mass vaccination clinic was held at Marcus Daly Hospital. Approximately 1,000 individuals in high-risk groups were vaccinated in less than eight hours. I was lucky enough to be able to be a part of the fantastic group of people to help out.
My job was to help route foot traffic. The vast majority of people whom I spoke with said they were so thankful to get the vaccine, and that the hospital staff was very friendly and that the clinic was run very efficiently. I cannot agree enough.
On behalf of our entire community, I would like to thank everyone involved in putting on this clinic, from nursing staff, to administration, to kitchen staff and maintenance, to those in the pharmacy, and those in registration. This was a massive effort that took co-operation and compassion on so many levels. A special thank-you to the team I was on, whose leader, physical therapist, Pete, aka, "Parking Lot Pete," and his gang of parking patrol, who braved the brutal cold for most of the day to make sure everyone got in and out easily. We have an amazing hospital here in our little valley. They really are the best of the best!
— Ethan Zimmerman, Hamilton
This past Saturday, Feb. 13, a wonderful, cooperative effort took place in the Bitterroot. Many entities and volunteers organized to provide COVID-19 vaccine for nearly 1,000, mostly elderly, people.
The entire northeast back lot at Marcus Daly filled up. Flow was efficiently directed inside a clinic. Everyone proceeded, like clockwork, distanced, masked, with smiling eyes, through check-in, information, down a hall to individual rooms for painless, quick, shots. Every sector was efficient, cheerful and knowledgeable.
After the chaos and discord of the past year the whole event was heartening and a huge relief.
In celebration, I stopped off at Bitterroot Drug, to say thanks for getting me on the list, and buy a box of dark chocolate!
A sincere thank you to everyone who made this uplifting and lifesaving day such a success.
— Judith Fraser, Hamilton
Last Saturday dawned cold and snowy in the valley but there was great warmth coming from the large vaccination event at the Bitterroot Clinic. The community event was sponsored by the Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital, County Public Health Department, and most of the pharmacies in the valley.
From the moment we turned off of 10th Street into the hospital parking lot, there were smiling and organized people ready to help with everything from finding a parking space, getting registered, administering the shots and providing help moving back through the snow safely.
Everyone had a smile and welcoming word. This was the very best of our community and not only were 1000 vaccines administered in the shortest time possible, but the operation was a well-oiled machine. And 1000 essential vaccines were delivered efficiently. Here’s to the day when all are vaccinated!
A sincere thank you to each and everyone working on the vaccination operation and to those who made it possible. Thank you for ensuring my nonagenarian Mom was vaccinated. Congratulations on a very well done job!
— Paula Nelson, Darby
Many thanks to all those wonderful workers at Saturday’s COVID-19 vaccine clinic. Every one was so helpful and kind. What a great community this is!
— Erma Badt, Hamilton
When I moved to the valley 10 years ago, one of the first questions I asked was “does the Bitterroot Valley have an animal shelter?” Thankfully, the answer was yes!
Now, the Bitterroot Valley is about to have a new, state of the art animal shelter that supports all of Ravalli County and all the stray, lost, and unwanted animals that live here. We are so proud of this new shelter and want to make sure this community knows how much we appreciate their support.
Over the years, the Bitter Root Humane Association (BRHA) has had the support of local veterinarians, law enforcement, city and county leaders, businesses, nonprofits, volunteers, staff and donors that have helped us serve this community. It has been a miracle for this small community to maintain this nonprofit animal shelter for all these years, and now to have a new facility is an achievement that we can all celebrate.
Some of the highlights of the new shelter include:
• Separate intake and adoption areas that will reduce stress on humans and animals.
• Updated safety features including fire sprinklers and a surrounding access road.
• A similar footprint as our previous shelter, but all under one roof for the safety, comfort and protection of staff and animals.
• A higher efficiency building that will reduce energy and water costs.
• 32 dog kennels with attached outdoor areas, three cat rooms with sunny windows.
• Flexible housing to adapt to any situation or emergency.
• Reconfigured spaces to customize the needs of older animals, mamas with their babies, and to house sick animals separately.
• Carefully engineered air, lighting, and noise reduction systems that create a more peaceful and comfortable space that reduces stress.
• A scientifically sound structure that will last and offer our animals the best environment and opportunity to find lifelong homes.
The BRHA was first formed in 1972 by a group of local animal lovers. In the beginning, no formal “shelter” was used, and board members and volunteers kept animals in need at their own homes. In 1984, Countess Margarite Bessenyey donated land to the BRHA at our current location on Fairgrounds Road. Here we are, almost 40 years later, nearly ready to unveil a new shelter in which many have poured their hearts, minds, souls, and for some, their lives.
With the unwavering support of veterinarians in the valley, the BRHA was able to spay, neuter, and vaccinate thousands of dogs and cats over the years. Imagine for a moment what our valley would be like without these efforts?
From the very beginning, it was the efforts of the staff that made the shelter what it is today-dealing with critical care decisions, stress, heartbreak and disasters, each day, when most of us are not even sure we can go into an animal shelter, let alone work there.
Along with the staff, a critical component of our community has been the amazing shelter volunteers. From the dog walkers and socializers that brave the Montana elements to play, love and exercise the dogs, to the cat socializers who pet, comfort, and play with the cats and kittens, to the kitchen helpers who quietly provide their support to a sometimes burnt out and overwhelmed staff — these are the day-by-day heroes that keep us all going! Without the volunteers who do the special events, parades, gardening, as well as fundraising — we would not be where we are today.
Our Board members are volunteers as well — a true working board where it’s not unusual to volunteer more than 40 hours per week. The hard work of our current and past board members is one of the main reasons why there is new shelter soon to open.
We have been so fortunate to be able to work with Sletten Construction, a truly extraordinary company. We are also grateful to Paradigm Architects, who drew the plans for our building and have been there every step of the way. We also extend our gratitude to TrailWest Bank and their generous financial support of our new building. But please, don’t forget that we need your donations to finish this project!
While so many people, organizations and businesses have played an integral part of getting the shelter where it is today, it is you, this wonderful community that got us through. Your donations and support keep us afloat and we value, cherish, and protect every penny that you trust us with. Please join us in celebrating an achievement that we can all be proud of. Our new shelter opens soon, and we look forward to continuing serve this amazing community.
Michele Craig, BRHA Board of Directors, Capital Campaign Co-Chair
While everyone is familiar with Robin Hood as a character who stole from the rich to help the poor, few remember that his original crime was actually shooting “the King’s deer” to provide game meat for the poor subjects to eat. You see, in Robin Hood’s time, all wild game was property of the King.
When our founding fathers came to this land to break free from the Old World, the world of kings and lords and dukes, we also broke free from the notion of wild game as property of the elite. In this country, wildlife is governed by the Public Trust Doctrine. It is held in trust by the states for the benefit of all citizens, and not just the elite. As a result, every U.S. citizen is free to enjoy our pastimes of hunting and fishing in freedom, with no concern given to a person’s position in society.
Montana has such an abundance of wildlife that people travel from hundreds and thousands of miles away to partake in their harvest. And these nonresident hunters and fisherman pay for this privilege by spending roughly 10x the costs that residents do for the same license to hunt and fish.
While this cost is high, it represents a market value that is shared equally among all nonresidents willing to pay for the license. Senate Bill 143, recently introduced by Senator Jason Ellsworth, R-Hamilton, would reverse this legacy and create a modern-day system of elites by assigning 60% of the coveted nonresident tags to those hunters with the financial means to hire an outfitter. Almost 2/3 of the tags would no longer be attainable to those who lack the resources to pay a guide thousands of dollars to harvest 120 lbs. of venison.
Guides and outfitters play a valuable role in making the outdoors more accessible to those who need or prefer their services. They allow many folks a way to recreate safely and enjoyably in nature, and their services are well respected in the hunting and fishing community. But many citizens do not require guides to access public resources, and the bill would functionally privatize wildlife resources at the expense of the common man.
In writing for Orion, the Hunter’s Institute, I am writing for the benefit of all hunters who dream of taking up the chase in the beautiful land that is Montana. But I must admit that I have a personal stake in the game.
While I live in Spokane, Washington, each of my three biological sons have harvested their first deer in Montana. We can’t get there every year, but they all looked forward to the day when they would turn 12 and head to deer camp in Montana. Here they learned self-reliance, persistence, restraint, and how to make a clean harvest and bring home a bounty of healthy meat to share with the family. It was a right of passage, and the memories made on those trips will last a lifetime.
Since that time, our family has adopted five more children who are now coming of age. It saddens me to think that this new bill might put an end to our traditional coming of age hunt in Montana. When our family gathers, will only my older children have stories to share of windy Montana ridges in November? Stories of following tracks in the snow that eventually lead to the prize you have dreamed about for years, having watched your older siblings come home with coolers filled with venison and some modest antlers for the garage wall?
I am grateful to have lived in a country where these types of memories are not available only to the privileged and wealthy. And I would simply ask that these same opportunities would be maintained for my younger children, and for all Americans regardless of status.
A resident of Spokane, Washington, Harley McAllister works as a Project Manager, but is most alive when he is outdoors with his eight kids. He and his wife are authors of a series of guide books for engaging families with our National Parks titled “Adventuring with Kids”, and he also serves on board of Orion, the Hunter’s Institute. www.orionhunters.org
Here in Montana, we must protect our elections' integrity, but it is impossible to ensure that the person showing up to cast a ballot is a lawful voter without the right tools. To ensure our elections are safe and secure, strengthening voter identification requirements is a required step. That’s why I was proud to support Senate Bill 169 along with my Republican colleagues in the Senate.
Last November, Montanans gave us a clear mandate to pass stronger voter ID laws and ensure free and fair elections. As legislators, it is now our obligation to deliver what the overwhelming majority of Montanans voted for, and Senate Republicans will do so by requiring voter ID.
Senate Bill 169 establishes the requirement of a federal or state-issued photo ID to cast a ballot on Election Day, but to be clear, these laws will not prevent any Montanans from exercising their right to vote. For those who do not have a valid government ID, Senate Republicans are working to provide alternative ID forms.
Our goal is to restore integrity and trust in our elections and make Montana a national leader in free and fair elections and that’s what Senate Bill 169 accomplishes.
Many election clerks support voter ID legislation and several came to the Capitol in Helena to testify on behalf of stronger election security legislation. We should listen to them closely because these are the people on the frontlines of securing our elections, know where the pitfalls are, and know the most about the process.
Election security has never been more at risk, and this issue is at the forefront of Montanans' minds. That's a huge reason why our new Secretary of State, Christi Jacobsen, who campaigned on this very issue, received more votes than any other candidate in November. This is not by accident, and it must not be taken lightly.
And for those who say that election fraud is nonexistent, here are just a few proven cases. In 2019, a Mexican national was convicted of voter fraud and identity theft after using a deceased acquaintance's identity to vote in the California elections. And contrary to what you might expect, the gentleman was a registered Republican who voted for former President Trump in 2016. The Heritage Foundation's voter fraud database found 1,300 instances of voter fraud that led to more than 1,100 criminal convictions as well as several dozen civil penalties and diversion programs.
However, it goes deeper than just statistics, it’s about establishing trust in our elections, belief in the results, and ensuring electoral winners are declared without a shred of doubt.
We must restore faith in our democracy, and Senate Bill 169 is a huge step in the right direction.
Regardless of party affiliation, no one in Montana wants to see a single lawful voter disenfranchised or have any legal Montana voter’s voice minimized by any illegal votes. We all want the same thing — fair and free elections that cannot have their integrity called into question. I am proud to support SB 169 and move Montana closer to this reality.
On Jan. 16, 2021, about 40 people joined together to stand for an hour on the sidewalks of Hamilton to declare their opposition to government-imposed lockdowns, face-mask mandates, anti-social distancing and the COVID aberration in general.
This event, sponsored by Face of Freedom (https://face-of-freedom.org) was intended to send the message that we are free people, we are here, we are not going to shut up, we are not going to go away, and we are going to make our voices heard about this issue.
We will be hosting another proclamation of freedom on Saturday, March 13, 2021, at 1 p.m. in Hamilton at the intersection of Ravalli and Rte. 93., outside the Coffee Cup Café. If you missed the first stand, then this is your opportunity to get in on the action. Signs will be provided and we would be thrilled if people had to share because we ran short.
Are you tired of being told to wear a mask? Tired of being ordered to stay away from others? Tired of hearing that your job is not “essential?” Tired of being forced to close your business? Tired of being told to stay home and away from church, the theater, or your favorite “watering hole?” If that is the case, then you ought to move yourself and join us in making the statement that we are not going to put up with this any longer.
Make your voice count. Join us. Contact us. For more information: https://face-of-freedom.org/
— Roger Mitchell, Stevensville
Consumers have the right to know the origin of their beef purchases, and ranchers have the right to a fair and competitive market. This is a reasonable expectation.
However, since 2015 Congress specifically exempted beef and pork from labeling laws. Consumers do not know where their beef comes from, and ranchers do not have fair prices.
If you are a consumer learning of this for the first time, you might be incredulous. The last time you purchased beef from the supermarket, the labels clearly stated “USDA Graded” and “Product of the USA.” Sadly, those labels are meaningless. The USDA label does not mean that the meat actually came from this country. Beef or pork imported from any other country can legally have a label stating “Product of the USA” simply if it is re-packaged for retail within our borders.
This is why the Montana Cattlemen’s Association, the Montana Farmers Union, and the Northern Plains Resource Council are allied to ask that the Montana Legislature pass a Montana Country of Origin Labeling law. It is true, that to be fully effective, COOL needs re-instatement on the national level, but you have to start somewhere. If Montana, whose largest industry is cattle, cannot stand up for consumers and ranchers, who will?
A skeptical reader might say: “Wait a minute here, there must be more to the story. Why did Congress exempt beef and pork from the labeling law?” The proximate reason was that the World Trade Organization directed the United States government to.
The actual reasons were that the criminally convicted family who owns Brazil-based JBS (the largest beef packing corporation in the world) along with the Chinese owners of Smithfield, (the US’s largest pork packing corporation), profit from the lack of COOL. JBS imports beef from Brazil, while Smithfield wants to export pork from China into the US. These foreign interests make money by slapping a “Product of USA” label on lesser quality imported meats. More money, in fact, than beef produced by hard-working Montana ranchers.
Many consumers may be fine buying imported beef, and that should be their right. However, what is not right is buying Brazilian beef while being led to believe it was born, raised, and processed in the USA. You might think that it would be a no-brainer to pass a MT COOL bill in the Legislature of the State of Montana, where cattle is the most important industry, but it is not. The 2019 Legislature refused to consider COOL.
It is hard to explain why individual legislators don’t want consumers to know the origin of their beef, but that is in fact what happened. Clearly COOL is not in the interests of multinational corporations who prop up this rigged system that cheats family ranchers and everyday consumers with “legally fraudulent” labels.
Representative Frank Smith is sponsoring the Montana Country of Origin Placarding Act at the 2021 Montana Legislature. The bill, if it isn’t killed by foreign meatpacking interests, will ask retailers to make a reasonable effort to display a sign at the meat case with country-of-origin information for beef and pork.
Why wait on the federal government to get its act together? It’s time for the Montana legislature to take the bull by the horns. Consumers have the right to know where their meat comes from, and ranchers have the right to a free and fair market. It is just that simple. Contact your legislators today and tell them to support the Montana Country of Origin Placarding Act.
Gilles Stockton, President, Montana Cattlemen’s Association
Walter Schweitzer, President, Montana Farmers Union
Jeanie Alderson, Chair, Northern Plains Resource Council
The Montana Legislature is leveling one of the most aggressive attacks on public hunters we’ve ever seen under the guise of protecting gun rights.
HJ 5, sponsored by Rep. Brad Tschida, R-Lolo, states that taxing firearms is unconstitutional, and unenforceable. Apparently, Rep. Tschida and supporters of this measure don’t like Montana’s abundant wildlife, the habitat that supports it and the world-class hunting we all enjoy.
That’s because we’ve had a tax on firearms for 84 years. It’s called the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937, most commonly known to hunters as the Pittman-Robertson Act. It’s named after the two visionaries in Congress who passed the measure, and it’s one of the most successful programs in our nation’s history.
The Pittman-Robertson fund was passed by Congress in the throes of the Great Depression. Hunters stepped up when times were incredibly tough and said they were willing to be taxed for something they value — wildlife. That takes habitat.
In the eight decades since, those funds have conserved key wildlife refuges. We’ve used it for habitat restoration. And it funds state wildlife agencies whose biologists employ scientific management. The program has strict sideboards on how the funding can used, and that accounts for its success.
In total “PR” funds have pumped more than $18.8 billion into state wildlife agencies. The results have been nothing short of miraculous for restoring wildlife after the utter destruction caused by habitat degradation and market hunting in the 19th Century.
In Montana at the turn of the 20th Century, there were about 5,000 elk left. Today we have an estimated 170,000 elk. Deer were almost wiped out too, and antelope were saved only because a few ranchers protected the last remaining herds. Hunters joined landowners and state officials in conservation efforts that continue today.
We use PR funds as matching dollars for our best state-based conservation and access program, Habitat Montana, to complete habitat purchases. Just look at Montana’s system of world-class game ranges, which provide winter range for deer, elk and other wildlife, and public hunting access those public lands provide. This wildlife abundance didn’t just happen. It took a lot of hard work by hunters, who are happy to pay the tax.
I personally have a cabinet full of rifles and shotguns that I paid the 11 percent PR tax on. I’m glad to — because I get to use those guns every year on deer, elk, antelope and upland bird hunts. What good are a bunch of guns without abundant wildlife and public access?
This measure states “that the taxation of privately held guns is unconstitutional and does not have the power of law and is, therefore, unenforceable.” It reads like a trial attorney’s dream. This is an open invitation for people who are opposed to hunting to sue the state and prevent us from receiving our PR funds — which make up a huge portion of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks budget.
HJ 5 shows that when hunters don’t pay attention and stand up for our best conservation programs, they’re open for attack. Don’t let anyone who supports this measure tell you they’re for hunters. In fact, they’re working to destroy our sporting traditions.
Nick Gevock is a lifelong hunter who serves as conservation director for the Montana Wildlife Federation
We got our car stuck after a Sunday cruise beyond the pavement of West Fork Road.
There we were, about 38 miles back from 93 on a road without cell phone service. We decided to walk, in hopes to get a lift to find reception. After a few miles, the sun started to fade, and desperation set in.
Just then, a truck drives up hauling ATVs. They stop. We learn they were expecting to find us, as they had to navigate around our stuck vehicle. We apologize and ask if we could hitch a ride to service? They suggest to free our car a few miles back.
Moments later, their buddies appear, hauling even more ATVs on their trailer. They say they’ll help, too. The group drives us back and make quick work of freeing the car. They refuse any money and wouldn’t accept a beer tab (what?!).
We are truly humbled with their selflessness and readiness to help. They helped us when we needed it the most. I do not know what we would have done without them.
This past year has been difficult and divisive and lonely. I feel so grateful and indebted to have benefited from the kindness of strangers. Thank you to the group of folks that did not think twice about helping us. We will definitely be better prepared and ready to pay it forward. I hope one of your buddies reads this and buys you a beer or two!
— Kelsey McMullen, Missoula
As the 67th Legislature convened in early January, we did so with Republican majorities in both chambers and our first Republican governor in 16 years. But we also assumed office at an inflection point for Montana.
As the COVID pandemic swept across the country, unfortunately, many Americans handed over their rights to the government without a second thought. This led to a drastic expansion of the size and scope of the government's control over our daily lives.
In only a matter of weeks, the government banned law-abiding citizens from leaving their homes to earn a living, forced businesses to shut down, and mandated mask-wearing. This isn't freedom. We won't accept this type of bureaucratic overreach as the new normal, and the Republican caucus is taking action to rein government and restore liberty in Montana.
We must stand up to this type of government intervention at every turn. If we do not, then Montana will no longer be the last best place. Our Montana values put freedom and personal responsibility ahead of all else — not the Helena bureaucracy or federal government's orders. The freedom to make choices like whether to wear or not to wear a mask, keep your business open or close it down, or choose to go to work or to stay home is what defines the Montana spirit.
Together, Senate Republicans will combat government overreach and relentlessly defend your liberties. Upholding your constitutional freedoms is what binds us together as conservatives, and we remain united in this mission on behalf of Montanans across the state.
And we've been making substantial progress so far. Senate Bill 65 is heading to the governor's desk. This bill will protect Montana's small businesses from costly lawsuits, safely reopen the economy, get people back to work, and get life back to normal.
Senate Bill 65 is essential to re-energizing the economy, moving Montana past the pandemic and out of the shadow of heavy-handed government overreach. And, most notably, SB 65 is the key to removing the mask mandate. Once SB 65 becomes law, Montana will have the necessary legal framework in place to responsibly reopen the economy and kiss the days of mandated mask-wearing goodbye.
Senate Bill 132, sponsored by Senator Keith Regier, is another timely example of Senate Republicans' leadership ensuring freedom for Montanans. The bill prevents you from being forced to taking a vaccine that you do not want. Despite facing opposition from our liberal colleagues who favor government mandates over personal responsibility, we passed SB 132 with each Republican member's support.
Additionally, I am sponsoring House Bill 108 in the Senate, which will protect Montanans' private property rights. The bill requires hunters to gain permission from the landowner, the lessee, or their agents before hunting on private property. The law should always protect your property, and this bill strengthens the protection of your personal property.
Freeing Montanans from the grasp of massive government control over your daily life, protecting your rights to private property, and safeguarding your ability to make a living is at the core of our caucus’s mission this session.
We are moving the needle in the right direction, and we will continue to do so as we round the corner on the pandemic and lead the Montana Comeback.
Sen. Jason Ellsworth
SD 43, Hamilton
We’re one month into the legislative session. The highlight of the week was Governor Gianforte delivering his first State of the State address where he laid out his Montana Comeback Plan. As the Governor said, "If there's anything this year has taught us it's that Montanans can handle anything. The State of our State is strong!"
This week, the House acted on several pieces of legislation to reduce crime, strengthen our elections, and protect life.
House Bill 200 will ban “sanctuary cities” in the state of Montana. House Bill 223 will ensure that Montana is not a “sanctuary state.”
The goals of these bills are to assist federal law enforcement and immigration officials and keep Montana communities safe in the event an undocumented immigrant with a criminal history comes to the state. The House Judiciary Committee heard those bills this week.
Several bills are being considered to strengthen Montana’s elections. These include bills to require photo IDs and eliminate same-day voter registration, among others. Election integrity is crucial and Montanans must have confidence in their election procedures.
The Montana House passed four pro-life bills this week that will now go to the Senate. HB 136 prevents abortions after five months of pregnancy when the child can feel pain. HB 140 allows women to be offered the opportunity to view their ultrasound and listen to the fetal heartbeat before having an abortion. HB 167 creates a referendum to establish the Born Alive Infant Protection Act. HB 171 requires in-person visits for prescribing chemical abortion drugs.
Michele Binkley (R-Hamilton) is the Representative for House District 85
Give a lot of love to our little kids for Valentines Day.
Dolly Parton believes that if you can read, you can do anything, dream anything and be anything. Help her promote the love of reading to our youngest children.
Your donation of just $25 will help provide free age-appropriate books mailed to a child's home in Ravalli County every month for a year. And if you know someone with a child from birth to five, encourage them to sign their child up. To donate or register a child, go to imaginationlibraryravallicounty.com or call us at 406-361-8012.
— Syble Solomon, Coordinator, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Ravalli County
I’m embarrassed
“Antony Blinken Orders LGBT Flags Flown at U.S. Embassies” — Educationviews.org, February 1, 2021.
In ordering the homosexual banner to fly next to the American flag at our foreign embassies, our national government has declared to the world that America has abandoned her traditional American core values of honoring God, honoring the family, and honoring our country.
The Secretary of State has publicly declared that America has rejected the Bible’s objective moral standards.
He has publicly declared that America no longer values true wisdom and virtue.
He has publicly declared that America is no longer good, and America will no longer be great.
This Federal government has abandoned me and my family.
— Dennis Hicks, Hamilton
Like so many Montanans, I grew up with a rifle in one hand and a shotgun in the other.
I converted my love of shooting into a 25-year career in the firearms industry. I helped build an iconic international gun company. I sold millions of guns. I've won awards, even been a finalist for the “Firearms Industry Person of the Year,” which is the industry’s highest honor. It’s an award that has also been bestowed on firearms royalty like Charlton Heston and Bill Ruger.
I've got a long history with guns, but I never forgot the lessons that my father taught me. “Be safe, be responsible, guns can take a life in an instant.”
As a boy I learned the rules in hunter’s safety class and I followed the mandated safety procedures before every single gun industry event. HB102 does away with this kind of common sense. If enacted, people without any permit could carry concealed guns into bars and college campuses across our state. Of course the sponsors of the bill mandate that permits are required around their offices in Helena, but not for the rest of us. Safety is important, but I guess it's only important for them.
I know first hand that we need to minimize the likelihood of violence, not increase it. This spring my young son was attacked in Kalispell by armed “Second Amendment Patriots” at a local peaceful demonstration. They used their guns to frighten and intimidate. I stepped in to defend my son and it slowly diffused, but the situation could have gone very wrong. I shudder to think what might have happened if alcohol or the emotion of late night college parties would have been involved.
I am among the many Montanans who own and appreciate guns, but I also know that citizens of our state understand we must also be advocates for responsibility.
Montana boasts of a wonderful common sense and deep down all of us know that protecting our rights also means avoiding extremist policies that only increase the likelihood of bloodshed. Montana House Bill 102 will not make us safer. It is not a pro gun bill. It is an anti-responsibility bill.
I believe strongly in the second amendment, I own plenty of guns, I shoot with my boys every chance I get and I believe in the right to protect my family. But I also believe in responsibility, safety, training and common sense. This bill is the equivalent of waving flames over open gasoline; the sort of action every ranch kid like me knows is reckless. Permitless concealed carry, guns on college campuses and in bars? These are policies that make gun tragedy more likely and there is nothing patriotic about that.
Ryan Busse was raised on a ranch where he learned to hunt and shoot. He converted a love for guns into an award-winning 25-year career in the firearms industry where he helped build the iconic gun company Kimber while serving as its vice president. Busse has also served as board chair for Montana Conservation Voters and as North American Board Chair for Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. He is a writer, speaker, conservationist, outdoorsman and amateur chef. He lives in Kalispell with his family.
As legislators work to serve you each day in Helena, our responsibility to Montanans is to help empower people to defend themselves from harm, whether it be physical or financial, without infringing on the freedoms that make Montana the last best place.
Two important pieces of legislation are currently making their way through the legislature to protect all Montanans and make the Treasure State a safer, more secure place to live.
I'm sponsoring Senate Bill 114 to protect Montanans’ homes by increasing the homestead exemption limit by $100,000 — a 40% increase in your protected property value.
Currently, Montana Homestead Declaration protects up to $250,000 in home value against most creditors' claims. Filing a homestead exemption can help you stay in your home if you fall on serious financial hard times. However, with Montana housing prices and property values rising so rapidly, it’s clear that the current exemption amount isn't high enough.
That's why I spearheaded the effort to raise the Homestead exemption to $350,000. SB 114 will take care of homeowners facing bankruptcy and ensure Montanans get a fair shake from creditors in times of hardship. The Senate recognized this as common sense and needed and supported my bill unanimously this week.
In addition to looking after Montanans’ homes and pocketbooks, legislative Republicans are strengthening your Second Amendment rights by supporting a ‘permitless’ carry gun bill, House Bill 102.
HB 102 will remove state barriers for individuals to exercise their constitutional right to self-defense and modernize Montana's antiquated permitted and permitless carry laws to reflect safe carrying of firearms in the 21st Century.
HB 102 will enhance our safety by expanding the legal ability to provide for our defense and eliminating government-mandated places where only criminals are armed and where citizens are unable to exercise their fundamental right to defend themselves and others.
All of Montana's neighboring states have some form of permitless carry, and conceal carry is proven to be safer than open carry in modern times. HB 102 brings Montana up to speed with the rest of the region, makes firearm carrying safer in the 21st Century, bolsters our Second Amendment right to bear arms, and preserves the right of self-defense.
As these two bills make their way to Governor Gianforte’s desk, legislative Republicans are putting the protection of Montanans first and moving Montana forward while upholding the rugged, individualistic spirit that defines our treasured way of life. I’m proud to help protect life and property this legislative session.
Do you hunt with out-of-state family and friends? Do you hunt private lands without an outfitter or guide? Have you been applying for a Missouri River Breaks or Elkhorns bull tag every single year? If so, you better pay attention.
Senate Bill 143, sponsored by Sen. Jason Ellsworth, R-Hamilton, would turn the vast majority of non-resident big game licenses offered in Montana to “outfitter sponsored” tags favoring hunters with money who use outfitters. It would also create landowner licenses, and require that one quarter of special permits for coveted hunting districts go to people with no preference points. These are major changes to our license allocations that have no input from Montana hunters.
Montana resident hunters need to know that this bill would result in a dramatic loss of their hunting opportunity. People who come from all over the country to hunt Montana should be concerned they will lose the vast majority of their opportunity for a do-it-yourself hunt.
Outfitter-sponsored licenses for non-resident hunters creates more incentive for outfitters to lease up large ranches for their operations. That means far less land available to Montanans for hunting. Once outfitters know they have a guaranteed license for clients, they will continue to add to the number of acres leased.
Already in Montana, more than 6.5 million acres are leased for exclusive hunting operations. This along with landowner-sponsored licenses to be sold with exclusive access to private lands puts more land off limits to the average Montanan, as well as do-it-yourself non-resident hunters.
As more ranches are leased or access is limited to those willing to pay, the harvest of cow elk on those ranches is limited as outfitted/paying hunters want to harvest bulls. As we’ve learned from past experience, without adequate public access on private lands during the general season, our elk numbers will continue to grow. We can hunt elk for six months of the year and still not get the harvest across the landscape needed for effective management.
This bill will push non-outfitted hunters onto already crowded public lands and reduce opportunity for hunting elk during the general season. It’s the first, major step toward privatization of the public’s wildlife. It would severely hurt hunter-landowner relations, cripple effective wildlife management and ultimately harm our ranching and farming industry by leading to game damage by elk and deer. And it will be followed by measures to limit resident licenses to further this agenda. This is just one of the bills pushed by outfitters this session to tailor opportunity to their operations.
These bills will destroy the Montana in which everyone — regardless of social status — can afford to hunt. It runs counter to Montana’s longstanding tradition of working together, when hunters and landowners form partnerships that benefit both parties. The government should not be in the business of guaranteeing any business customers, especially when it comes to allocating a public resource.
This bill should die, so that Montanans can get back to working on solid ideas that bring people together, not tear them apart to favor one special interest above others. Remember the deer, elk and other big game of the state belong to all of us, not favored special interests. Please contact your legislators and tell them to vote no on SB 143 to keep Montana the last best place for public hunters.
Tom Puchlerz is president of the Montana Wildlife Federation board. He lives near Stevensville. Puchlerz is married with two children, two grandchildren, and two English setters. Retired after 38 years with the US Forest Service as a biologist and administrator with assignments in Montana, Wyoming, Oregon, Washington and Alaska, Puchlerz is a member of numerous local and national wildlife and fisheries conservation organizations. He is an avid hunter, angler, and advocate for wild places and wild things.
On Sunday the 24th Mr. McLean stated in "Letters to the Editor" that "...censoring certain voices over others will only increase the likelihood of violence..."
The First Amendment states Congress shall not make any law against free speech or abridge it in any way. However we have laws against yelling "fire" at a movie. Yelling fire is a lie if there is no fire. Yet Trump lied everyday he was in office. And so did his followers and some in Congress leading to five deaths at the "Stop the Steal" insurrection.
If our government lies to us and leads us to death, shouldn't we have a law against certain free speech? Liars should be censored. I think a law should be passed that any government official that lies should lose their job, benefits and be fined and jailed. Truth and justice matter.
Mr. McLean also stated "...conservatives feel they have been stripped of their ability to lodge complaint, discuss, defend or otherwise debate...". Well woop-de-do! So have liberals and Democrats for many years. I and others have sent emails and letters to our Representatives and received in return form letters which don't address the facts. We may have the freedom of speech but if no one addresses our grievances and concerns, what good is free speech if no one listens?
Mr. McLean wrote, "... individuals have been able to sort through information and decide what is true and what is not." Then why does one third of the country believe and act upon lies from the past president? If people are brain washed over and over by lies from their leaders, how can they decide what is true?
Also note that according to our First Amendment we have the right to peacefully assemble. Why is it then when the BLM folks peacefully assembled they are beaten, sprayed with mace and thrown in jail. When Trump rioters stormed Congress and violently trashed the place and killed a guard, they were greeted with open doors and asked politely to leave. Is this the justice we vowed when we said the Pledge of Allegiance?
— Mark Snider, Hamilton
I am commenting on the proposed new trails on the Darby Ranger District.
I am opposed to the creation of additional trails on the Bitterroot National Forest, because the existing trails inventory is under-maintained or not maintained adequately. There is no reason to build more trail on the forest if the Forest Service is unwilling or unable to maintain the existing inventory.
Two cases in point.
The Camas Lake trail. The section above the road and past the bridge is washed out, needs additional water bars, the second creek crossing needs to be replaced and the first bridge repaired, there is surface water running over the trail tread, the turnpikes are falling apart and the geotextiles need to be replaced.
The upper Little Rock Creek trail is in dire straits going to the lake. The middle section of this trail looks like a bomb went off on it with early season creeks flowing across and down the trail location. The trail is indistinguishable from the creek(s) in places. It is difficult to even follow the trail thru this section. If it were not for some sporadic flagging, and even with the flagging, picking up the trail beyond the damaged sections is difficult.
In both these examples, the erosion and runoff caused by lack of trail maintenance is impacting downstream habitat especially during runoff times of the year.
Stop building more trails that you won’t maintain until you catch up on the long standing, past due work already out there.
— Tom Kresan, Hamilton
Montana consistently ranks at the bottom of the country in Internet connectivity — that's inexcusable. There's no question that we can do better, and we must do better for the sake of our economy as a whole and those living in our rural communities who need broadband access to thrive in the 21st Century.
Rural Internet has become a necessity as many Montana families rely on it for telework, healthcare, and their children's education. It's time that Helena help deliver broadband to every corner of the state.
Fixing this issue is critical to Montana's future, which is why it's part of the "Roadmap to the Montana Comeback" laid out by Governor Gianforte. For years, Democrat policies have blocked any progress on this issue by way of Steve Bullock's veto pen.
But now, Republicans in Helena are unified in moving Montana forward. With the first Republican governor in 16 years, the legislature has the incredible opportunity to pass conservative legislation that will make a real impact on Montanans' lives for years to come.
Now we can pass conservative laws that will make a noticeable difference for Montanans by making the Treasure State competitive again. Cultivating a business-friendly environment in the last best place will modernize and grow our economy, allowing Montanans to reap the benefits of the private sector's efficiency, ingenuity and innovation.
That's why I'm sponsoring Senate Bill 51 — to ensure Montana's continuing prosperity by providing accessible and affordable broadband through property tax relief.
Greater broadband accessibility and affordability are vital to any competitive economy of the 21st Century. Montana's continuing prosperity relies upon its ability to embrace and adapt to accommodate modern economic and technological trends.
SB 51 welcomes telecom companies to deploy the last mile of Internet connections in the rural areas and communities that make Montana unique. Not only will the bill initially incentivize companies to build more broadband infrastructure across Montana, but SB 51 also provides long-term solutions by requiring companies to use their savings from the program in building out cables even further.
The high-tech sector is the fastest growing industry in Montana, and we must support this industry by passing Senate Bill 51. Providing rural broadband allows tech businesses to bring more good-paying jobs to our rural communities, revitalize local economies across the Treasure State, and enable all Montanans to enjoy reliable Internet access no matter where they live.
Senate Bill 51 will deliver rural Montana access to the same opportunities as the rest of the state, allow our entire state economy to evolve in the 21st Century, and boost all industries, from agriculture to high-tech, from Sula to Sidney.
Last summer I sensed impending crisis in the media, tech and ultimately free speech.
It appeared no matter who wins various elections this crisis was imminent. Even still, many are horrified at how quickly it has happened. It's imperative that we fight the asymmetrical censorship of ideas, thoughts, speech and demonstration.
Like nearly all Americans, we vehemently oppose violence of all kinds. But, censoring certain voices over others will only increase the likelihood of more violence, not decrease.
When children don't feel heard they get louder and if still not feeling heard they act out. A form of acting out occurred during the BLM protests and most recently with the Stop the Steal protests. Unlike BLM, conservatives feel they have been stripped of their ability to lodge complaint, discuss, defend or otherwise debate in the public square. This feeling of being silenced only increases anger, suspicion, distrust and helplessness.
Talking things out in the public square has been a way for people to de-escalate discord.
As some have said before, there's a cost to free speech. Until the last years, individuals have been able to sort through information and decide what is true and what is not. Our freedoms and democracy are in the hands of only a few gigantic politically motivated media and tech companies. Presently, it appears to many that they and the ruling class are one in the same.
Starting today, I urge you to respectfully and humbly express your thoughts to your friends and neighbors and maybe a larger audience no matter your views. We must use our right to free speech while we still can.
— Beau McLean, Stevensville
Here in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley, we’ve counted ourselves lucky during the last months of the coronavirus pandemic.
We have eight small towns, plenty of open spaces, and invested partners and residents who have strived to make our valley a safe and welcoming place to live and play. We’ve also been lucky to have the Yellowstone TV series filming in our valley and the economic boost it brings to businesses, both small and large.
Throughout the summer and fall, the Ravalli County TBID worked to ensure that visitors knew Montana was open, while encouraging them to follow local, county and state health guidelines, as we made efforts to strike a balance between keeping our communities safe, ensuring local businesses were able to stay open, and that the livelihood of our destination was able to stay intact.
Efforts have included regular newsletters, social media messaging, an up-to-date website, and personal outreach from the TBID. While we know the last several months have been a wild ride and have been filled with frustrations, stress, worry, differing opinions and more, there’s nowhere else we’d rather work to support and promote.
Looking ahead to the coming months and years, we’re filled with hope, optimism, and the return of leisure and business travel to the Bitterroot Valley. From our board of volunteers to each of you, thank you for your efforts, dedication, and passion to keep and make this a beautiful place for locals and visitors alike. May 2021 bring health, kindness, prosperity and more.
— TBID Board of Trustees: Christian Byard, Toni Coursey, Jeanne Davidson, Robyn Dethlefsen, and Kristine Komar
There are more than a few that argue that justice for the wrongs committed by Trump and his supporters should be set aside in the interest of bridging the deep divide in this country.
That divide was deepened by months of lies purported by Trump, his lawyers, and even members of Congress. It stands to reason, therefore, that the first order of business to heal the divide is to first correct the mistruths.
All political leaders should stand up and acknowledge that the presidential election was not stolen and there was no significant fraud. The public needs to hear our political leaders demonstrate true leadership and speak truth to lies. Only then can we move toward healing the divide.
— Steve Schmidt, Darby
House Bill 112 requires athletic teams at public institutions to be segregated by participant’s sex assigned at birth.
I was born in Victor and I graduated with honors from Corvallis High School. I did speech and debate and junior rodeo. I served my community with the Rotary Club through Interact. I got my degree in Bozeman, but my husband and I soon returned to the Bitterroot to raise our daughter, Faye. We love it here. This is our home.
I am a transgender man. My sex at birth was female, but I now have facial hair, an Adam’s apple, a deep voice, and other characteristics of biological men, because I started taking testosterone at nineteen.
Testosterone increases muscle mass and physical strength. I am now a first year law student at UM. I love to run. If I were to run track at UM — and be placed on a women’s team — women would be at a disadvantage.
HB 112 makes no sense. It will not help girls like my daughter. It will hurt them. Don’t support this. Reach out to Jason Ellsworth, 406-360-0009, and Michelle Binkley, 406-375-0291, to make your voice heard. I am open to answer any questions you may have at everett.johns@umontana.edu.
— Everett Johns, Bitterroot Valley
In reference to the Opinion, "Get Out of the Weeds," by Col Sperry, USAF (Ret.), of Jan. 17, 2021; I read this piece with interest and noted references to the U.S. Constitution requiring correction.
The author states that the Constitution was ratified only after the Bill of Rights was added. This is not correct. The Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788 after New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it. The first ten amendments (The Bill of Rights) were ratified by three-fourth of the States on Dec. 15, 1791.
The author may be referring to the Massachusetts Compromise of February 1788 that stipulated amendments protecting freedoms (speech, religion and the press) be immediately proposed upon ratification of the Constitution. This was done in the first Congress by James Madison who introduced 17 amendments. Of these, Congress adopted 12 on Sept. 25, 1789 and sent them to the states for ratification. Ten of these, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on Dec. 15, 1791.
The second is the author’s reading of Article V. He is correct in saying there are two ways to propose amendments to the Constitution. The first is by a two-thirds vote of each house of Congress. The second is by two-thirds of state legislatures petitioning Congress to call a special convention for the purpose of proposing amendments. He omits, however, that under either method, Constitutional amendments are added to the Constitution only after three-quarters of the states have ratified such proposed amendments.
A comment on a balanced budget constitutional amendment proposal. It would require rigorous definition and robust debate. I note that 34 of 50 state legislatures (two-thirds) would be needed for Congress to call a convention and 38 states (three-fourths) would be required to ratify any such amendment.
— Mary E Slocum, Victor
The hypocrisy has not been lost on me when thinking about those in support of the St. Francis Church project and their views on the “property rights” of the church.
I suspect those views are shared to some extent by several of the ZBA members along with some of the city staff who have been placed in charge of review of this project.
My concern is whether those individuals recognize that those “rights” were also given to the citizens of Hamilton. In 1894, the alley right of way, as all alley right of way on the original plat were “granted and donated to the use of the public forever."
The alley right of way that bisects the church’s property does not belong to the Roman Catholic Church and never will. The “rights” of the citizens of Hamilton should be respected.
— Ty Capelle, Hamilton
The Bitterroot Valley is one of the most beautiful areas in Montana.
Montanans' say they cherish this land but that isn't completely true. Hamilton has a big trash and junk problem.
Code enforcement does not enforce the law and ordinances of the city. Too passive, which is reflected on many of our streets. I understand some people don't have the means to clean up their properties but their is no effort from the city to provide help.
The rest is pure laziness, some people don't have any pride for the valley or the city. This includes the many slum landlords that take rent money but never improve living conditions for their renters.
Even if you want to clean up you have to haul trash to Bitterroot Disposal. The minimum charge for a little load in a pick up is around $26. Trash pick up is already too high. Can't the city provide some dumpsters for trash clean up for the community? Put them at the city shops where they can be regulated. If Hamilton can't afford that every week we're in big trouble.
I have lived and traveled around the world and have seen the same thing happening here as most old towns. The city and county will begin to invest all attention and funds to the new developments and the old areas will suffer for it. Look at your streets, curbs and gutters, take a drive and really look. Help your city.
— Mike Meatovich, Hamilton
