Thanks, Clarice
Recently, Clarice Ryan gave us a bit of a surprise when she decided not to seek reelection to the Bigfork Land Advisory Committee for this next term.
As most people around Bigfork and the County Planning Office have known for many years, Clarice has been in constant motion as we collectively addressed our most important growth planning subjects. She is the very definition of an informed citizen — the bedrock of our democratic form of government. She listens to the views of others, and is absolutely tireless at working on Flathead Valley’s growth issues. I have not always agreed with Clarice, but I have always admired her level of effort and dedication to this important work. Please join me in offering her a special thank you for it. She cares deeply about this community and has worked for it tirelessly.
Don Loranger
Bigfork
Punish snowmobilers
I am writing to express many of my thoughts regarding the recent events involving three individuals snowmobiling illegally in Jewel Basin. The unlawful activity of these three local snowmobilers not only violated a space reserved for wildlife sanctuary and quiet recreation, but put the lives of many volunteers (including one of my close friends) at risk as they braved darkness and high avalanche danger to look for the buried snowmobiler. To my knowledge, the survivor has expressed no remorse for his actions and has expresssed no public thanks for all those who volunteered their time to rescue him. These indviduals include the Flathead County Search and Rescue and the Flathead Nordic Ski Patrol.
This group of snowmobilers were intimately familiar with the area, knowing full well being there on snowmobiles WAS and IS a violation of federal law. They have previously violated this closure to motor vehicles before. From this information and reviewing their past history, one can only assume that the avalance survivor and his companions have learned no lessson from the incident and are likely to repeat this criminal behavior. I believe that the Forest Service needs to fine the three snowmobilers the maximum of $5,000 and confiscate the snowmobiles they used to commit the crime. Otherwise, snowmobilers will fear no punishment for unlawful behavior and even more people’s lives will be put at risk in attempts to rescue unlawful thrill-seekers in the back-country.
Poaching big game out of season is punishable by fines, loss of hunting privileges, and confiscations of the gun and automobile used in committing the crime. Equal consideration for the protection of natural resources, public health, and public welfare should be given when motor vehicles are operated in areas closed to their use.
Thank you for your consideration of my thoughts and concerns.
Cindie Jobe
Kalispell
I was most disturbed to read about the snowmobiler caught in the avalanche in the Jewel Basin Hiking Area recently. This is only a week or two after two snowmobilers were killed in the Edith Lakes Basin on the Helena National Forest, another area off-limits to snowmobiles. Thankfully, the snowmobiler buried by the avalanche in Jewel Basin survived.
This latest snowmobile trespass and avalanche incident must be dealt with and the perpetrators punished to the full extent of the law. The Forest Service needs to fine the three snowmobilers the maximum of $5,000 and confiscate the snowmobiles they used to commit the trespass. Otherwise, snowmobilers will fear no punishment for unlawful behavior and even more people’s lives will be put at risk in attempts to rescue unlawful thrill-seekers in the back country.
The trespass in Jewel Basin by three snowmobilers not only violated a fragile area reserved for wildlife security and quiet recreation, but also put the lives of scores of volunteers at risk as they braved darkness and high avalanche danger to look for the buried snowmobiler.
The group of snowmobilers who illegally entered Jewel Basin were intimately familiar with the area, knew full well that they were violating federal law, and are suspected by authorities of having violated the area closure to motor vehicles before.
Poaching big game out of season is punishable by fines, loss of hunting privileges, and confiscation of the gun and automobile used in committing the crime. Equal consideration should be given to protection of natural resources, public health, and public welfare when motor vehicles are operated in areas where they are not allowed.
Sincerely,
Phil Knight
Bozeman
Our next Olduvai Forum event will be on March 21 at 7 p.m. The evening will feature the film Visions of Utopia, presenting careful profiles of seven very diverse intentional communities around the country. A good film to spur the imagination for what can be done. This film was produced by Geoph Kozeny in association with the Fellowship for Intentional Community.
There will be a focused discussion on local organic agriculture and intentional communities afterward.
These events will be held regularly on the third Wednesday of each month this year. We meet at Clementine’s, 265 Bridge Street in Bigfork, just south of the old steel bridge, close to Sliter’s Park. No admission is charged, but we would appreciate donations to cover rental of Clementine’s for the evening. Coffee and tea will be provided.
Stephanie, the host at Clementine’s, will have desserts and other drinks available for purchase. Her food is always excellent. Please join us if you can.
You may call Edmund Fitzgerald, 837-5548, or Jeffrey Funk, 837-4208 for further information.
Edmund Fitzgerald
Woods Bay
This week all members of Flathead Electric Co-operative will get ballots in the mail. Along with trustee elections will be a couple of by-law changes which we should consider carefully.
I hope you will join me in marking NO to one suggested by-law change proposed by the present board—to prevent a former employee from serving on the board for seven years. In my area that would eliminate Jim Sutherland and Jim Hervol who have served this Co-op well for years and know the electricity business. Who would it be in your district?
There was much discussion at the Saturday meeting at CFHS about the merits of this by-law change. Included in the talk were phrases like ‘possible conflict of interest’ and ‘disgruntled employee’ could harm the future smooth running of the group.
We must remember that each trustee gets only one vote and must build consensus for any idea coming out of a board meeting. Aren’t we called the Flathead Electric Co-operative and not the Flathead Electric Exclusive? Isn’t this America?
I trust that ratepayers will make good decisions at the ballot without this by-law change. (It would be similar to school boards excluding retired teachers from running for election when there is a real need for this community service, too.)
Let’s send a message and mark the ‘no’ on our ballots to this idea. Trustees should be chosen on their ability to represent the people(ratepayers) and not on their previous place of employment.
Dee Brown
Hungry Horse
Headlines from around Montana and our region are consistently gloomy when reporting rising energy rates, the growing problem of greenhouse gasses and the overall uncertainty of how to satisfy growing consumer demand for power supply. News reports tell us Montana’s energy assets are being sold to foreign corporations and future electric rates are unpredictable.
But, in this sea of energy uncertainty, there is a bright spot and it is right here in the Flathead Valley, the service area of home-grown Flathead Electric Cooperative where we have (1) shifted to 100% clean hydro power; (2) are assured of a long-term, affordable energy supply; (3) are providing great service while keeping up with unprecedented growth and (4) have seen three rate decreases in the last five years.
My name is Chris H. Byrd. I am a member of the FEC Board of Trustees and I’m pleased to have been a part of the success we’ve had at our member-owned Flathead Electric. I respectfully ask for your vote and support so we can continue to move ahead with our important work.
I am running for the Board again because I feel it is in the best interest of our membership to have stability and consistency of leadership. Let me describe what we have accomplished in the last year alone: We have expanded our wholesale power contract with Bonneville Power Administration and implemented strategies for additional renewable energy options. This year we were able to provide members with their third rate decrease since 2002 due to careful management of our budget and our extensive work with Bonneville Power. Many other utilities have had to raise their rates, but we have hammered out a solid plan to keep rates stable at Flathead Electric. We understand that our work is never done and all of us on the Board of Trustees know that it is through education, research and tough decision-making that we will be able to continue to secure the best power supplies and renewable energy opportunities. Our momentum with the board-management team is strong and we are proud of the stability we have obtained for YOUR Co-op. All of us board members have taken the time from our other work and businesses to complete and pass the national “Credentialed Cooperative Director Program”. We have done this in order to oversee the operations of the Co-op in the most effective and professional manner. We feel this education is critical in our ability to strategically set the vision for our cooperative.
We are a very diverse board. We have healthy debates, and yet we are all good listeners and respectful of each others opinions. We have no personal or political agendas. Our goals and the way we carry them out are straightforward and simple: The good of the entire membership is paramount. Every decision is made with that thought in mind.
I am a lifetime resident of the Flathead (except for college and Peace Corps) and I have been in business here in the valley for 35 years. My wife, Maureen, and I have three children and three grandchildren.
I look forward to continuing to serve you on Flathead Electric Cooperative’s Board of Trustees and I appreciate your confidence in my ability to represent your best interests. I would be honored if you would vote for me again in this election when you receive your ballot in the mail. Thank You!
Chris H. Byrd
In the next few weeks, Flathead County begins the process of hiring a new Shelter Director for Flathead Animal Control, and we would like to encourage those with ideas on animal welfare issues that pertain to the county, to call or write the Commissioners. It is imperative that we become proactive in regards to the pet overpopulation problem and start to take measures to address theses issues.
Animal Control has recently begun spaying and neutering adult animals before they are adopted and this is definitely a step in the right direction. Unfortunately, without early age spays and neuters, as well as mandatory spay/neuter of all owned dogs and cats in the valley, we are only slowing the tide rather than turning off the faucet. Every year Animal Control takes in approximately 3000 plus animals and is forced to destroy over 40% of them because there are simply not enough homes. The Flathead Spay & Neuter Task Force provides over 2000 surgeries per year and without additional animals being altered, it’s hard to make a big enough dent in the problem.
As the county population grows, so do the demands on private and municipal animal programs and organizations. We believe that we can make things better for companion animals, by making much needed changes at Animal Control and within the county. These changes are not only good for the animals but for taxpayers, who continue to fund the department. Our Animal Control can be a shining example of how to run a facility efficiently and compassionately. Shelter personnel have done a great job of caring for the animals and it’s time that we took steps to ensure that more of the animals are given the opportunity to find good homes.
Mimi Beadles
Flathead Spay & Neuter Task Force