Hall not representing us

To the editor,

Flathead County Commissioner Gary Hall says he is insulted by the actions of the City of Whitefish over their treatment of county property owners outside the city. As one of those county property owners abandoned by the county at his insistence, I have a news flash for Commissioner Hall. I am insulted, too!

I am insulted that you chose not to represent me even though you were elected to do so.

I am insulted by the threatening letters I have received from the City of Whitefish, thanks to you, warning me not to do anything with my property without first asking their permission.

I am insulted that my right to determine how I use my private property has been taken from me and now I have no say in the matter.

I am insulted that you think we have such short memories that you can now disingenuously try to portray yourself as the "Commissioner" that is so concerned with our plight.

And finally, I am insulted that a few months ago you and your fellow County Commissioners chose to ignore me and dozens of other county property owners in my situation, when you ignored our pleas to clean up "your mess" and restore our rights as property owners and citizens.

Commissioner Hall, if you are looking for things that are insulting, you need look no further than your own back yard!

Bill Henderson

Whitefish

Protect our children

To the editor,

Mattel and other name brand toys, clothing and baby supplies are being recalled almost every day because of dangerous toxins and lead-based paint. These are toys that we buy for our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We rarely look at where these products are made. We protect our children from harm from the moment they are born until they leave home to become adults themselves. Now we are unknowingly harming our children by buying them toys that will harm them.

Our great-grandchild is very precious to us, so after the first recall we went looking for new baby bottles, nipples and pacifiers because the supplies we had been using were made in China and China is were the tainted products were made.

To our surprise we found very few baby products that are made anywhere else.

I am upset with these companies that send the work out of the country because they don't want to pay fair wages and benefits. They want cheap labor (many times "child" labor) to save a few bucks. Some of the factories in China will not let U.S. people into them to see what they are doing. Why do you suppose that is?

Our government needs to protect its citizens, especially our children, from dangerous imports.

We need to talk to our senators and representatives to make them understand that free trade with China is detrimental to US.

The one thing we can do right now is to not buy these products, toys and clothing that is made in China. I prefer that what I buy is MADE IN AMERICA.

Larry Bump

Columbia Falls

Help library ID photo

The Columbia Falls Library needs everyone's help. We have a very large panoramic photograph in the library with hundreds of men and women pictured in it. They are not just adults, but babies, children and teenagers, too. The photo is dated in 1916 and was taken in Bad Rock Canyon. It is titled, "Old Timers Picnic."

We want to start making a list of names of people in the photograph to share with everyone.

If you or anyone you know may have any information about the photo, please stop in the Columbia Falls Library to help us put names to faces.

Just think — your parents, grandparents or great-great grandparents could be in this photograph.

Columbia Falls Library staff