There is no excuse for cruelty to animals
To the editor,
We have heard a lot the last few months that it is time for change and it is. It is time for all of us to stand up for that change. But… not just in Washington, D.C. But here in our own back yard.
What is wrong with the hearts and minds of people who abuse defenseless animals and children and if they are cruel-hearted enough to do one, make no mistake, they are capable of the other and worse over, what is wrong with all of us if we look the other way?
If our judges, lawmakers and enforcers don't wish to address these problems then we need to rally together and replace them.
There are shelters for unwanted pets — they should not suffer again and again in the hands of these heartless, sadistic people. Why do they have pets if they cannot feed, water, or even spay or neuter and immunize against disease?
And we say shame on you. This should not be treated as a misdemeanor — this is sick and criminal.
When this goes to court I think it is time we all rally at the courthouse and show our support and lend our voices for those who have none. Make it clear to these offenders as well as these judges this the time to change or go.
I have heard the squeaky wheel is the one who gets the grease. Change won't come without the voices of all of us. If we turn our heads, we are the problem.
Imagine when you close your eyes tonight the suffering of starvation or being drown — fighting for breath — with our head in a plastic bag.
And thank you, dumpster guy.
Debbie Mummert
Columbia Falls
Editor's note: Debbie Mummert is referring to a 74-year-old retired Kalispell doctor who is charged with felony aggravated cruelty to animals after he allegedly placed a plastic bag containing 12 puppies at the green-box site in Somers. Ten of the pups were dead, apparently drowned. The other two survived. It was reported that the man said he tried to kill the pups because he feared they would contract parvovirus.
Support for loss of trooper appreciated
Tuesday evenings (Aug. 26) crash has left our hearts heavy once again. Trooper Evan Schneider was a highly intelligent and dedicated man whose quick wit and sense of humor will be deeply missed. Our prayers are with the Schneider family during this sad time.
When you enter a career in public service you give up something that is not required of other careers. A career in law enforcement requires an even higher level of commitment and unselfishness. A peace officer's family realizes their family member no longer belongs to them exclusively, but belongs to the entire community. The inherent risks are obvious. Fortunately, most peace officer's complete their career unharmed.
You likely benefited from Evan's service either directly or indirectly. He may have been the one who arrested an impaired driver who was traveling in your direction. He may have been the one who stopped and gave assistance when you were in need. He may have been the one who did the safety inspection on your child's school bus. He may have been the one you visited with at the fair. And he may have been the one who checked out a suspicious person near your home as you slept.
The Flathead Valley displayed tremendous support during our loss of Trooper David Graham last fall. It was vital in helping all of us return to the work we dearly love. We believe the work of a police officer is important and we will continue to do that work. We will do it, not only as a service to the citizens of our community, but in honor of Evan and David.
Captain Clancy King
District VI Commander
Montana Highway Patrol'
Voting for land, water conservation bond
To the editor,
As a longtime Flathead Valley resident, I am excited about the opportunity to vote yes on a land and water conservation bond in November. It's what the Flathead Valley needs.
My family and I have lived on our place in the Lower Valley for 36 wonderful years now. We have seen a lot of change. I am glad that the Flathead Valley is prospering. At the same time, I think that growth needs to be balanced with a concern for the future.
Look at the Somers Boat and Swimming Access. It's more crowded every time you drive by. We need to maintain and improve access for traditional uses of our land, streams and lakes like swimming, fishing, hiking and horseback riding. Access to outdoor recreation is really important for all of us here. Most of all, we need to protect our clean water and the wetlands, stream-sides and other areas that keep our rivers and streams clean.
I hope that when my kids and grandkids come back to the Flathead Valley it is just as wonderful years from now as it is today. Our future is in our hands. Please support the local land and water conservation bond.
Liz Seabaugh
Kalispell
Focus on maintenance of North Fork Road
To the editor,
In the 18 years that I have been a North Fork landowner, I have never — not once — heard a landowner say he was against better maintenance of the North Fork Road. Some are against paving the road, but not better maintenance.
Why Dennis Grobe (HHN, Aug. 28) continues to insist that some landowners are against better maintenance defies logic. There is no "small vocal minority," no evil cabal, preventing the county from maintaining the road. Further, to assert that the board of the North Fork Landowners Association has a "stated position" against road maintenance and dust abatement is untrue.
I attended the same NFLA meeting (Aug. 2) as Mr. Grobe and never once heard that the board voted against dust abatement and road maintenance. I was on the board that would have voted on this issue, if in fact such a vote was ever a possibility. It wasn't.
What the board did vote against unanimously was a formal partnership with the advocacy group the North Fork Road Coalition for Health and Safety. This opinion was upheld by the voting members of the NFLA.
Bob Grimaldi and his group have been very effective in focusing attention on the condition of the North Fork Road. At the request of NFLA, at this summer's Inter Local Agreement meeting, agencies present discussed some innovative ways to improve the road. This is a huge step forward.
The time has come for the Coalition to tone down attacks on fellow landowners and focus its efforts on the stated mission of the coalition — namely, to continue efforts to have better maintenance of the North Fork Road.
Gerry Stearns
Polebridge