A pox on both political parties
The shutdown continues. Democrats blame Republicans. Republicans blame Democrats. The fact is rich, empowered folks on both sides are failing to do their jobs and forcing ordinary folks on both sides to pay the price. How dare they require middle class workers to work without being paid? How dare they “furlough” thousands more without pay?
Millionaire congressmen can miss paychecks and not suffer a lost meal or a missed payment. Not so TSA workers, National Park employees, Forest Service employees and tens of thousands more.
The Constitution requires the House of Representatives to authorize appropriations and requires the executive branch to prepare a budget. Do it! Stop trying to destroy our republic if you do not get everything you want, like spoiled 10 year olds. A pox on both political parties.
If you think we are not affected by the shutdown, think again. The shutdown means it is unlikely that background checks for Resource Advisory Committee members cannot be completed. That means RAC funds for dust abatement on the North Fork Road will not be available this year. What will happen to the grant for the upper North Fork Road? Delayed for yet another year.
Winter is when firefighters train and prepare for the next fire season. Same thing for other Forest Service and Park Service work.
This year’s Interlocal is scheduled for Feb. 20 at the Flathead Forest Supervisor’s office. I hope alternative sites are being looked at.
We are finally getting snow. There is about two feet on the ground at Trail Creek and more predicted. Thank goodness the road is maintained by Flathead County and not the Flathead Forest. The county continues to do a magnificent job of snow removal and our winter pavement is in great shape. That means easy trips to and from town as long as you do not drive too fast. I saw a couple of places this week where drivers hit the brakes too hard and slid off the road. Same thing can happen if you try to accelerate too fast.
With the road in good shape, gatherings for dinner parties and even snowshoe softball are easy and cross country skiing and snowmobiling access points are easier to get to. North Fork ladies are especially known for getting out and playing in the snow, mostly on skis or snowshoes. Only one I know of that snowmobiles is Jane Reardon and she tends to hit trees.
Anyone who has concerns about county, state or federal agencies on the North Fork can write them down and send them to Bill Walker, North Fork Road, Polebridge, Montana, 59912 by Feb. 5. He will forward them to the appropriate agency in time for them to provide information at the Interlocal. It isn’t fair to blindside them at the meeting.
Larry Wilson’s North Fork Views appears weekly in the Hungry Horse News.