| December 10, 2009
Editorial
Go ahead, give it a shot
By Jim Blow
Editor
You think you know, but you're really not sure, right?
I'd guess you're thinking that bad bug you had last month was probably that nasty H1N1 influenza. Maybe you heard about the symptoms and they match what you had. Or maybe you just got what everyone else had around the office and everyone else said it was the H1N1 flu.
But since you really don't know and you really don't want to get the flu — maybe the real thing this time — it's time for you to do something about it.
Now, with the help of Lake County Public Health and the Tribal Health Department, you don't have an excuse — the H1N1 immunization is now available to everyone, and it's free of charge.
The county and tribes are hosting weekly walk-in immunization clinics for H1N1 every Tuesday at the Lake County Public Health building in Polson at 802 Main St., Suite A, from 1 to 4 p.m. At the same times, Tribal Health will host more free walk-in clinics in Arlee, Elmo, Ronan and St. Ignatius.
All of these locations are open to everyone who is a resident of Lake County or the Flathead Indian Reservation, regardless of whether you are a tribal member or non-tribal member. Go to any location and they'll be happy to help you.
Other free clinics will be held at the Lake County Courthouse on the second floor on Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
On Dec. 19, there will be another clinic from 1 to 5 p.m. in the St. Ignatius High School gym.
If you need more information, call the Influenza Information Line at 883-7292.
If you aren't allergic to eggs, you don't have much of a reason to not get a flu shot. The benefits far outweigh the risks of possible allergic reaction or a sore arm. Healthy adults and children 10 and older will need only one dose of vaccine.
And yes, you should get a regular flu shot, too, but know that those regular seasonal flu shots aren't included in the H1N1 walk-in clinics. Getting both the H1N1 and seasonal flu immunizations will protect you from the most likely strains of influenza expected this year. You might still contract another flu bug, but it would be a rare case if that happened.
Another fact worth knowing is that the regular seasonal flu is likely more of a threat than the H1N1 virus. Among other things, H1N1 concerns health officials because there is little immunity in the human population, and it so easily moves from person to person, raising the possibility that it could mutate and become a worse threat with no readily available immunization.
Even though many people will contract H1N1, people will react to it just like seasonal flu, with illnesses ranging from mild to severe. As with all flu, the sick, the very young, the elderly and those with health problems are most at risk. But in tough economic times, even everyday people can't afford to be out of work with an illness, especially one that can be avoided.
The influenza vaccine utilizes a tiny bit of the dead virus to build up your immune system. You can't get the flu from it, and it won't cause complications beyond a sore spot on the arm, unless you have an allergic reaction to the shot.
It won't make you sick, either, though your temperature might go up as your immune system kicks into gear to fight off the virus.
So, go ahead and give it a shot. It won't cost you anything for the H1N1 immunization, and you'll save yourself a lot of misery.
Letters to the editor
Growth in state government is horrifying
By Janna Taylor, HD 11
Do you understand all about property taxes in Montana? It is so confusing, and the blame editorials and articles from our governor and the bill sponsor do not help.
Your legislature does not appraise property; that is done by the executive branch, the Department of Revenue. They have to follow the constitution, and maybe we need to change that section now.
The legislature tried to mitigate the effects of the new property appraisals in House Bill 658. It sure didn’t work for residences in our area. The Director of Revenue, Dan Bucks, said that their appraisals were “right on target.” I don’t agree.
Many of our area legislators are having another town hall meeting this Thursday at Flathead Valley Community College. The meeting will be held in the performing arts building and will start at 6:30 p.m.
We have some ideas for solutions and want to hear from everyone. Last Thursday and Friday, I attended the Legislative Finance Committee meeting in Helena and heard from the Revenue Department.
Informal protests are being settled at the slowest rate in our area, but then we have the largest number of protests. And, our county budgets are now in trouble. As you know, most of the property tax money is used locally.
State revenues are way down and our surplus is nearly gone. We will be in serious trouble in 2011 and there may even be a special session, although the governor has the authority to cut spending without our vote.
Has the stimulus created jobs?
The only job segment that is growing is government. I am horrified by the growth in state government over the past three years and have never voted for any of the increases.
If you can show up on Thursday night please do so. If not, I’ll try to give a report.
I’m especially interested in working on our list of possible solutions to the property tax problems.
I have had major computer problems for the last month and I lost many emails. Please accept my apology if I didn’t respond.
As always call me at 849-6096, write PO Box 233, Dayton, MT 59914 or email me at jannataylor@montana.com.
Local support made Mustang raffle successful
Editor,
Over the past six months, the Boys & Girls Club has been anxious to conclude one of the most exiting fundraising activities it has done so far. A suggestion by one of our board members turned into an effective way to not only raise needed operational funds, but to bring people into our club who had never set foot in the door.
A bright and shiny classic automobile reconditioned by volunteers literally slowed traffic in front of our club for weeks. Thanks to you, the raffle participants, our club members will benefit every day after school through the winter.
Meeting all those people and showing them the club when they had time continued to build our enthusiasm for keeping steadfast with our mission. We blame it, in part, on the 67 Mustang Coupe.
Living in this small rural community is an indescribable privilege. To the benefit of this non-profit organization and many others, our friends and neighbors are conscious of and willing to show their support locally.
To everyone who helped us recondition the car, sold tickets, made signs, published news stories or announced them over the air, you have our most humble thanks. Thanks also to the Christmas Treasures Committee for allowing us to kick off the Christmas drawings for 2009.
To those who bought tickets for a chance to win the Mustang, because of your generous participation, the real winners are the children who attend our club. They continue to have a safe place to go after school, they get a choice of supervised and wholesome activities and when the opportunity presents itself, are given some character-building tools to get along better in this world.
Congratulations to Mandy Smith who won the beautiful classic. You're the envy of a multitude of generous, hopeful participants and we're proud the club could see your dream come true.
For our Board of Directors, our Staff and especially nearly 650 club members whom we cherish, I say thank you for a successful and fun event.
John Schnase
Executive Director
Boys & Girls Club
Ronan
Country Store announces holiday hours
Editor,
The Country Store would like to thank the people of the community and surrounding areas for their support of the store again throughout the past year, both by shopping in the store, and by the generous donations of reusable merchandise.
In order for the workers to be able to spend the holidays with their families, the store will again be closing for the Christmas Season, beginning Thursday, Dec. 24, and reopening on Monday, Jan. 4, 2010.
We are asking that during that time, people refrain from dropping off donations, as there will be no one at the store to receive them, and we do not have a weatherproof area for items to be left.
Again, thank you, and have a Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year.
Phyllis Dresan
Secretary
Country Store Board and Workers
Polson
Excellent coverage is appreciated
Editor,
We want to take this time to thank Melea Burke and Aaric Bryan and all others from the Valley Journal for the excellent coverage we received on our tragic burglary of Dixon Melons.
We feel that this coverage helped expedite the arrests of three burglars. Readers came forward with many tips and evidence to make these arrests.
Also, thanks to our faithful melon eaters for all their kind words of encouragement and support which continue to renew our faith in humanity. We suffered a loss and a setback, but we did not suffer a tragedy, and with all your positive support, we will overcome.
We will see you in 2010.
Harley and Joey Hettick
Faus and Guy Silvernale
Dixon Melons
Dixon
Valley Journal portrays the positive
Editor,
I think an honorable mention needs to be made about the article written by Aaric Bryan, a reporter of the Valley Journal regarding Kiley's fight with leukemia and Jim Blow's editorial about the universal capacity to give.
Both articles were compassionate and well written. The Valley Journal is a paper that offers so much that is positive and good for and about our community.
It is so good to be part of a community that has such love and compassion for hurting and needy people.
Vern Hicks
Ronan
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