Will miss local choice for banking
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Editor,
Not everyone is happy to see yet another local business swallowed up by a bigger fish. I have been with Community Bank for 8 years now and have been very satisfied with the friendly small town service and developed relationships. I like seeing a local bank, our bank’s name, on my checks and debit card. Things are lost — along with jobs — when a larger corporate entity’s rules and policies are implemented. If I’d have wanted to bank with a large, corporate-style agency, that’s where I would have gone in the first place. To say that this is the best for us, us the customers, is like saying Super One should buy out the farmers market because you’ll have “more choices.” There are those that bank with large conglomerates (Glacier Bank, est. 1955, number of branches: 122) and those of us that like to “shop local” (Community Bank, est. 1910, number of branches: 8).
I have nothing against Glacier Bank at all; in fact, if there is going to be a buy out I’m glad it’s Glacier. I’m just sad for all of us who no longer have a choice.
Roland Godan
Polson
Treaty language
clearly defined
Editor,
After reviewing the language of the Hellgate Treaty and discovering it authorized allotment to individual Indians and selling of the “residue” (excess) of the land to non- Indians, as conveyed in my last letter, I delved into the Flathead Allotment Act of 1904 and the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934.
The FAA is obviously authorized by the language of Article VI of the Hellgate Treaty and is clear in its intent: “An act for the survey and allotment of lands now embraced within the limits of the Flathead Indian Reservation, ... and the sale and disposal of all surplus lands after allotment.”
The 1934 Act, sometimes referred to as “The New Deal for Indians” (it came out of the FDR administration) was a 180-degree change in federal Indian policy. It stopped the process of allotment by stating “that hereafter no land of any Indian reservation ... shall be allotted in severalty to any Indian.” (Meaning “severed” from the land as a whole for “individual” Indian ownership as opposed to “tribal” ownership.)
Importantly, the Indian Reorganization Act was very clear regarding lands that had been sold under the FAA and “withdrawn” from reservation status. Section 3 of the act states: “The Secretary of the Interior ... is hereby authorized to restore to tribal ownership the remaining surplus lands of any Indian reservation heretofore opened … Provided, however, that valid rights or claims of any persons to any lands so withdrawn ... shall not be affected by this Act: …”
“Surplus lands” were “restored to tribal ownership”; “withdrawn” lands were not.
The proposed CSKT water compact defines “Flathead Indian Reservation” as “all land within the exterior boundaries of the Indian Reservation established under the ... Treaty of Hellgate ... notwithstanding (meaning “in spite of”) the issuance of any patent, and including rights-of-way ...”
When assumed definitions are incorrect, conclusions based on those definitions most likely are also.
Scott Kerr
Moiese
Murdoch’s staff
‘good neighbors’
Editor,
The Wednesday Mission Bay Quilt group, A Stitch In Time, would like to thank Bob Burke of Murdoch’s and his staff for their generous community spirit in letting us sell raffle tickets on Saturday, Nov. 15.
Brody, our new Canine Officer, is in need of a bulletproof vest, and Bob let us set up in prime space to sell tickets for a quilt raffle to accomplish that goal.
Thanks again Bob and staff; you are super neighbors.
Cheryl Stenmoe
Polson
Compact supporters use avoidance tactics
Editor,
What would happen if you had a well that pumped more water than the city of Polson and negatively impacted your neighbor’s well? Would state regulation of that well require you to control your pumping, pay for damages to other wells, or require a change in your permit? Well, and that’s a deep subject, you probably would have increased regulation of excessive pumping.
Now, what if there was an opportunity to eliminate state regulation of water, like the compact does, and cut a deal with the new boss — the tribes — to look the other way when it comes to your well? Isn’t that the nature of the “consensual agreement” allowed in the compact?
And, what if you could change the subject away from your well, and get everybody fighting over giving up their own surface water — not ground water — to the tribes, like the compact does? Wouldn’t that help you avoid the scrutiny of your own ground water pumping?
Ms. Lake’s denial of the obvious problem with her well pumping, when the city of Polson can’t even get a new well, and does not have the water to put out a fire in the city, is a nice tactic to avoid answering the questions I posed in my last letter. Instead of acknowledging the facts, she changes the subject.
The Montana Land and Water Alliance is not a political action committee, and I am not a “registered agent” as Ms. Lake claims, frantically trying to divert attention from her problem wells. The Alliance seeks to protect everyone’s property rights from the overreach of the federal government, and the irresponsibility of the state government and local individuals in pushing a very bad water compact down the throats of Montanans.
Jan Rogers
Polson
Thank you for monitor support
Editor,
As chairman of the Ronan Women’s Club “Hearty Potato Dinner,” I’m writing to thank everyone who contributed to the dinner. A special thank you to Lake Farms for the potatoes, St-Char-Ro Floral for the décor and Nancy Grisamer for the luscious pies.
The Ronan GFC is raising funds to support heart patients in need of monitors after heart surgery. With monitors they can return to their rural Montana homes earlier. The St. Patrick Heart Institute stated the need is great.
If you missed the dinner and would like to make a donation, it’s not too late. Please send donations to: Ronan GFC/Heart Fund, c/o Diane A. Grant, 33916 Hummingbird Lane, Ronan, MT 59864.
Diane Grant
Ronan
Thanks for
celebration help
Editor,
Thank you so much to everyone who attended our 90-year celebration for the Valley View Women’s club and 75 years for the Valley View Clubhouse. Everyone danced the night away to the music of KC & The Valley Cats, wonderful music. Thank you Berl Tiskus and Nicole Tavenner from the Valley Journal for reporting on our celebration. Thank you to the women’s club for helping set up, snacks, and clean up. Thank you for all the support, keep an eye on our Facebook page for the clubhouse for any upcoming events.
Kelly Bailey
Valley View
Look forward with cooperation
Editor,
Not so long ago the first people of this country survived through sharing and cooperation. When times were good, they were good for all; if not, everyone tightened their belts.
It is in this vein that I believe the tribe has put forth the water compact. It is part of their culture, who they are. The amount of thought and work that has gone into this agreement is huge.
Let’s not lose that.
We have been blessed with abundant clean water. If shared wisely, there is enough for all creatures whose existence depends on it and us humans for our industries and health.
In nature, diversity is strength; connections are made, resources are shared, and if one part fails, not all is lost
We are a diverse community. Let’s use that age-old wisdom of sharing and cooperation and look to the future together and not backwards alone.
Willie Tusick
Ronan
