Opinion

Editor, This is our present three (3) party political system:  Democratic, Republican, and what I term “Trumpism.” Trumpism was formed by Donald Trump’s presidency. It is ruled by fear, anger, and self-centeredness. Let’s call it FAS. These human tendencies are personal choices each of us humans are familiar with, deal with and live with daily.  Individuals and groups can get lured into these mental choices for FAS which begin to rule their lives. This has been Donald Trump’s life choice. As president he brought FAS right out into the open. This attracted many individuals and groups to bring these FAS attitudes and behaviors out into the o...

We all have our views and viewpoints. It’s easy to expand on those views with quips and comments that sound inventive, innovative and downright clever. It’s amazing, actually, how easy it is to come out against something or someone, especially when you don’t agree with their viewpoints, pol...

  Property taxes aren’t red/blue or political; the State writes the rules on property taxes, counties follow the rules. And everyone—no matter what your political stripe—pays.  It’s no secret that Missoula County and Beaverhead County are opposite in terms of politics, bu...

As you know by now, Montana boasts a unique and expansive constitutional guarantee to public information. But Montana law allows agencies to charge Montanans a fee for completing Right to Know requests, if the agency chooses to do so. Understanding why different fees are being assessed in different circum...

Editor, Shirley Azzopardi is running for Montana House District 13. Shirley graduated from the University of Montana and was a special education teacher for 30 years with 28 of those in St. Ignatius. Currently, she is the Mental Health Coordinator for Early Childhood Services with the Confederate Salish K...

Editor, It is difficult to write a letter in support of Shirley Azzopardi for House District 13 without comparing her to her opponent, the incumbent Linda Reksten. While Shirley advocates for the state legislature to adjust tax rates to lower our property taxes, the Republican Supermajority and Linda Reks...

How can it be? Summer has flown by and here we are getting ready to celebrate the end of our Summer Reading Program with a big block party on Thursday, Aug. 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. We’ll have live music, food and drinks available for purchase, another Paper Pie book sale, our prize drawings and of course, ...

Editor, Thunder boomed as a deluge of rain fell outside, setting the stage for a powerful presentation by Ryan Busse at a gathering of Montanans. Running for governor, he painted a positive picture of the future with articulate skill, humor and warmth. If elected, this future includes Ryan’s hono...

We all started out in the same way. As babies. But what would it be like to go back? Imagine being a baby. I’ve thought about this a few times, while watching my grands navigate their way through this world. I imagine myself in their tiny tottering shoes - or bodies, so to speak. And I realize...

We are the Area IV Governing Board and Advisory Council, which oversees older adult services in Broadwater, Gallatin, Jefferson, Lewis and Clark, Meagher, and Park Counties. We write to implore Governor Gianforte’s administration to prioritize improved resources to deliver Older Americans Act services ...