Opinion
On Nov. 10, the Lake County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing to consider adopting the newly revised Lakeshore Protection Regulations (LPRs). As citizens commented, it became clear that there appeared to be a lack of understanding of the LPRs, its purpose, how it came about and what it meant for lakeshore landowners and citizens of Lake County. During the 1970s, northwest Montana was being discovered. Land development on our lakes was taking off and many became concerned that everyone didn’t understand the impacts some of the development could have. The 1975 Montana State legislature passed a law tasking county government with establishing regulations for development wit...
Montanans have spoken. It is clear that one thing our often-polarized voters value and agree on is our right to privacy. We have overwhelmingly decided that our government can’t mess around in our electronic communications without a warrant - that is, a reason a judge finds valid. We’ve also deci...
In our polarized and fragmented times, we appear to have less and less in common. Yet, wherever we live, a good number of universal experiences can bring joy to our lives. Take, for example, a good sunset. How magical is the array of vivid colors splayed across the evening sky as the sun makes its daily desc...
The Alp connection - a very unique relationship between Montana and Switzerland - persists today. Relationships provide meaning and a way to interpret the world around us. Similarities and differences can introduce people to something new. For example, a hot dog and a hamburger have similarities, but also di...
What a wonderful fall we have had. It looks like winter is going to try to settle in, which is the perfect time to curl up with your favorite cozy blanket, a warm cup of something yummy and a good book. Did you know that we add, on average, 100 books to our collection each month? I’m sure we have somet...
We are a culture often consumed with the material world. We assess value based on our net worth, which is often decreased by net waste. Time spent amassing wealth is valuable; time spent wasting time is just that. And that could very well lead to a squandered life. I beg to differ. Sometimes the bes...
Editor, A library is one of those resources essential to a thriving community. Our own Polson library got its start in 1912 when the town was in its infancy and a group of women met in a home and voted to form a library association. The library, with steadfast support from the community, has evolved...
Editor, Recently I had an appointment at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula. While waiting for my ride home I had an opportunity, for one hour, to sit and observe two ladies at an information desk. Few people actually stopped at their counter, yet during that time the two ladies were so enjoying just ...
Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves. The only way they could do this is by not voting. —Franklin D. Roosevelt Since midterm elections rarely have the pizazz of a presidential contest, a lot of eligible citizens don’t ...
Food brings people together. Maybe that’s why I’ve been baking so much lately. We all watch the news and face frustrations and incomprehension about the decisions being made by people we disagree with. We might even start to see neighbors as others, enemies. These slippery thoughts and f...
