Opinion

Last summer, the Polson Chamber of Commerce made the incredibly difficult decision to cancel the annual Fourth of July fireworks and parade events. This generated an outpouring of impassioned opinions that — regardless upon which side of the argument they fell — were all driven by the same fundamental pride, care and concern that we all share for the wellbeing of our hometown and all the wonderful people who live here.  The chamber had always assumed that, by the time the 2021 summer rolled around, the pandemic would be well behind us and our fireworks and parade traditions would no longer be in doubt.  Thanks to the constant and amazing work of our healthcare of...

My toes are always the first to come and the last to go.  As the seasons change, and the weather warms in the spring, I can’t wait to get rid of my real shoes in exchange for sandals. Weeks before the warm weather actually arrives, I polish my toes in anticipation of the big event.  The...

Editor,  My spiritual teachings have taught me that each one of us, as human beings, has within us the power of God’s love available for access and action. When a situation presents itself to me where my immediate response is something negative like fear, anger or attack, it is my signal to cho...

Editor,  During this past legislative session, a group of enthusiastic Democratic women have written letters to the editor, guest columns, recorded radio spots and encouraged people to contact their legislators. We covered issues like voting rights, local government control, environmental issues, tax...

Editor,  The Montana Secretary of State says, “Montana sets the standard for elections across the country.” And evidence continues to show that our election system is secure. Claims of voter fraud have been proven false time and time again; yet, the Governor has signed into law four bills...

Editor, After 20 seasons of guiding wilderness treks and river journeys in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, I have witnessed significant changes in wilderness visitors.  As a teenager, I hiked from Ovando to Essex, scrambled in the Mission Mountains and skied from Benchmark to Holland Lake. Years late...

It isn’t often we have the opportunity to change someone’s life in a significantly positive way – wrong. This opportunity is available to us on a daily basis, but the problem is that most of us don’t realize it, although realization isn’t necessary for doing. We can do good with...

Editor,  Last November, voters passed I-190, recreational marijuana, which is estimated to provide $25 million annually to help fund hunting and fishing, trails, outdoor opportunities and other conservation projects. Montanans love the outdoors so do the thousands of visitors to the state. In 2019...

I’m still struggling, but I know I have to step forward on a path I wouldn’t have considered six months ago. Because it didn’t exist six months ago. People all around me are walking on the paths of their choosing. I feel like half the time I’m desperately searching for mine. The ot...

Editor, Montanans deserve to have a say in our energy future. HB 273 would overturn I-80 and eliminate the public’s right to vote on a new nuclear facility in the state.  Currently, we enjoy the right to have a say because of a voter-passed initiative that has stood since 1978 and was passed...