Don’t close library

The decision to close the Montana State Library to the public is based on a report done in March 2004 by one person and without more recent independent review. I am disturbed that affected stakeholders were not consulted. The digital divide is very real in Montana. With many outlying areas still relying on “dial up,” a report could take hours to download.

There is a GREAT need to slow down and work with those who depend on this vital resource instead of slamming the doors in our face. The MSL is our library, supported by our taxes and as such, the commission has a responsibility to consult with stakeholders and have open communications. Instead they have chosen to leave the public, and the state employees who find the library critical to their work, in the dark. I am extremely disappointed with the Commission’s stealth handling of this matter, not planning to tell the public until a month before closing. I challenge them to name five state libraries that have closed their doors to public access.

As a librarian I consider a library, any library, closing the stacks to those who require “hands on” access as unconscionable.

Pam Arroues, MLIS

815 E. Broadway

Classroom debate

Although the Oct. 13 AP/IR article mentioned that British teachers be given a “written document” regarding the showing of “An Inconvenient Truth,” the details of the document seemed blatantly glossed over to fit an obvious agenda. The British High Court ruling is actually a win for scientific debate; it states that the documentary “promotes partisan political views.”

The Climate Change Film Pack, easily obtained from www.teachernet.gov.uk, must be followed by all British instructors in relation to the showing of the documentary. A certain relationship between the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere and temperature, which is strongly emphasized in the documentary, is debunked. According to the film pack, “Closer examination shows that, for most of the last 650,000 years, temperature increases precede CO2 increases by several hundred years.” Other discrepancies of the documentary, the death of polar bears and hurricane Katrina causes, should be noted by all man-made global climate change alarmists and legislators.

I’m not a “skeptic” regarding climate change; the earth’s climate has been changing dramatically since its inception. I do question the motives of those who blame human-kind with their complete and utter lack of discourse when it comes to debating the science.

James Schell

Box 1610

East Helena

Recognizing deception

Regarding Mr Alan Rainey’s letter (Oct.15), I want to suggest he read Cindy Sheehan’s book “Peace Mom” — a difficult, heart-breaking, enlightening read. I don’t know what Internet sites Mr. Rainey frequents, but perhaps he could do some additional research so he can recognize deception when he sees it.

Beverly Fox

1423 Stuart

A miscontrued vote

Regarding the two referenda that will appear on the ballot: The first, 2007-1, is clear in its meaning, and thus we will be able to interpret clearly the meaning of the voting outcome. The second, 2007-2, conflates the war on terror and the mess in Iraq, which is, of course, part of the White House’s strategy. How should one vote who believes in supporting our troops whenever they are called to battle, but also believes, correctly, that the war in Iraq diverted us from the real war on terror and mired us in a foolish encounter that has created new terrorist threats and been a recruiting boon for terrorist forces? If we vote to support our troops, as 2007-2 purports to do, our vote will be misinterpreted, or purposely misconstrued, as an endorsement of the war in Iraq, and possibly as an endorsement of any future president’s sending American troops to level any country that provocatively hides our oil under its sand.

Lawrence K. Pettit

2567 Overlook Blvd.

Support Pad for Paws

I am writing in support of the Pad for Paws Foundation’s exciting and progressive plans to build a 10-acre campus-style animal shelter in Helena. As a volunteer dog walker, I, along with other volunteers, was invited to attend a Pad for Paws board meeting awhile back where community input was welcomed and plans for the new shelter presented. I remain very impressed by the creative and painstaking care and thought incorporated into the Foundation’s plans.

Outlined in the IR’s Oct. 7, 2007, article entitled “Building a Better Shelter,” the Pad for Paws shelter would further provide for the physical and emotional needs of lost and abandoned animals through state of the art housing, medical facilities, and exercise areas. Additional community needs would be met with a public dog park where one could walk their dogs and have access to agility courses and a large community room for seminars, obedience training, and animal welfare classes. The partnership with Carroll College’s Human-Animal bonding program is likewise exciting, progressive, and full of potential Again, for more information, please contact Pad for Paws Foundation at 442-7373.

Marsha Carter Davis

320 Holter St.

Charming city

It is with great pleasure that I find myself once again in your most charming community, after an initial visit a year ago. This morning, with a steaming cup of coffee, I stood on the deck and watched an amazing sunrise over the purple mountains. Your air is so clean, the people warm and friendly, and the shopping a genuine delight. Tomorrow I return to New Orleans, but will keep fond memories of Helena, and hope to return soon.

Rev. Kenneth Kafoed

P.O. Box 381

New Orleans

Dips are working

This is in response to a letter written by Mary Lynn Comes on “Dump the Dips.” As a resident on McHugh Lane, I have to totally disagree with her commentary. The three dips on McHugh and one on Cole have slowed down drivers. I live on this street. I see it.

The majority of drivers do almost come to a complete stop or go quite slow. That is why the dips are there! Before the dips were placed most drivers were going 35-40 mph in a 25 mph zone. How do we know? Because the city monitored this. It was unsafe for pedestrians and other drivers alike. As for speeders with pickups and 4x4’s loving it and using this as their personal obstacle course, how would you know? You don’t live on this street. Maybe the city did err in making the dips too deep and have partially filled in some of them. As least now, we, the residents on McHugh, have traffic going at a much slower pace, making it easier and safer to back out of our driveways and safer for pedestrians. If people don’t like the dips, use an alternate route.

Rick Ashworth

2512 McHugh

No to war for oil

Recently Senator Tester told a group of Montanans advocating energy self-reliance that “there isn’t much money around here with so much going to the war.” The Senator was responding to a request that he allocate more federal funding to energy efficiency and renewable energy. I find it tragically ironic that investments in a clean, self-reliant energy economy aren’t possible because we’re busy dumping billions of dollars into a thinly veiled war for oil.

Our country has been in a cheap affair with fossil fuels for too many decades and the only reason it has been cheap is because we haven’t been counting the taxes we pay to the military as part of the fuel price. We also haven’t been counting the spiraling costs of hurricane damage and wildfires precipitated by climate change, or the suffering delivered to the families of our soldiers killed in Iraq.

Referendum 2007-2 would urge Congress to fund the military “without conditions” in the so-called “war on terror” — instead we need to get out of Iraq and fund true homeland security: renewable energy. It’s time to ditch our affair with oil for a new relationship with clean energy. For a first step, vote no on 2007-2 and yes on 2007-1.

Ben Brouwer

519 1st Street

Check out facts

Every election is an important election and voters have the responsibility to know the candidates before they cast their votes. The city judge race is no exception.

In an IR articlen from Oct. 11, 2007, Tori Marion talks about her status as a substitute judge in Helena and East Helena, making her the best choice to take the reins of the Helena City Court.

I like to check out the facts when a candidate provides voters with specific information that “qualifies” them to serve in the office they’re running for. In checking with City Court, Tori Marion has observed Judge Pitch most Mondays. However, she has only substituted for Judge Pitch for one hour since being sworn in as a substitute judge several months ago.

Additionally, Ms. Marion eludes to the “growing problem of methamphetamine use,” stating that the drug is beginning to take over the courtrooms in the state. Courts of limited jurisdiction do not have any jurisdiction over methamphetamine cases. Those type of cases are heard before the District Courts.

Some of the information outlined in the Oct. 11 article give me cause to question honesty and integrity in a judicial candidate.

Sheila Matulys

10 Quarry Lane

Hunting’s image

Being an avid hunter, I naturally end up at the gun counter at Bob Ward & Sons. I was recently dismayed to see the photos on the “Employee Bragging Board.” There were two photos of well-cared-for house cats displayed next to varmint rifles. Both cats had been shot, then carefully posed next to the rifles. A separate close-up photo shows a cottontail rabbit that had been shot in the head by a high velocity bullet. Besides the tail, the only thing that would allow the viewer to identify it as a young rabbit were the ears attached to the remains of the shredded, bloody scalp.

Hunting is an important tradition in Montana. As the state’s population increases with people who may not have been raised with a hunting heritage, is this really the image a Montana-based business should portray? With our outdoor values, I strongly suspect that Cabela’s mails more catalogs to Montana addresses on a per capita basis than to any other state, and will soon have a business outlet in Montana. Bob Wards, intended or unintended, please consider the image you portray of hunting-related values and ethics in your stores.

Tom Reilly

832 6th Avenue

Let the world know

Thanks to a few of our hard working neighbors we citizens of Helena now get to raise our voices for the immediate, orderly and safe withdrawal of troops from Iraq.

Despite the heavy unpopularity of this war it feels as though the voices of we little people — the true leaders of this nation after all — are not being heard. Helena is now joining hundreds of other towns and cities across the U.S. in speaking out. This war has cost the lives of 19 Montanans so far with many more wounded. And for those of us who are merely paying for it with our money, we will be doing so for decades after it ends. Are these sacrifices helping us? Or anyone?

Here is our chance to let the world know where we stand on bringing our troops home from a tragic and unwinable war. Please vote with me when your ballot arrives.

Tim Holmes

933 8th Ave.

Like the deer? Move

Ashley Martin seems to have forgotten that Helena is a city. If she wants deer to roam through her yard, she needs to move to the country. Of course, the deer would probably shy away from her (normal behavior for wild animals). She talks about the deer being here first — which is also true of bear, snake, mountain lion, dinosaur. If a deer wandered into early-day Helena, it was dinner that night. The deer soon learned to stay away. The FWP Commission (none of whom live in Helena) at the 11th hour, disregarded their duty. Maybe the city of Helena could abandon the leash law and let our dogs run loose. Maybe the city could compile a list of all the people who want the deer to continue damaging property and they could pay for that damage. Something needs to be done. Killing deer who have eaten all kinds of chemicals was the most humane alternative.

Denise Feller

3747 Aster

East Helena

Getting personal

The letter to the editor authored by Gabriel Furshong that was printed on Oct. 17, 2007, besides ignoring the reality of the war on terror also names me as a “right wing activist.” I would have hoped that Gabriel would have not lowered the level of discourse to a personal level and just stayed with his own personal assumptions. It is always the case that when someone of his mind set cannot refute a argument they are left with only two options. First change the subject and second attack anyone who disagrees with them on a personal level. Up to this point the discourse on these referendums has been orderly and civil with everyone respecting the views of those who disagree with them. I personally will not engage in any personal attacks or characterizations of those who do not agree with me. I will also not attempt to instruct the voters on how to vote on referendum 2007-1. I will encourage the voters to support referendum 2007-2 and show those in uniform that Helena believes in them.

John S. Forbes

Co-author of Referendum 2007-2

2526 Heritage Drive

Backs Elsaesser

I endorse Matt Elsaesser for Commissioner. I had the opportunity to work with him on Montana Wilderness Association’s Wild Divide Chapter as a board member. I saw firsthand Matt’s many talents and abilities. I quickly learned to respect his integrity, work ethic, dedication and passion. These qualities are why Matt will make a great Commissioner. Matt displays his leadership abilities as the executive director for SAVE Foundation, a recycling enterprise and advocacy organization.

As commissioner, Matt will make smart decisions that will benefit our community, and be effective in promoting realistic ideas. The upcoming election is an opportunity for Matt to bring his many talents to the community, and is why I hope we elect him this fall.

Walter Walsh

1216 1/2 8th Avenue