IR Staff

Letters to the Editor.

Poisoned pets

Two dogs dead, three cats dead, one dog critically ill of antifreeze poisoning -- all in the neighborhood of Pacific and Clark behind the Noon's gas station in East Helena within a two week period. This was not an accident. Someone is poisoning our animals. They may have done it to decrease the rising number of stray cats in our neighborhood or to safeguard non-fenced flower/vegetable gardens. Regardless, the families of the pets listed above are disgusted by this person's malicious act. And if you are caught, I will rally for the maximum sentence punishable by law. If anyone has valid information, please feel free to contact me at dpaige@in-tch.com. P.S. Did I mention heartbroken? Thank you, Felix and Mac, for the wonderful years. Cari L. Paige 310 Clark East Helena

Big wind stateYes, Virginia, the good news is that there is a Santa Claus. The bad news: He has out-sourced the job to MPC and PPL Montana. You will definitely get a free ticket to a concert in the rain and a lump of coal in your stocking this year.An alternative exists to the pollution caused by oil and coal generation of electricity. The American Wind Energy Association in Washington, D.C., estimates that all current U.S. electricity needs could be met from wind resources in just North Dakota, Kansas, and Texas. Wind is a renewable resource and non-polluting.Zond, a wind turbine company, has a 3,000 megawatt wind-turbine project on the drawing board in South Dakota. However, Zond has been bought by Enron Corp, which specializes in oil and gas production and which has recently bought itself a president. It may not surprise everyone if Enron decides not to build the project.Montana is a Big Wind state. Let's be our own Santa Claus and put Montana in the wind-energy business in a way big enough to supply the needs of residential customers, small businesses, and major industries. We would attract new industry and still be able to see the sky in the Big Sky state.Bill LoveladyBox 1117

Skateboarder wants supervisionI am a 12-year-old skateboarder from Helena. I read the IR question of the week, "Should there be supervision in the Helena Skate Park?" Yes. The skatepark would be more fun and a better place to go to if there was supervision. There would be less loitering and more kids there having fun skating. That supervisor could call an ambulance if someone got injured; kick out rowdy, aggressive, or mean skaters; and send loiterers away that just stand there and smoke. Without supervision more kids might be reckless and end up with broken bones. There might be loiterers that don't own a skateboard. Vandalism might be a problem. I know that would cost money. But not as much as the $20,000 salary they were talking about. Since the park will be only open part of the year, we could find a responsible teenager or adult that would work part time for something like $12 an hour (including benefits). For six-months it would cost about $9,000 dollars ($12/hr x 25 weeks x 30 hr/week). That's less than half of $20,000. Or, if we could find the right people, we could have volunteers and not worry about the extra-money. So again, what I say about having a supervisor is yes. Thank you. Derek Daniels 714 N. Rodney St.

Bumper sticker

This is an answer to John Smart's letter to the editor. Mr. Smart, in your article you said Mr. Bush violated the will and environmental values of the American people. His irrational and destructive policies have become a national and international embarrassment. You have to be talking about liars Clinton and Gore. The reason for building more power plants and looking for oil is to relieve the shortage that has increased the price of these products. I saw a bumper sticker on a truck the other day that fits people like you to a "T" ... It said "I hope all you ... environmentalists freeze to death in the dark."S.J. Score1123 Euclid

Contributions appreciated

ess than a year ago Bill and Becky Eiker, West Mont, and Lynne and Melodee Grosfield announced plans to develop a respite home for special needs children in Helena. The home will be a respite and short-term, professionally staffed, support living facility for individuals with disabilities. Many wonderful people (mostly Helena neighbors) opened their hearts and checkbooks to support us in raising $300,000 to build and operate Melodee House. Recently, the inoperable brain tumor Melodee courageously battled for 27 years took her to a better place. Melodee took the first steps with us and we must continue the journey to fulfill her dream.We're close to our groundbreaking goal. We have an excellent builder, architect, and in-kind offers to help with building costs. An anonymous Helena couple is offering up to a $35,000 match in contributions through August. If we meet the match we can announce at West Mont Harvest Days at Farm in the Dell, Sept. 7-8, that groundbreaking is underway. All of us on the Melodee House Advisory Board express our heartfelt thanks for your contributions. We hope you can join us this fall for the groundbreaking. If you are interested in helping, please call Richard Saravalli (443-4140) or John Betts (443-4422). Donations are tax-deductible.Bill and Becky Eiker, membersMelodee House Advisory Board708 HillsdaleL

ots of pull tabs

Thanks and thanks a bunch to the people who have saved and donated can pull-tabs to the Ronald McDonald House in Billings. Eva and I, as assistant directors for the Montana Good Sams Club, have been on the tab collection committee for the club's Treasure State Wheelers Chapter.Some of the larger donors are: Warren School; the Triebes; the Good Sam Chapter; Ed Morello of the golf courses; Emerson from California; the Blue Anchor Bar in Twin Bridges; the Lake Side Marina of Helena; the schools in Lincoln; and many more that are not mentioned.This year we gathered 327 pounds in Helena. We took them to the Samboree in Butte. Here they were put with the rest of the state's Good Sam collection, for a total of 1,529 pounds. It took two pickups to transport them to Billings where they will be recycled, and the money received will be used by the Ronald McDonald houses in the state of Montana. It is interesting to note that there are on the average 1,275 tabs to the pound. Again we wish to thank all of you who have participated in this very worthy program.Kenn and Eva St. Clair107 E. GroschellEast Helena

A (mostly) kind response

On July 15, our son's house burned down and everything was lost to the fire. We want to express our deep appreciation to the Montana City and Clancy volunteer fire departments for their response to the fire. They did a superior job in containing the fire from spreading to other buildings, grass or trees. Also, the DNRC was on the job and our thanks to them. A special thanks to the Red Cross. A representative was there to offer help before the day ended.Our son and family are slowly getting back on their feet with help from friends and relatives. They are overwhelmed with the generosity of many people. Thank you all for being so kind. On a sad note, a few days after the fire, a person or persons entered his shop and utility trailer and stole all of his carpenter tools.Again, a since thanks to all for their help and prayers.O. Johnson2798 Bandera Dr.East Helena

Tower Rock important

I recently started a raft-rental business between Wolf Creek and Cascade. For years, the abundant recreational and scenic opportunities there have been known. With the Lewis/Clark Trail and historic sites getting attention, I've had inquiries from people wanting a "river view" re-tracing the 1805 Expedition through here. Montana needs to recognize every point of interest related to the Expedition. Since Tower Rock is mentioned in the journals, it's an important landmark to preserve as public property. It's feasible to use the existing Interstate Exit 247 for a pullout with interpretive signs on the west side, and east or below the landmark for viewing/climbing. All it would take is access from the southbound""on ramp" (toward Helena) or the frontage road for a first-hand view similar to what Lewis saw from atop the formation. Since the Department of Transportation retained ownership, they should put up signs for Tower Rock's location. It's logical they might reconsider being involved in "site development." There's a large quantity of asphalt tailings across the highway. MDT could lead in construction and save costs of a lot of bureaucratic land trading. They're used to maintaining the property since the Interstate went in (1960s), they have the expertise, equipment and experience to accomplish the work. Marvin E. HoltzRoute 1 S., Box 2524Cascade

Keep the overpass

Our Great Northern District has been, or is being, transformed into a place of beauty from the rusty railroad tracks, dirt and weeds. This is something we should all be very proud of. Now, instead of destroying the Lyndale Overpass, why not repair, upgrade or rebuild it so everyone, locals and tourists alike, may see our latest "showplace," and keep the great view of Carroll College, the "Y," soccer fields, etc. As one who hauled many loads of local freight in and out of the old Great Northern warehouse, I can really appreciate the change.Bill Mattfeldt562 Broadway