Letters to the editor

Theater alive and well

Since the recent article in the IR regarding the Iron Front Hotel, Ironfront Theatre has received many concerns pertaining to the survival of "IT."

We would like to take this opportunity to say: Helena is the most artistically talented city in Montana and not only are we not going away, we aspire to add, build and continue the artistic growth, to make the community one of the most exciting and thriving theatre cities in this state. "IT" is currently in the process of negotiating a new lease on a new space that will not only allow us to continue to offer quality productions and the popular dinner theatre presentations, but additional artistic endeavors as well. We plan to make a formal announcement soon. So keep your eyes and ears open, and of course, please tell all your friends. Without the enthusiasm and support backing Ironfront Theatre in "IT's efforts to bring challenging contemporary productions to Helena, we would never have come this far. Neil Simon's "Oscar and Felix" will be the premiere production opening September in our ultimate intimate theatre. Don't miss IT!

Shelby Coover

Managing Director "IT"

654 Power

Earth Day events

You and your family are invited to celebrate with Earth Day Helena 2005 from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Memorial Park (Carroll's PE Center in the case of bad weather). There will be live music, environmental exhibits, raffle and door prizes and local vendors. A $2 donation will provide a raffle ticket.

Music will include Dana Lyons, Triple Cross and Strangers with a Western Grip. Exhibits will include Hybrid Cars, biodiesel vehicles and production, a fuel cell demonstration by D.E.Q., a renewable energy trailer by MREA, the sale of energy efficient light bulbs and more. The event has been made possible by A.E.R.O., Montana D.E.Q. business and community assistance program, StrawHouse, The Real Food Market, and The S.A.V.E. Foundation.

This will also be S.A.V.E. first plastic collection event from 4:30 to 7:30 to recycle clear type I, and translucent type II beverage containers. We will also take these plastics at Trash for Trees on April 30.

Any businesses, groups or individuals that would like to setup information, vend, or donate a raffle item should call 431-0815.

We look forward to seeing you Friday, April 22, at Earth Day Helena 2005!

Matthew Elsaesser, Chairman

The S.A.V.E. Foundation

P.O. Box 1481

Thanks for kindness

We would like to express our gratitude to the unknown woman who found our Rottweiler, Sam, and our Dachshund, Tator, out on their "Great Escape" in Treasure State Acres on the evening of 03/30/2005. We can't even tell you how much we appreciate you taking Tator to the Animal Center. (Oddly enough, that is his regular vet clinic.) It is believed that a car had hit him. Sam did come home. Tator is home now and happy to be there that is for sure. Thank you for your random act of human kindness. May God bless you and your family. If you feel compelled, please call us at 949-0262, so we can thank you properly.

Jimmy Carter

Holly Gederos

1539 Gallatin

Thanks, Dr. Wilkerson

I have been following Dr. Craig Wilkerson's "A Vision of Health" articles in your newspaper that focus on the importance of regular eye exams as it relates to glaucoma. Dr. Wilkerson is Helena's new ophthalmologist (Eye Surgeon) at the Helena Eye Clinic.

Dr. Wilkerson recently performed an eye examination on me as I had been experiencing headaches in my eyes. He concluded that I had Angle Closure Glaucoma. My eyes were not draining properly and a build up of pressure would occur. Shortly after my exam, I suffered an acute attack and the pressure in my eyes was so great that he immediately performed laser eye surgery to correct the problem. I came very close to completely losing sight in both eyes.

I cannot say enough about Dr. Wilkerson's dedication to his profession, his patients and his compassion for dealing with a health condition that required immediate attention. I am so thankful for what Dr. Wilkerson did for me. I encourage all of you to have regular eye exams, especially if your family has a history of glaucoma.

Dr. Wilkerson is such an asset to the Helena medical community.

Dennis Crawford

716 Pyrite Ct.

The giant stirs

Forty years ago I was employed as a photographer for the Helena Independent Record. From Governor Nutter's office window, I was introduced to a mountain range named the Sleeping Giant. From that day forward I always likened the state of Montana to these mountains, as the Sleeping Giant.

In the summer of '04, Angelyn DeYoung and former Miles Citian, Staci Peterson of the Montana Department of Agriculture visited me. These young ladies told me that agri-business monies were available through the Montana Agriculture Development Council and Director Ralph Peck's Ag. Department.

I applied and was invited to attend a conference with the council in Great Falls on Nov. 29. I did attend that meeting and outlined my idea of producing ready-to-eat Pacos (meat and cheese turnovers) for the public.

On Nov. 30, the Giant stirred. Mart McKamey, Growth Through Agriculture Program Manager, called me and informed me that I was granted the assistance I needed to develop my new product.

In my estimation, the Giant is awakening and if our new governor will follow Ralph Peck's example, this state will leap ahead in economic development. Thank you Montana.

Mark Kron

Paco Packers, Inc.

604 North 7th

Miles City

Session sits on seatbelt

At one time, I believed that one of the major functions of the government of Montana was protection of its citizens. Obviously, by the House of Representatives voting down of the Primary Seat Belt Law, I no longer believe that is the case.

There were some lulu's expressed why we can't vote for it: Nobody can make me buckle up if I want to sit on it; or, 80 percent of us already use our seatbelt, why do we have to have 100 percent?; or the best one: Why, somebody might think the law enforcement agencies would use that as an excuse to pull someone over.

Well, duh, the converse of that last one is -- If everybody is buckled up, no one will get pulled over for a seatbelt violation.

So, unless the Legislature changes its mind, we will have highway deaths that could have been prevented, accidents producing longer stays in the hospital, and everyone's car insurance premiums continuing to rise.

All of the above will happen, because the House of Representatives is sitting on its seatbelt.

George Day

2116 Wingate Lane

Billings

Investigate torture

I'm deeply disturbed by the recent disclosure by the Army and Navy that the deaths of 26 detainees in American custody in Afghanistan and Iraq were homicides. When added to the accounts of torture at Abu Ghraib and "extraordinary rendition" (sending our prisoners to countries like Egypt where they are severely tortured), the new revelations add to the urgency of establishing an independent investigation into these and other abuses.

The "ends justify the means" argument for using torture is the same one Al Qaeda used when killing thousands of innocent people in the World Trade Center. By condoning torture, as has President Bush and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, the United States embraces the barbarism of its enemy.

Tom Dickson

1601 Stuart Street

Retired take hits

Any person who retired in the past three or four years has taken a hard hit to their retirement accounts. We adjusted our retirement expectations to fit our new budgets.

Now our Legislature has decided to raise the taxes on our property to bail out the teacher and public worker accounts

Where were they when we took the hard hits?

Instead of buying a building for the historical society that will take millions of dollars to make safe for the public, why not use those funds to bail out the defunct accounts.

Wayne Losey

1145 Vallejo Road