Letters to the editor

It's not suicide

In your Oct. 18 article on the court case to allow terminally ill Montanans to request physician aide with dying, we are introduced to Robert Baxter and Steve Stoelb, Montanans with terminal illnesses; these men have filed a lawsuit to establish their right to ask their physicians for medications they could self administer to bring about a peaceful death if their dying process becomes intolerable to them. Unfortunately, the reporter refers to this as "assisted suicide," an emotionally charged and inaccurate term.

This is not "suicide" in any normal sense. While it has, in the past, been inaccurately used to describe physician aid in dying, "suicide" has been rejected by patients and by leading health and medical organizations, including the American Public Health Association and he Oregon Department of Human Services, where the practice of aid in dying has been legal for a decade.

Those opposed to aid in dying on personal, moral or religious grounds will continue to use the incendiary and inaccurate term "assisted suicide;" I'm hopeful that journalists will give this issue the dignity and respect it deserves by using the term agreed to by professionals working in the emotionally charged arena of death and dying.

Pat Tucker

500 Jorgy Way

Hamilton

Great performance

I was incredibly moved by last night's performance of Name this Peace -- an evening of theater, dance, music and puppetry in response to the occupation of Iraq. I awoke this morning in awe of the talent, passion and professionalism of the many young Helena and Missoula artists who performed. The event was taped and will be shown on Helena Civic TV. I encourage you to take the time to watch this powerful production.

Betsy Hall Nordell

4002 Spring Hill Rd.

Contact FWP

After all the time the Helena Urban Widlife Task Force spent studying our urban deer population, I was surprised by the Montana Department of Fish, Widlife & Parks Commission's recent quota decision. That Commission blatantly interfered in the city's efforts to manage deer. The City of Helena, in good faith that a law allowing for development of deer maintenance programs was in place, spent a considerable amount of money and time on our plan's advancement. House Bill 249, passed in 2003, allowed FWP to either approve city urban wildlife control plans, or approve them with conditions. In other words, the current statute does not allow FWP to interfere in Helena's effort to control deer. The intent of HB 249 was to help cities resolve urban deer problems, not intensify them. If a human-deer conflict results in serious injury, who is responsible? As I see it, the fault would lie with FWP. Please, tell FWP commissioners you would like to see them bring this issue back to the table. Contact them by e-mail at: fwpgen@mt.gov. Ask to be forwarded to FWP commission members.

Virginia Niccolucci

Co-chair, former Helena Urban Wildlife Task Force

1801 Eighth Ave.

Domestic violence

October is National Domestic Violence (DV) Awareness Month. Some troubling statistics:

-- Every nine seconds in the U.S. a woman is battered.

-- In Montana, from July 2006-June 2007, there were 12,932 victims of domestic violence. Of those, 7,800 were children. There were 1,438 male victims of DV in the state.

-- In Lewis and Clark County, 1,004 victims with 291 children were affected by violence in their homes. 133 male victims live in Lewis and Clark County.

Long gone are the days when we can pretend domestic violence is solely a family matter. If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, help is only a phone call away. The Friendship Center serves families in the Tri-County area and can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 442-6800. Trained advocates are waiting to listen and help as best they can.

How can you help? Call the Friendship Center. The Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence (MCADSV) is also available to help with information and educational resources.

I worked as an advocate for several years and I know the difference shelters and domestic violence programs can make. As individuals, we too can make a difference by getting involved.

Nicole Gray, Public Outreach Coordinator, MCADSV

P.O. Box 818

Brewers back bond

At the end of the 2002 baseball season I visited Helena for the first time. I still remember the warm reception I received. Over the past five seasons, I have come to fully appreciate how special the people of Helena are.

Thank you Helena for hosting the Brewers and for your ongoing support. As the owner of the ball club I am committed to Helena and I appreciate that you are being asked to raise property taxes in order to maintain and improve the stadium. I know that many of you agree with me (over 40,000 fans attend the games each season) that having a minor league professional baseball team provides the entire community with yet one more avenue for entertainment and excitement.

The bond issue is an opportunity to support not just professional and youth baseball, but all sorts of recreation for youth, families and adults. Whether it is the sound of fans cheering for the Brewers, the splashing of families playing in the pool, or friends gathering for softball games after work, the park system improvement is going to benefit the entire community. I look forward to the Brewers continuing as part of the great city of Helena.

D.G. Elmore, Owner

Helena Brewers

304 W. Kirkwood Ave.

Bloomington, IN 47404

Vote for Elsaesser

Regrettably, I won't be casting a vote in this year's City Commission election. Even though I work and pay taxes here, I reside out of town. As a consequence, I can't vote to give Matt Elsaesser the opportunity to serve as our City Commissioner, but you can.

My business has me in contact with elected officials and city staff on a regular basis. So, over the years I have worked with each of the other three candidates. I respect their service and commitment to Helena. But, when I met and worked with Matt Elsaesser, I thought here is a man whose interest in civic affairs should be nourished and encouraged. Matt is bright, hardworking, diligent and thoughtful. He is a modest and caring individual who has a lot to offer Helena. Your vote for Elsaesser is a vote for a fresh perspective, an investment in the future of Helena. Postmark your vote Elsaesser for City Commission.

Mike Casey

P.O. Box 1067

Vote Elsaesser

Matthew Elsaesser is our choice for City Commissioner. He is intelligent and dedicated to continuing to maintain the high quality of life in Helena.

We first knew him as a student leader at Carroll College. His interest extended beyond the college curriculum to embrace a project that we know as "SAVE." His personal work ethic, dedication and energy helped inspire his fellow students and produce positive results for our community.

We are confident that as a member of the city commission Matt will have the ability to make non-partisan decisions that will best serve the needs of the people of Helena.

Vote for Matthew Elsaesser as we will proudly.

Leila Goldes

Joe Goldes, Col. USA Ret.

Karrie Fairbrother

642 Deerborn