Opinion / Columnists
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 388
By 
Although the ground is barely bare, be bear aware
Warming temperatures and clear skies have started to thaw the valley floor. Even though snow will remain at high altitudes for a while longer, grizzly and black bears have emerged from their winter...
Sewer budget and assessment
Each year there is confusion regarding the budget for the Sewer District and the Annual Assessment Methodology that is sent to property owners with the cost of the assessment per parcel. I hope to explain the relationship between the two items and po...
No-cost phone legal document clinic
This month I would like to share with you an excellent state program to assist with completing your estate planning documents – Phone Legal Document Clinic. The Montana Legal Services Developer...
Walls of water, grasses & raspberries
Last year I started my tomato plants in walls of water. The walls did protect my plants from cold temperatures, so that I had earlier tomatoes than usual. But one of the walls fell over. By the time...
Leading the way in infrastructure and marijuana laws
Things have been pretty crazy in the Legislature. We finished up the budget in House Appropriations and it will have moved across the House floor by the end of the week. The budget is in really good...
Springtime in the Swan Valley
Looking out the window I see melting snow, new grass emerging from a long winters nap, fragile buds starting to come to life. Springtime in the Swan Valley represents memories. My teenager years....
COVID-19 support group: Strength through each other
Each of our lives have been touched, reconstructed, impacted, emotionally imploded, all to varying degrees. That is what this support group is about. I would like to offer a support group at no...
Working towards a bright future
Happy Spring! I hope everyone has been enjoying this beautiful weather and had a lovely St. Patrick's Day. My family always celebrates this time of year with corned beef and cabbage and I take this...
Parasite paradise
All of us are looking forward to spending more time outside in the sunshine with our animal companions. Fluffy and Spot aren't the only creatures who thrive in warmer temperatures, as this time of...
Mad bear at mid-day
Gett'n back to that other bear story ... check'n my records it was not Admiralty this wild scare took place but near Sitka, Chichagof Island. To set this here thing up right, we'll look at timber...
Join us in the political process
The legislative process is a fast and furious one in our state. Senators and representatives only come together for 90 days every two years and we are just over halfway through our time this session....
Working to protect Constitutional rights of college students
When I was the Business Manager and a Senator with the Associated Students of the University of Montana, we treated all student groups equally even if we had disagreements about their missions....
Join with the team and keep neighbors fed and safe
Thank you to all in the Seeley Lake community who have supported our local Meals on Wheels (MOW) program over the years. This March we are once again launching March for Meals, a month-long campaign t...
Your psychology and the universe
Recently, I was asked to describe the overall structure of a person's psychology. Often, I describe one element at a time. Seldom do I attempt describe the entire structure. So, I thought it might be...
Focusing on children
It's important to me that your voice is present at the legislature. All rural voters in Senate District 46 are invited to meet with me every other Wednesday at 7 p.m. via Zoom, and I encourage you to...
Jobs and economy
We are just over one third into the 67th Montana State Legislative Session. Daily, I find myself thinking, "Jobs and the economy, jobs and the economy, jobs and the economy." I find it helpful to...
Budget and marijuana
We have just crossed the 30-day threshold here in the legislature and are approaching our "General Transmittal" deadline. This will be the deadline by which all general policy bills that do not...
Winter is here
Finally, it seems winter has graced the valleys with its presence, drawing recreationalists from Montana and throughout surrounding states. Locals who have patiently waited for snow to fall have...
The camp
Thought I better catch up on my summer at Gramps logg'n camp. Pack'n that Ol' gear drive McCulloch saw, gas, oil and pack. Husky dog chase'n chipmunks. A great day to be alive. Finally at camp I...
Working for our electorate every day
Things are finally in full swing in the Legislature. The appropriations subcommittees are starting to wrap up their work. After they finish, the full Appropriations committee will come back together...
Update on senior meals in Seeley and Swan
We are fortunate in the Seeley Swan Valley to have both the Mission Mountains Mercantile (MMM) in Condon and the Seeley Lake Senior Center (SLSC) in Seeley Lake providing meals for seniors. The...
Only the shadow knows
This old line from a radio show is most appropriate for all of us today. In previous articles, I described the shadow as the opposite of the ego (a person's identity); that is, the opposite of one's...
Sewer capacity set for growth
Seeley Lake Sewer Board members have been hearing discussion in the community about the capacity of the wastewater treatment system designed to serve the Seeley Lake Sewer District. There seems to be a lack of information about the capacity. Great We...
The risk of failing to plan should be on monopolies' investors, not Montanans
In deciding whether my daughter would walk to kindergarten, like any parent, I assessed the risk involved. Now that she’s in high school, we have different risks to consider. Risk management is something we all do every day. Monopoly utilities...
Welcome to the Valley
I've heard that phrase several times since moving back to the area and starting my position as the Seeley Lake Game Warden. I'd like to thank everyone I've met, from the bottom of my heart, for being...
