Opinion / Letters To Editor


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  • Thanks for lending a helping hand

    Jan and Bill Lombardi, Seeley Lake, Montana|Jan 13, 2022

    We were looking forward to welcoming 2022 with the last grouse hunt of the season. Instead, we got stuck in the snow and found the heartbeat of Seeley Lake. Here’s to a Happy New Year ahead, thanks to the kind family of snowmobilers that helped us get the car back on the road. Thank you, Seeley Lakers!...

  • Shining new light in the Swan Valley

    Rev. Carrie A. H. Benton, Seeley Lake, Montana|Jan 6, 2022

    I want to express my deep appreciation for the Pathfinder’s coverage of the article, “Bringing the church to the people,” from Nov. 25. In my time here in Seeley, I have had countless conversations with locals in bars, restaurants, coffee shops, etc., who have expressed similar sentiment about the pain that traditional types of churches have caused them, their families or others they love. The perception a lot of folks carry is that church people are judgmental. Unfortunately, this has too often been true. Churches are meant to be gathe...

  • Open for business, welcoming visitors

    Lynn Wilson, Swan Valley, Montana|Dec 30, 2021

    In response to the comment made by the representative with the Lifetime movie crew for “Mistletoe in Montana” in the Dec. 16 issue stating “Due to the lack of any lodging between Missoula and Bigfork,” we are still alive and well in the Swan Valley. We have a six-room bed and breakfast here in the Swan. We have rooms available all summer, when we are not hosting a workshop, and year round for winter recreationist. Please don’t think that there are no places to stay in the Swan. We would be glad to have you visit us and enjoy this beautiful...

  • Grateful for SSSAR's response

    Todd and Andrea Onken, Missoula, Montana|Dec 2, 2021

    In this season of thanksgiving, we want to express our gratitude to the Seeley-Swan Search and Rescue professionals and volunteers who responded to Andrea’s medical emergency up near the Swan Crest on Aug. 12. You dropped everything on a weekday afternoon to drive to the end of the road, then hike a couple miles to help stabilize and extract (with the aid of Two Bear Air’s helicopter hoist), and finally deliver her by ambulance to St. Pat’s for definitive care. Well done and thank you all for your patient care and dedication to community servi...

  • BCSA investment in the future

    Paige Weigand, Bozeman, Montana|Nov 25, 2021

    The Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act was introduced to Congress by Montana Senator Jon Tester and is a wonderful example of how legislation can unite various groups to solve local problems. The bill is the culmination of a 15-year effort by a diverse set of Montanans: environmentalists, timber producers, conservationists, recreation management, local businesses, politicians and the public. The bill would first serve to defend the Blackwater River and its most important tributaries, as well as secure and expand protections to the Blackfoot...

  • Thank you Seeley Lake!

    The Brauliks, Seeley Lake, Montana|Nov 18, 2021

    SEELEY LAKE - We would like to say a big thank you to all of the community following our house fire. We would like to thank everyone for all the prayers, support and donations. We are truly humbled by all the support we have gotten. We have felt so loved. This is why we chose to live here in Seeley Lake. We wanted a close and loving community to raise our kids in. We are so blessed and grateful. Thank you to everyone for everything....

  • Support the majority Senator Daines

    Josie Hess, Missoula, Montana|Nov 18, 2021

    The Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act is supported by 75% of Montanans. The bill on a whole, accurately reflects Montanan values. With its plan to protect approximately 80,000 acres of land for conservation, recreation and restoration, the bill speaks for the people of Montana that wish to preserve our precious land. The BSCA restores fish and wildlife habitats, increases space for outdoor recreation for Montanans and conserves precious Montana wilderness by adding 80,000 acres of land to the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area. In response to...

  • Listen to the many BCSA supporters

    Jordyn Everett, Missoula, Montana|Nov 18, 2021

    As an honorary Missoulian, I can confidently say Montanans in particular have a deeply rooted connection to the environment. Jack Rich, the hardworking owner of the local family-owned Rich Ranch, said “our hearts belong to the wildlands, wildlife and waters...” The Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act, a bill that Rich and many other Montana experts have contributed to over the past two decades, would designate 79,060 acres of new federal wilderness. This is vital not only because of the 2,013 acres that would be allotted towards snowmobile rec...

  • Stop the stall tactics Senator Daines and do what is right

    Alexandra Berna, Missoula, Montana|Nov 4, 2021

    Senator Steve Daines is holding the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act (BSCA) hostage. The BCSA, a bill introduced by Senator Jon Tester, intends to strengthen public land protection while ensuring public access to outdoor recreation and the economic advantages to the Montana economy that follow from it. The BCSA is an outstanding example of what can happen when Montanans work together, because the act stems from collaborative conversations between recreationists, timber companies and conservation advocates that began in 2005. According to...

  • Fed up with approach to the Post Office?

    Lynn Carey, Seeley Lake, Montana|Nov 4, 2021

    To my fellow citizens of Seeley Lake, How many of you are fed up with the approach to the Post Office parking lot? Here is where to complain: Montana Department of Transportation PO Box 7039 Missoula, MT 59807-7039 406-523-5800 Remember the squeaky wheel gets the grease!! ** Editor's Note: Please note the address was corrected as of Friday, Nov. 5....

  • Response regarding land ownership on SOS Road

    Kevin Wetherell, Seeley Lake, Montana|Oct 28, 2021

    SEELEY LAKE - I wanted to reaffirm the record with regard to a Letter to the Editor last week from Lauraine Lowe where she made an assertion that I had never had ownership in what is now her property and, as a result, I had provided incorrect information in a Missoula County Commissioners hearing regarding approval of Alpine Trails. I urge Mrs. Lowe to review the Warranty Deed dated Feb. 15, 2006 conveying ownership of Tract 3 of Carnes Seeley Lake Tracts No. 1 which is recorded in Missoula County Book 468 Micro, Page 1516. This deed conveyed...

  • Huge thank you for the support!

    The Guitar Family, Seeley Lake, Montana|Oct 28, 2021

    SEELEY LAKE - Thank you to everyone who donated goodies or came out to support us by buying some delicious baked goods. We appreciate everyone so much. This community has been nothing short of amazing! Thank you all, The Guitar Family...

  • Stick to the facts and include all information at Pet Release Clinics

    Jon Haufler and Carolyn Mehl, Seeley Lake, Montana|Oct 28, 2021

    We were unable to attend the local trapping clinic last week but were told a question was asked regarding our dogs being snared while we were bird hunting last season on public lands, with one dog killed as a result. A clinic presenter, a Montana Trappers Association (MTA) rep, responded by saying our dog died because we had not trained it to be “leash-broke” and he “heard our dogs were out of control and running wildly.” It is a well-worn and sad MTA strategy to try to shift blame in this way for the consequences of trapper actions onto th...

  • Senator Daines' priorities are wrong for Montana

    Talia Burk, Missoula, Montana|Oct 28, 2021

    Senator John Tester is in support of the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act (BCSA) as are many Montanans and Missoulians. This bill is intended to expand protections to the headwaters of the Blackfoot and Clearwater Rivers, while improving and expanding outdoor recreation areas for the public. The BCSA has already given Senator Steve Daines what he says he prioritizes jobs and investment in Montana. According to a Missoula Current article, 153 union jobs and 57 million dollars have been given to the local economy through Southwest Crown of th...

  • Fight Senator Daines' move to take lands from Montanans

    Patrick Berzsenyi, Missoula, Montana|Oct 28, 2021

    The Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act is popular and for good reason. Over 70% of Montanans support the bill because they understand that forest lands and headwaters within those lands in particular need protection. In that 30%, however, one is able to find Senator Steven Daines. Standing against the majority, he, in the Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests and Mining offered a somewhat confusing deal: if Tester and company want to add around 80,000 acres to our state’s public lands, specifically the Bob Marshall, then it is c...

  • Clarification on SOS Road land ownership

    Lauraine Lowe, Seeley Lake, Montana|Oct 21, 2021

    Regarding article Alpine Trails Phases 3 and 4 in the Sept. 16, 2021 Pathfinder, clarification is needed. The statement made by Kevin Wetherell to the Missoula County Commissioners was false. Prior to the Lowes purchasing property on SOS Road, the owners were the Spaffords. Kevin Wetherell never had ownership of the property. Records have been checked at the County Recorder....

  • Speak up about new wolf laws

    Elinor Williamson, Saint Petersburg, Florida|Oct 21, 2021

    After reading how the wolves are going to be maintained now, I was sick at heart. Gray wolves are already in danger due to humans. Hopefully they will be listed before they are all killed off. Now we hear from the governor and legislature, who I doubt have ever seen a live wolf, and give free rein to those who will allow the slaughter of these wolves by traps. It is such a cruel and unsporting way for wolves and a terrible danger for our dogs, cats and other animals. Then they say baiting can be used. Such a sportsman to stand and shoot an...

  • COVID Vaccine - A matter of life or death

    Ruth Stebleton, Seeley Lake, Montana|Oct 7, 2021

    Sanford Health, a large hospital in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota, shared a chart Sept. 28, 2021 regarding hospitalizations and vaccination status. Out of 158 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, 12 were vaccinated and 146 were unvaccinated. Out of 47 patients in the Intensive Care Unit, two were vaccinated and 45 were not. Of the 28 patients on ventilators, no one was vaccinated. I was a nurse for over 40 years. Nurses are caring people but we do have our limits. I would be very upset taking care of a patient on a ventilator who had...

  • Wolf management not necessary - trapping only for sport

    Chris Albert, Lebanon Junction, Kentucky|Oct 7, 2021

    Thank you for publishing “Local trappers weigh in on wolf regulations” in the Sept. 30, 2021 issue of the Seeley Swan Pathfinder. As a veterinarian I have the honor of attending to illnesses and injuries of animals. Among the worst and most painful are trapping injuries. Rotting, foul smelling, gangrenous limbs. Broken toes and pain. We know that the pain of diminished circulation is profound, in animals as well as humans, and traps do that most of all simply by the intensity of how they “hold.” Most of the injuries I tend to are uninten...

  • Respect people's choice, provide other options

    Teresa Friede, Seeley Lake, Montana|Sep 30, 2021
    1

    It is long past time to stop shaming/bullying people who have chosen not to get vaccinated. Everyone knows COVID-19 is serious but people have valid reasons why they won’t or CAN’T get vaccinated. People have had bad reactions, been hospitalized and even died after receiving the vaccine. Yes the vaccine has saved lives but it is not for everyone and is not safe for everyone. We need to respect people’s choices even if we don’t agree with them. One size doesn’t fit all where COVID-19 is concerned, but the vaccine seems to be the only thing the...

  • Take a harder look, the public is watching

    Steve Wallace, Missoula, Montana|Sep 9, 2021

    After reading the recent article in the Aug. 26 edition about the Forest Service withdrawing their project in the Scapegoat Wilderness, I couldn’t restrain myself any longer. The Forest Service and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks appear to be laboring under the perception that somehow, nobody is paying any attention. It appears that a number of well-heeled environmental groups are watching. There’s a surprise. All you have to say is we are going to land helicopters, run motorboats around and use generators to poison three lakes and 67 miles of...

  • Realtor commissions raise housing costs and promote government growth

    Don Larson, Seeley Lake, Montana|Sep 9, 2021

    Realtor Kevin Wetherell has noted home prices in the Seeley area have jumped by 53%...to an average price of $399,000. So much for affordable housing in Seeley Lake. What he does not mention, discuss or analyze is the impact realtors’ sales commissions have on housing prices. I would submit realtors’ commissions have a direct effect on the increased cost of housing AND the growth of local government. Here’s how: The realtors commission becomes part of the sales price of a home. That 4-6% increase in cost translates as a direct increase on an...

  • My reply to my Dear BCSA Followers

    Ken Kronsperger, Seeley Lake, Montana|Aug 26, 2021

    The 80,000 acres that you crave is already under the protection of the US Forest Service. That is right, no subdivision will be put there! The ONLY thing the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act would do is to keep those nasty, raggedy people out of there that are elderly or handicapped. Wilderness - no assistance from mechanized devices - precludes our access and that is really what you want. These 80,000 acres HAD logging roads in it many years ago and therefore should NOT be eligible for wilderness designation. It should be open to ALL the...

  • Protect our public lands and outdoor economy with BCSA

    Lillian King, Missoula, Mont.|Aug 19, 2021

    The Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act (BCSA) is a bill introduced to Congress by Senator Jon Tester that will further protect the Blackfoot River by expanding protections to its headwaters as part of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area. The BCSA will also create more space for outdoor recreation near the Blackfoot and Clearwater Rivers and improve timber production and forest restoration in and around Seeley Lake. We need public policy that works to help one of the fastest-growing economic sectors in Montana - tourism and outdoor recreation....

  • Work with others' strengths for the good of the community

    Cheri Thompson, Seeley Lake, Montana|Aug 12, 2021

    Thank you for the heart-warming article even in the face of the fire tragedy. Chief Dave Lane made such positive comments on the efforts of neighbors and the community members coming together for the good of all. As he said, it wasn’t perfect but it worked. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if this was just the beginning of community members coming together in a positive, non-territorial way to work on the issue of a deficit in volunteers within the fire department. My heartfelt wish is that all the interested parties sit down at a ROUND table, add...

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