SWAN VALLEY - When the Swan Valley Elementary School was built during the late fifties, those fortunate to be living here were experiencing perhaps the greatest and safest times of our country. Aside from the cold war threat that still exists today, nobody ever dreamed that one day we would be facing an internal enemy that would target children and other innocent Americans.
I consider the Swan Valley Elementary School, Salmon Prairie School, all churches and the Swan Valley Community Hall all soft targets for someone targeting the innocent. For me, I worry about the security of the school my granddaughter attends: the Swan Valley Elementary School.
First, we have to face the reality that Highway 83 is not just a conduit for people enjoying its scenic beauty and wildlife. There are those who travel Highway 83 because they know there is little law and order. Most of those “visitors” are in a hurry to travel through the valley and exceed the posted speed limits. Additionally, with the close proximity of the Canadian border, we have to face the fact that others are not merely speeding through our valley.
Some are trafficking drugs or humans, but today, we must face the real possibility that some will come seeking soft targets in order to terrorize our community. I want to make it perfectly clear that not all these terrorists are politically or religiously motivated. Some are crazies, but we have to face facts: our country has become a holding pen for Islamic terrorists (born here or imported) and more than ever before, they have the potential to kill and maim our country’s greatest asset: our children.
We must not wait. It is time to evaluate the security of all public places in Swan Valley, but the starting point should begin at our schools.
Rick Ferguson, a concerned citizen
Condon, Mont.
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