Stream setbacksProposal protects land, water for future
After listening to the setback proposals offered by the county and Clark Fork Coalition, I came to the conclusion that they are more than reasonable and long overdue.As an avid hunter and fisherman, I'm concerned about the increasing loss of riparian (riverbank) habitat and what this means to our outdoor traditions, as well as to our children's future as sportsmen and women. As a former fishing guide, I'm concerned about how river banks lined with oversized houses will effect local business. And as a landowner, I know that my property value will only increase due to my decision to build out of the flood plain, leaving critical wildlife habitat intact. The bottom line is this: If I build my house at the “extreme” edge of the proposed setback, I can still throw a rock into the river or shoot a duck from my front porch if I choose to.
I implore local sportsmen to get involved in this issue, attend local meetings and take the time to educate landowners about the positive effects of reasonable stream setbacks. Hunters and anglers are the premier stewards of our environment as well our sporting heritage. If we don't get involved I fear narrow-minded self-interest will prevail over sound science and respect for the common wealth of all Montanans.
Marc Umile, Missoula
Cyclist fatalitiesPut bikes back on the sidewalk
I just read the article on the recent deaths of several cyclists over the past year. I wanted to point out something that should be obvious. I have been in Missoula my whole life, growing up bicycles went on the sidewalk, and I don't recall hearing about car and bike collisions then.Then somebody decided they should be on the road. As a daily driver in Missoula this drives me crazy. Every time I see a bicyclist, I tense up. I never know what they are going to do. Swerve in front of me? Turn with no warning? I know even if they do something stupid and I hit them, it will automatically be my fault, because I am driving the big, bad car.
So, to me the solution is simple - put the bikes back on the sidewalk, which gives them some protection from cars.
I know some people howl about how bikes would then hit pedestrians. To all those, please stop and think on this. If a pedestrian and a bicyclist collide, there may be some bumps and bruises. If a bicyclist and a car collide, somebody is going to die.
Rosanna Hoffarth, Clinton
Blue MountainDog attack not an isolated incident
Attention Missoula horsemen: Watch out for irresponsible dog owners and their dogs at Blue Mountain.On May 5, my horse was attacked by a very vicious unleashed dog. The person with the dog blamed me for “riding on the trail,” as well as being “inexperienced.” She was telling me these things as I was trying to stay on board my very panicked and frightened horse. The dog was relentless, and the attack went on for quite a long time. I am not inexperienced, and the trails at Blue Mountain are open to horses, as well as people, dogs, bicycles and motorcycles. I can assure you, that being off the trail would not have stopped this dog from attacking.
My horse is very used to dogs, and I have been riding at Blue Mountain for years. People are generally very cooperative, and the dogs have not been a huge issue, as my horses tolerate them very well. But this was an all out attack.
My horse suffered several puncture wounds and bite marks on her hind legs. If this had been a child, or another horse, this horrible incident could have turned out a lot worse than it did. This is not a matter of being on or off the trail. It is a matter of being responsible for your dog.
To the majority of people who contain their dogs, or whose dogs are not a problem, thank you. The answer is not a leash law. If this should happen to you, the best thing to do is to get the person's license plate number. You can report a dog attack at Blue Mountain to the Forest Service law enforcement person (360-8679), or Animal Control. Although this was by far the worst incident I have encountered, it is not an isolated case.
Carol Clark, Missoula
Bush administrationImpeachment resolution deserves support
Why has none in Congress offered support on H.R. 333? Does Dennis Kucinich have to stand alone on this resolution? I feel that Congress members should feel ashamed for not signing on, or starting a bill of impeachment of their own.I was ashamed of those taking part in the MSNBC debates, for standing with blank expressions on this question. None of my meager donations will go to any who fail to stand up, stand out and stand fast on this.
Patricia Herrick, Gold Creek
MoveOn.org event Memorial an inappropriate protest venue
Regarding the recent Rose Park protest: Steve Hintz and members of MoveOn.org, could you not find a more appropriate place to have your protest than to slap the faces of the families and friends of those who died during the Vietnam War era?Lynn Kurtz, Frenchtown
Bison RangeRetired agency employee got it right
Thanks to the Missoulian for presenting the May 7 guest column concerning the National Bison Range. Joseph Mazzoni may be a retired U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employee, but his writing is factual and far less biased than the stories (and the full-page advertising) that have previously appeared in this newspaper.L. Jack Lyon, Missoula
MissoulianFailure to recognize Easter appalling
In the letters to the editor April 23, (“Tester Profile was refreshing”), Eugene Beckes stated, “It is more than refreshing to see a terrific human being portrayed in a way to lighten all our hearts.” He was referring to the article on Montana farmer and U.S. Sen. Jon Tester. Tester was featured on the front page, two other full pages, and part of another page. Beckes was giving kudos to Betsy Cohen for her wonderful article on April 8.In stark comparison, April 8, Easter Sunday, there was no mention of the Christian celebration of the Lord's Resurrection in the Missoulian. The only slight mention of the holiday was on top of the front page of the Missoulian - a small “Happy Easter” with a disrespectful, obscuring advertisement sticker for the Missoulian, with a few Easter eggs below the greeting. Searching throughout the paper, there were two full pages about Easter eggs, and a full-page ad with flowers with a “Happy Easter.”
Beckes opens his message with, “In this age of great cynicism (and great reason for it) ...” I would like to end my message with this: In this age of decadence and great reason for it is the denying of our Lord and Savior, and His precepts.
Betty Carlson, Stevensville
Dining in MissoulaRestaurant boss has priorities confused
Some occurrences are worth mentioning. My girlfriend and I experienced one such occurrence when we decided to get a bite to eat on a beautiful Missoula evening. Our destination was a pizza place.We were the first customers of the night, so we were told to pick any seat. We tried to choose a quaint little four-person table next to the only windows in the restaurant. Our hostess told us we couldn't take up a four-person table because her boss would be upset leaving two seats open. It would seem that rudely enforcing a strict seating order, just to keep two seats open would be even worse for business. What if three people came into the restaurant? Would they pull up a chair at a two-person table? We ended up taking a two-person table and tried to carry on with our night.
Just as our thoughts shifted toward eating, I noticed that same hostess' attire. To say the least I was shocked and quite a bit less hungry. The woman was wearing a completely open-back shirt, all the way down to her pants. In fact, the shirt was so open that you could see her purple, lacy underwear hanging out of her pants. Somehow, being a man, I missed the most inappropriate aspects of her outfit, and my girlfriend had to explain that the woman wasn't wearing a bra. Well, in order to ensure the validity of my girlfriend's observation, I had to observe this aspect for myself.
I just don't understand why an employer would be so worried about filling every single chair that they would allow their employee to treat people rudely. I'm even more confused that an employer would allow their employee to dress so inappropriately at a family restaurant.
Jonathan Jochim and Tessa Brekjern, Missoula
Ravalli County commissioner raceDriscoll ready to hit the ground running
Do you know that Kathleen Driscoll (Ravalli County commissioner candidate) has attended the commissioner budgeting sessions for the past four years?This says important things about Kathleen. It says she's not a one-issue candidate. It says her interest in county government is not a passing fancy. It says she understands the process and will step into office ready to productively participate in commission decisions.
I know Kathleen will listen to everyone and make decisions based on strong values and information, not special interest influence. I know her chief motivation for becoming a commissioner is to participate in creating a county government that serves the needs of our valley's families, not just to obtain a job. Kathleen's childhood was spent in the valley. She traveled extensively as a young adult and now, like many of us, she's come home to stay. Help me elect Kathleen Driscoll to the Ravalli County commission on June 5.
Katie Lethenstrom, Stevensville
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