Firefighters/EMTs support the chief
In my opinion the entire problem in Frenchtown is that a group of (mostly) men is intent on having a pissing contest with our chief. They may succeed in destroying our department, but there is not a chance, even as a group, that they can be half the man our chief is. He built our department and made it the best volunteer department in the state.
We were proud of our competence but now we are demoralized. To my knowledge, these people have not brought in a single volunteer but they have driven away many. They need to consider whether there will be anyone left when their fathers, wives or children need someone to respond to an emergency.
Dynah Geissal, Frenchtown
People came together in time of need
You know, life is a funny thing sometimes. We go down this road trying to do all of the right things and, at times, tragedy strikes, and it is hard to overcome. At times, however, amidst the tragedy, comes many blessings and a renewed hope in humanity.
Our daughter, Allison Crenshaw, was recently killed in a car accident near Ronan. As we tried dealing with the pain of her loss, however, so many people have come forward to bless our family with their sincere love and concern for our welfare and to share with us some things concerning our daughter. I don’t know how far people came to be here for her funeral, but I know that many came from Missoula, Spokane and Columbia Falls, as well as local community members. All came with sorrow in their hearts for our loss, and love for our family. Although the pain is sometimes hard to bear, I could not ask for her to go home under any better circumstances than these, that she bore such a strong influence on others.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the way you have reached out to us and for the things you have shared concerning our daughter, Allison. Thanks to those of you who were there at her funeral with us and for us. All other eight children were able to attend. Also, thanks to the military who expedited Collin from Afghanistan and Chris from basic training at Fort Sill, as well as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for helping us get two of our daughters here. Our hearts are full to overflowing because of the way that you have cared. Thank you ever so much.
Charleen Crenshaw and family, Ronan
Islam fanatics now control our press
Re: The Saturday, Aug. 16, article about Sherry Jones, former Missoula author, now living in Spokane.
Aug. 16, 2008, the day that America lost two freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution: freedom of speech and freedom of the press. These freedoms/rights were stolen, not by the Patriot Act, but by a Muslim/Islam murderous mob mentality.
One can write about, question, degrade, attack Christianity with few, if any, repercussions. But to write about or question Islam will bring death threats to the author. This is a double standard.
I can understand the action taken by Random House, but I do not agree with it. Islam fanatics now control our press and free speech. Which freedom, right or law will be next to appease these fanatics?
Shelia Vallejo, St. Ignatius
Fishery troubles are bump in the road
I’ve read about the unexpected sediment release from the Milltown Reservoir site, and the subsequent letters to the editor.
I would like to report some observations from my backyard along the Clark Fork in Hellgate Canyon. Despite the zealous rhetoric, the river is not dead. I watch trout rise every day. I caught several small but healthy rainbow trout just upstream last weekend. I snorkled a calm stretch of the main channel a few weeks ago and saw many large fish congregating around boulder piles, and they weren’t all suckers. I did notice that the bottom of the main channel seems to be carpeted with sand and small rocks that appear similar to the outwash material from the breach. This sediment, along with the large sandbars in the side channels, and the plentiful logs, will be moving along with the spring runoff events to come. Wonderfully, for the first time in the 16 years I’ve been living here, a family of bald eagles joined the usual osprey and set up shop here in the canyon for the summer. We watched the adult drag huge fish out of the river on several occasions to feed three juveniles. And as far as the water is concerned, I’ve never seen it this clear. The algae biomass looks lower, though this could be due to the cooler temperatures this summer.
In conclusion, the river is certainly not dead, but in transition. I expect some bumps in the road as the work continues at Milltown, but I think I can feel a difference now: the river is free-flowing, the fish are free-roaming, and a hundred years of abuse will soon be erased.
Craig Messerman, Missoula
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