Scouts grateful for recruitment ad
The Mullan Trail District of the Boy Scouts, Missoula County's local district of the Boy Scouts of America, thanks First Security Bank for their sponsorship of the billboard on South Russell Street between First Street and the tiver.
The billboard, which features NASCAR driver and honorary chairman of the Cub Scouts' fall recruitment campaign Jeff Gordon, and a group of Cub Scouts around his race car, provides a Web site for more information (www.jointcubscouting.org).
If you or your son are interested in joining Scouting at any level, Cubs Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, or High Adventure Crews, please call 251-4250 or 549-6312 and we will hook you up with one of the many outstanding units in the Missoula Area.
Tom Russell, Mullan Trail District commissioner, Missoula
'Trash men' gave help in time of need
Great article on our "trash men" (Aug. 31).
They do a great job with our trash and we will be more careful with the grass for them. However, they do more than that.
In December '07, as they were servicing my daughter's neighborhood, Loren Leiby and his partner came upon my son-in-law down on the ground in front of his home.
Apparently knowing CPR, Loren performed CPR, while his partner called
9-1-1. After the responsibility was taken over by the 9-1-1 rollers, he went on to perform his trash pickup, probably a bit shook-up, not knowing the end results.
Knowing my college-age granddaughter was viewing all of this, in great distress, they took the time to stop at the hospital to discover he had passed.
Their concern was with my granddaughter, who was visibly upset. However, with all the sadness, this was a light for all of us that they cared enough to stop and help, and stopped to give support and care. This is above and beyond the call, however it is Missoula and its people.
Although a bit late in giving Loren and his cohort a enormous thank-you for caring, concern and love, it is greatly heartfelt. They are more than engineers. They are caring trash men. We thank you from the top of love and caring!
Linda Stockstill and family, and Denise, Ashley and Jace Brittner, Missoula
Vote has real effect on neighbors' lives
I am writing you today because I feel that our nation has lost its direction in politics. On television I have seen many, many programs focusing directly on the presidential race. During my discussions with others, there seems to be a belief that choosing the correct candidate for this position will change the nation as a whole, and immediately at that.
My main focus in politics is health care, and I do not feel that any candidate can wave a magic wand and make miracles happen. The reality is that regardless of the person selected they can only lead their party in Congress, where our state representatives will ultimately decide the direction the nation will go.
That is why I want to reiterate the importance of local politics and particularly Initiative 155, the Healthy Montana Kids Initiative. This item on the fall ballot for our state would raise the eligibility levels for our Children's Health Insurance Program. By doing so, this initiative would cover an additional 30,000 children in our state who are uninsured.
This is an opportunity that we have to make a vote on the November ballot that will directly affect our friends and neighbors and do so immediately, not through the possible influence that a presidential candidate may have over the entirety of Congress. Voting for I-155 is a way for you to make a lasting and immediate impact on the residents of our state.
Bradley Seaman, Missoula
Alternative honors our city's integrity
One of the most life-changing decisions that I made last year was to commit to walking and biking to work and other places around town.
I have had dozens of conversations in recent months with like-minded individuals who are motivated to reduce their dependence on oil and live a healthier lifestyle. When I walk and bike the streets of our downtown and rural neighborhoods, I am struck by the unique sense of place that Missoula provides for our children and families.
As we grow as a community, it is vital that when we design our streets and public spaces we place a priority on pedestrian and bicycle safety and provide benches, broad sidewalks, bicycle paths, parks and other meeting places that promote a strong sense of neighborhood and community. For this reason, I strongly advocate that we consider alternatives to the five-lane thoroughfare being proposed for Russell Street.
The city- and state-proposed street design is the kind of "one-size-fits-all" development that does not honor the uniqueness of our city and will undermine the integrity of some of Missoula's oldest and finest neighborhoods along the Russell Street corridor. I encourage everyone to consider a citizen-driven alternative known as "3-Plus for Russell," which provides for a neighborhood-friendly street and increased safety and utility for all modes of transportation.
Kevin Dohr, Missoula
Back the person, not the party
What is it about elections that bring out the worst in people? I have never heard such back-biting and hatefulness. How can anyone vote for someone for president who is the biggest name-caller I have ever heard? Doesn't God say to love your enemies? They act like little kids.
I guess everyone thinks their party is the best, but keep in mind that talk is cheap. They say what they want you to hear, and what they have to say to get elected.
Look at their record. You don't hire a kid to do a man's job. Experience is the best teacher. What experience has he had?
Why not vote for the person instead of the party? We might get more done if they were all one party.
Helen Wylie, Missoula
Only Barr is focused on national debt
Call from the Obama campaign:
Hello?
Yes this is **** from the Obama campaign calling to see if we could count on your vote for Obama for president for 2008.
No.
So, you're voting for John McCain? (Snide tone of voice.)
No.
Who are you voting for then?
Bob Barr.
Why are you voting for Bob Barr?
Because he is the only candidate that has addressed the most pressing matter in our nation today: our debt. Do you know what our national debt is, not including Medicare or Social Security?
No, but I can look it up. (Muffled phone.) John, what's our national debt? (John:
$3.4 trillion.) Sir, it's $3.4 trillion. (Smugly.)
Nope. It's almost triple that, and that's my point. Neither of the third-party candidates address that. I've looked up Obama's plan on his own Web site and it doesn't even address it. China and Saudi Arabia are buying up our debt quickly and we do nothing about it. Bob Barr not only knows about it, addresses it, but has a plan to solve it. You've called the wrong house. Call someone who doesn't have a clue. Bye.
Patrick Daugherty, Missoula
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