Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
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Dear Editor, A friend and I recently spent eight days hunting birds in North Dakota and eastern Montana. The Covid-19 pandemic troubled us, but we decided to travel anyway. We spent time and money in restaurants and diners, bars, sporting goods stores, some service spots, hotels, and county conservation offices. We were treated with great friendliness wherever we went except for one thing: very few local people wore masks. My friend and I cut our trip short by a week. During that lost week, we...
Dear Editor, As the end of the election season approaches, the Peck Yes Team would like to thank the people of Glasgow for participating in this exciting campaign to bring backyard chickens to our town. At a time when national politics can be so polarized and contentious, it has been a change of pace to see a relatively minor local issue hold the spotlight. Driving through town, you will see more Peck Yes! And Cluck No! signs than any other political sign. Whatever the result of the election,...
Dear Editor, Let's just admit it: 2020 has been a real challenge. It all seemed to happen right around the time when we reset clocks in mid-March. Now, as we prepare for the end of daylight saving time in early November, and after recently spending some valuable time away, I've found a renewed energy, positive perspective and several new memories that will keep me focused. I take pride in a strong work ethic. Being raised on the farm, vacation was a novel concept because there was always work th...
Dear Editor, Earlier this year, I joined two Montana families at the United States Supreme Court. I went to hear the oral arguments for a landmark case very relevant to the State of Montana. The case was about equal protection under the Constitution, religious freedom, and protecting Montana families and children from being discriminated against because of the school they choose. I saw nine brilliant Supreme Court justices ask tough questions to both sides. Frankly, I saw the finest hour of deba...
According to an old ballad, “Saturday night” was the loneliest night of the week.” Not so for the Circle Diamond cowboys. After their once-a-week bath, either in a creek during the heat of summer days or with a tub full of water heated on the kitchen range, the next step was dressing up in clean attire. With permission of the ranch foreman, they were off on horseback to Malta where they encountered a few girls quite interested in accompanying them to a dance at Wagner, a tiny but lively town west of Malta. After locating the off-duty stage...
Dear Editor, I'm a veteran, and through the VA Health Care System in Montana I'm able to get the care I need. Ninety percent of all medications prescribed through the VA are delivered via the USPS. I receive several life saving medications through the mail. Normally it takes seven to 10 days for my prescriptions to arrive, but thanks to Postmaster General DeJoy and his asinine changes to the Postal Service it takes two to three weeks for me to get my medication. I also can't order my...
Dear Editor, He was a boy among men, a freckled, wide-eyed 12-year-old spending his first week in elk camp. From a low-income family, he listened intently to evening conversation reclined on a folding chair next to a rusted barrel stove in a canvas wall tent. On the third day, one of the hunters harvested a young cow elk. That evening I grilled its tenderloins, skewers of shrimp and whacked together mushrooms stuffed with bacon bits, parmesan cheese and minced peppers. Chowing rapturously throug...
Dear Editor, Agriculture is facing very pressing issues today that will determine the viability of family-owned operations. Future Federal and state administrations, governors, senators, representatives, and local governments are all going to have to make these issues a priority if our rural economy and communities are to remain viable as we know them today. Trade: It is imperative that we move past bilateral trade discussions and trade wars. It is generally understood the Trans Pacific...
Dear Editor, Indecisive? Shooting from the hip? NO, ALL was planned 2 years ago. When we came into this mess, we looked at what WAS and what NEEDED to be done- "FIAT." ...Latin- "Let it be done." A Review Decree with authorization with the Board Directors of NVCW/S District to spot trends and investigate past actions, both good and bad. Set priorities/ identify non-essential spending. What improvements were needed? Audit the books, evaluate the systems. Spend the money necessary to hire the...
I am sure not many grow sugar beets in this area anymore. However, “back in the day,” there used to be sugar beet dumps at many of the rail depots, as well as dumps at most every side stop, all along the Milk River Valley. I think that growing sugar beets may have been very labor intensive. I do know that Mexican labor was utilized for thinning and topping beets, but must admit that I cannot visualize that at all. I also think that the Prisoners of War that were housed in facilities at the old Glasgow Airport were used for Ag labor. Where was...
Dear Editor, There is a well funded international movement to convert the Northern Great Plains, from Saskatchewan to Nebraska, into a nature preserve. To start the process their plan is to restore huge herds of wild, free-ranging bison to immense tracts of land in selected areas. Guess what. Valley, Phillips and Blaine Counties are one of those selected areas! It is interesting that many people support these wild, free-ranging bison but only if they are in someone else's backyard. In 2014, the...
Dear Community and Donors to the FMDH Foundation, Greetings from the FMDH Foundation Corner. It’s hard to believe it’s already the time of year to have our annual meeting and fill you all in on what the Foundation has accomplished in the last year. We, like you, are learning to be adaptable. Though we won’t be meeting in person this year, we wanted to share the positive things we were still able to help our community with. The Foundation gifted $25,000 in scholarships to the following students pursuing a medical field: Kiauna Barstad Teaga...
The Valley CARE Coalition proudly presents stories from Valley County residents who have struggled, continue to struggle, or have found peace surrounding mental health, substance use disorders, or behavioral health. Battling this is a symbol of strength and courage and should be highlighted as such. Just Talk There are a few memories that I can never seem to shake. I was alone in my room at two in the morning and nothing was going right. I had no motivation or direction. Neither my school life nor family life seemed to be working. I remember...
No, I did not retire completely—just semi. Actually I was not aware of a change to the Courier e-mail. When my items did not get published I just assumed they had enough news with the Covid, politics, sports, etc. that they did not need any fillers. Reading about Brian Austin’s new business venture has brought back memories of Brian’s heritage. Do you remember the old Austin Packing Plant located on the Tampico Highway close to the Milk River Bridge? I would guess that the majority of butchering and preparing for the freezer was done at this...
Dear Editor, The devalue of property is still real in Glasgow. I checked with real estate agents here in Glasgow. They said that although it isn't a 100 percent guarantee that property would be devalued with city chickens, but it is a very high probability. I agree that Billings and Missoula still have high property value. We could also claim that if we had a college, malls, big box stores or more Hi-Tech business, etc. There are many reasons why we shouldn't be compared to Billings or...
Dear Editor, Here in Montana we are granted the right to vote on ballot initiatives once they clear a number of hurdles, including having the related petition garner enough qualifying signatures. Not achieved, however, is the ability to hold public hearings on the proposed issue – such as is accomplished during legislative debate, fiscal review and the amendment process. On Nov. 3, we will be voting on CI-118 which would legalize marijuana here in Montana. Aside from what the proponents and oppo...
To Glasgow Residents, The City of Glasgow’s priority work area for this year’s Annual Paving Project is the two City blocks on 2nd Ave. South between 4th Street South and 6th Street South. The City recognizes this two block stretch of street as the downtown hub for many of Glasgow’s businesses and public attractions. In an effort to improve access and to keep our down town vibrant, we will be rehabilitating the street grade and resurfacing that section of 2nd Ave. South. The cost of this project is $138,000. Street improvement/Rehab Proje...
Dear Editor, Our current world has been turned upside down and created a deep sense of uncertainty and stress. Our normal routines and patterns of activities are no longer routine, we have developed new protocols such as hand-washing and wearing a mask, and we are careful to limit our social interactions and maintain appropriate social distancing. A year ago, this was not even in our awareness as a potential way we would start to live our lives. In the times of uncertainty and transition, we...
Friends and Neighbors, The Empire Builder has been a life-line in northern Montana for decades, however another cloud hangs over the Passenger Service. There is effort to re-establish the Southern Mt. Hiawatha Passenger Service (terminated 1979) from Chicago to Sand Point Idaho, by creating the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority. It will comprise of counties from Dawson Co. (Glendive) to Missoula Co. Once established another study will ensue, then funding and approval of the Southern route by...
Dear Editor, As I wrap up my eight years on the Public Service Commission, I think back on all that I have learned. Having previously run an employment agency for 37 years, it's second nature for me to ask, "What are the most important qualifications for being a good commissioner?" As a life-long Republican, my answer may surprise you, because the stuff that makes for a great PSC commissioner is uniquely different from other political offices. Truthfully, the nature of the job – the wise r...
Dear Editor, Did you know that every three hours in the United States, a person or vehicle is hit by a train? My organization, the national rail safety education nonprofit Operation Lifesaver, Inc., partners with the American Farm Bureau Federation and other groups to remind farm equipment operators to pay extra attention where field and farm access roads cross train tracks. To raise awareness of the dangers for drivers and pedestrians and share tips for avoiding these incidents, OLI and its...
Dear Editor, For those unfamiliar, Resolution 3039, an initiative to allow backyard chickens, will appear on this November's ballot. The proposed initiative would allow a maximum of six hens, no roosters, require a permit and limit coops to backyards only. In last week's Letters to the Editor, Shirley Seifert brought up some specific concerns regarding this ordinance and I would like to address these one by one. 1. The simplified phrasing of the ballot initiative is common practice in most...
Dear Editor, I live in NE Montana near Scobey. Austin Knudsen was my representative for eight years, four as the most powerful person in the Legislature as Speaker. The western half of Daniels County has over half its land owned by the State. The State used to pay an in lieu payment to the county to make up for the property taxes they don't pay. The local taxpayer make up the difference. I have always followed this as my father Ed got the in lieu payment enacted in the '60s and Sam Kitzenberg...
Dear Editor, I've had two kidney transplants and I depend on immunosuppressants to prevent my body from rejecting the new kidney. My insurance requires that I receive my medication through the USPS. I could die if my medication does not come in the mail on time. The procedural changes that Postmaster General DeJoy has made have delayed mail delivery all over the county. I'm incredibly worried that these changes and the federal government's inability to appropriately fund the USPS will cause my...
Dear Editor, To Glasgow city residents: More things to ponder before voting for the chicken referendum in November. 1. The wording on the ballot does not say it will follow, to the letter, Resolution No. 3039. It just says, chickens will be allowed in city limits, yes or no. Go to the City Council web page and read the whole resolution. Can random changes be made concerning the chickens if the wording is invalid or unconstitutional? 2. It isn’t clear whether or not the debris collected when cleaning is ‘legal’ to put in the dumpsters. Is there...