Letters to the Editor

On Burr and Vaupel

A while back I was tempted to write with a niggling complaint about Patrick Burr's reporting on a city council meeting. At that time I was left wondering if he was reporting the news or writing a novel. The wording was too ornate and confusing for what should have been a "just the facts, ma'am" report. I'm glad I didn't, as he's shaping up quite nicely. His reporting is much clearer, with fewer $10 words and flowery phrases. His latest report, about the mural at the post office, did revert a bit to that, but it was a delight to read. The subject matter didn't require plain reporting, and it kept my brain engaged and amused. (It needs the exercise.)

Now, on to Virgil Vaupel: I do always read his opinion pieces as he does have a way with words, be they "flabbergasted pronouns" or discombobulated verbs. I might rarely agree with him, but he is interesting. I'm also quite pleased to see him reporting on sports again. I know he's biased towards 'his' teams (Hinsdale/Saco), but he does make the events he covers come alive. I usually skip all the sports reporting, as I no longer having a vested interest in them, but I will read Virgil's reports.

– Mary Honrud

Opheim, MT

To Our Friends

in Glasgow

We weren’t running from anything, but we sure moved in a hurry. Our oldest son, who encouraged us to make this move, and who engineered it, called and said, “Can you be packed and ready to move in four days?”

We recruited our daughter from Sheridan, Wyo., to pack our things and have a garage sale and Amber recruited two friends to help her. One from Sheridan brought a U-haul truck from Wyoming, drove it here and towed her car for the return trip.

We’ve had to endure smoke from forest fires for about two weeks, but it is clear now.

This is beautiful forested country, but I miss Montana, especially our friends and business friends. We are living in the Garden Valley Retirement Community located on a forested hillside. We are close to a VA center, hospital, etc.

– Willis and Iris Cook

Roseberg, OR

Buying Local

Matters

Yesterday, our City Council voted to outsource the role of our City Attorney to a telecommuter from White Sulphur Springs to save $500.00 a month. Going forward, our new City Attorney will travel to Glasgow for the council meeting in the third week of the month, weather permitting. Beyond that, she will be here in person for “large emergencies,” but the vast majority of city business, court appearances, and criminal trials will be conducted via phone, mail, and teleconferencing. This is an interesting philosophy. Which positions can we outsource to save funds next? The city clerks? City Judge or Engineer? The Recreation or Water Departments? The Police Chief? If Glasgow's services are for sale to the lowest bidder – where should we stop?

Establishing brick and mortar facilities in our community, and paying a fair share of local property taxes has value. Hiring, training, and promoting local employees has value. And volunteering for local civic organizations, serving on community boards, and being involved in our community on a daily basis has value. Glasgow is a great community, and I am proud to raise my family here. Holding public office can be a difficult and unfortunately underappreciated task, and I applaud the service our City Council members provide. They have made great strides to improve transparency of city government this year, including launching a new city website. However, after speaking with council members today regarding this decision - I still believe that this is a mistake. If you agree, please contact the City Council to tell them that buying local matters, and our tax dollars should be invested into local employees.

Ward 1: Nancy Schoenfelder 228-2139, and Stan Ozark 228-9336

Ward 2: Melanie Sorenson 228-6265, and Dan Durrell 228-9583

Ward 3: Rod Karst 228-8757, and Dan Carr 939-5309

– Sarah Swanson Partridge

Glasgow, MT