Editorials

Recent county happenings an antidote for cynicism

Published on Fri, 07/22/2016 - 3:51pm

Just when the news leaves you cynical and jaded about the state of international and national affairs — from the recent killings in Nice, France, to the Republican National Convention in Cleveland — recent developments in Park County provide inspiration.

There were many high points along the way as we rocketed through another July — how can it be almost over already? Following is an outline of some noteworthy items.

Thank you

Published on Thu, 07/21/2016 - 3:03pm

We take them for granted, the men and women of law enforcement who provide us with round-the clock protection, sometimes at the risk of their own lives.

That risk has been tragically apparent in the recent killing of police officers in Dallas, Baton Rouge and other cities around the country.

Being a law enforcement officer is more than a job — it’s a service to one’s community.

That’s why they do it.

GUEST EDITORIAL: Independent crash investigations will keep railroads safe

Published on Wed, 07/20/2016 - 3:01pm

There was a time in America when railroads were a sovereign power — close to being a fourth branch of government.

In the 19th century, thanks to their enormous land grants and economic clout, they had the power to make some communities boom or bust. They held plenty of sway in Washington, D.C., too.

Even today, railroads pull plenty of might down their tracks, and can wield similar power within the industries and economies that rely on them.

GUEST EDITORIAL: Pokémon Go gets players out and about

Published on Tue, 07/19/2016 - 3:01pm

Urgently, secretly, behind closed doors a few years ago, doctors, personal trainers and fed-up parents must have hatched the idea behind “Pokémon Go.”

There is no better explanation of a game designed to get teens and young adults off the couch, launching their squinting, sunlight-shy eyes out into nature, onto city sidewalks, walking their community parks, campuses, neighborhoods. Yes, they are still looking at tiny screens and grunting, but they are no longer hiding indoors.

GUEST EDITORIAL: Drug abuse tearing Montana families apart

Published on Mon, 07/18/2016 - 3:46pm

It’s no coincidence that Montana is seeing an increase in its prison population at the same time that it is seeing an increase in the number of children in state care. Both are rooted in the same problem: a drastic rise in illicit drug use, especially meth.

The situation has reached the point of crisis; drug abuse is literally tearing Montana families apart, and local and state resources are woefully insufficient to keep up with the rising demand on our courts, our prisons and our child welfare systems.

City deserves praise for reducing spending

Published on Fri, 07/15/2016 - 4:20pm

The headline on the front page of Wednesday’s edition of this newspaper, “City holds spending down for upcoming budget year,” may have caught you by surprise.

So often we hear about our nation’s leaders at the local, state and federal levels raising taxes to offset ever-increasing costs to maintain crumbling infrastructure, pay employees and keep the lights on.

Driving U.S. Highway 89 South

Published on Thu, 07/14/2016 - 3:15pm

Anyone who’s lived here for even a short time has found out: U.S. 89 South is a dangerous road.

It’s two-lane, it’s heavy with local and tourist traffic, it features lots of connecting driveways, lots of deer, and has a world-class view that can distract even the most conscientious driver, let alone vacation-goers who’ve never seen anything like it before.

According to the Montana Highway Patrol, since 2011 five people have died on U.S. 89 South — two in 2012, one in 2013 and two in 2014.

We can’t keep doing this

Published on Thu, 07/07/2016 - 3:19pm

These things keep popping up one after another.

A mining proposal for the flanks of Emigrant Peak. A mining proposal for Jardine. A gravel pit/asphalt plant proposal south of Emigrant.

Two of these operations would be in Paradise Valley, one of the most beautiful spots on earth.

As they pop up, people opposed try to shoot them down.

Candy-tossing conundrum

Published on Fri, 07/01/2016 - 2:37pm

There are major issues facing Livingston and Park County, such as the threat of mining and gravel pit operations in Paradise Valley, and budget and waste disposal concerns. 

But sometimes you have to drop everything and deal with matters needing immediate attention, like the candy tossing tradition at our Livingston Roundup Parade.

GUEST EDITORIAL: Do what’s right, Mr. Attorney General

Published on Thu, 06/30/2016 - 4:26pm

All right, Attorney General Fox, your reputation depends on what you do now.

You could say that’s impossible — a previously distinguished career in public service can’t be defined by a single arbitrary decision about relocating 35 jobs.

But political careers have been made and lost on a lot less.

Here are the facts: Bureaucrats in the Department of Justice (which you, not the governor, control under a vagary of the Montana Constitution) made a decision to close the Title and Registration Bureau office in Deer Lodge.