Letters to the Editor - Feb. 13, 2013

In response to "Youth of Superior's time"

“The youth have no place to go and nothing to do for entertainment.” So what you are saying is that this small community should feel guilty that we voted “NO” to a $7,000,000.00 project so that the youth “have something to do.” Well, I for one, don’t feel guilty and I’m sure the other 642 voters don’t either. We are too small a community for such a pricey endeavor. There are so many retired people with limited incomes and others living on assistance. Those that are lucky to have a job, are still struggling to make ends meet. Have you noticed the dried up yards in the summer? Why? Because they can’t afford to pay the extra money on their water bill. Also, do you really think this center would have brought in enough money to sustain itself? I for one, don’t. I do think the pool would get used a lot in the beginning, but how long before the newness wears off and attendance drops? As for the gym and the walking track, if I wanted to get the benefits of using either one, I would want to go at least 3 to 4 times a week. How many people do you think living close to it, will use it? And that leaves the rest of us who would have to drive. Maybe if you live in town you “may” drive. The rest of us will never use it. And are you aware that from 2007 to 2012 we have lost 66 students? So what will happen if the biggest employer, Tricon, was to shut down? Where do you think those people will go? It was mentioned “the center will attract more people to our community.” People aren’t going to move here or stay here just because of a Community Center. Unless you’re retired, only employment will keep families here. Before we think of spending umpteen dollars in a low income community, we need to consider everyone living here. People need jobs, not more taxes.

Norma Ireland, Superior

Gossip is intolerable

This is an open letter to all the gossip mongers in the county, Superior especially. Names are not necessary, you know who you are. My granddaughter Rebekah Bryant passed away on Jan. 27, 2013. No, it wasn’t suicide or drug over dose like you are spreading around. She died from complications from the flu virus. When something like this happens, and you want to know, call the family - we will tell you the truth. You have spread an evil hurtful lie. Is it not bad enough that she died but now her mom, sister and grandparents have to listen to these lies. Forgive yourselves and the next time a young person dies, leave the truth to come through before you spread maliciousness again. Becky loved everyone and would want me to forgive you. I do but don’t let your mouths over ride common decency, SHAME on YOU. Please don’t hurt someone else’s family like you have ours.

A grieving grandmother,

Sharon Alexander, Superior

Correction to CASA article

Dear Editor,

There is a slight correction of the article in regard to CASA’s plea for volunteers. I didn’t write the article. However Polly Cavill who is a Certified Advocate For Abused Children in Missoula County did write it. At present she is spearheading an attempt to establish a CASA in Sanders County. Since it is imperative to obtain more members in this group, in order to complete the end results, we are asking for more volunteers.

All the members of this group (except for me) have a priority commitment to their job. Anytime they give to the CASA organization is on their personal time. This is to be commended.

The National, State, and Local Grange’s project this last year is to develop public awareness of domestic abuse of children, women or men. And because I am an active Grange member I am also involved with the group in the establishment of CASA in Sanders County.

I am asking again to please consider volunteering for this most worthy cause. Children are the base for the future of our adult population and need to be protected to prevent irreversible problems.

Thank you,

Betty Boehler, Plains

Reaction to commercial

I felt that Paul Harvey’s address, first given before an annual conference of Young Future farmers, was both appropriate and an accurate portrayal of the lifestyle and challenges that farmers and ranchers face in the pursuit of a difficult and often unappreciated occupation. Given again at the 2013 Super Bowl, it was wholly unexpected but I personally believe it was a long due tribute to an industry upon which America’s foundation was built.

In the age of the first colonies, most of America’s population was engaged in agriculture. Today, only about 2% are so employed and the average age of this group is in their late fifties. There are only 751,000 farmers and ranchers in America. They are only .05% of all employed Americans (DOES HE MEAN .5%???). Yet today, the American farmer/rancher provides food for 155 people besides his own family. In 1960, a farmer fed just 26 people. Some murmur about farmers and ranchers for various reasons. My advice: please don’t complain with your mouth full. It isn’t considered good manners.

I can think of no more ancient, honorable or essential occupation. The first farmer wasn’t Adam. The first farmer was God. “...God planted a garden eastward of Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.” Genesis 1:8.

That I know of, no other occupation requires a greater diversity of skills, most of which are not taught in any modern agricultural college. Many are only learned in the “School of Hard Knocks” or unusual experiences passed on from father to son or neighbor to neighbor. The initial price of such an education requires not only a lot of money but also a commitment to a lifetime of hard and often unrewarded work. The penalty, for not knowing what to do in an emergency, may result in the loss of a calf, a vital sale, a crop, the farm/ranch or a personal injury.

Probably the most essential, unnoticed, unsung and undervalued individual of the farm/ranch team is the wife. Her role is overwhelming in its complexity. She usually must perform most of her husbands’ chores i he is unable to do or see that they are done. She must be a good mind reader. How else, or who else, could know that the supper she had carefully prepared would have to be stretched and hours later, be shared with the local veterinarian, hired hand and the neighbor. It would be she who would clean up the aftermath brought into her kitchen by a tired dirty crew who had just delivered a very large but very dead set of twins of a very sick mother cow. Such is the life of an extraordinary farm/ranch wife. When crop failure, disease, adverse weather conditions, herd sickness brings disappointment, distress and despair, she would be the one that listens and then offers encouraging counsel.

Many other worthy occupations need their stories told. I only wish that they could be given as honorably, publicly, and as eloquently as Paul Harvey did this one.

Everitt Foust, Moiese