Letters to the Editor - Feb. 26
Unintended consequences
Howdy Editor!
One of my favorite books is titled: Unintended Consequences by John Ross; I recommend it to everyone who reads this post. Very often, things are done and unforeseen results are experienced. Often, those results are less than beneficial, such as the case now with the eviction of the Veteran’s Tri-state Stand Down formerly held in the Sanders County Fairgrounds. Who could have foreseen the Stand Down being forced to move to Trout Creek after that event gained nationwide acclaim as the largest, most successful event of its kind?
The fact that the Stand Down’s move to Trout Creek was neither planned by the Fair Board, nor popular with the Board, is evidenced by the Board’s frequent, ineffective, attempts to bring the Stand Down back to the fairgrounds. In fact, it seems as though the Fair Board is unable to grasp the fact that there are decision-makers involved other than themselves and Billy Hill, like, maybe even the Veterans Administration?
This year, the Stand Down will be held at the Huckleberry Festival site as planned, or not at all, because the location and date is already registered with the VA. Trout Creek’s formal agreement is expected this week.
Happy Trails,
Dick Wells,
Thompson Falls
Slick Piece of propaganda
Editor,
Common Core education seems to be a subject of polar opposites. After reading the official Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) information for Legislators, I was nearly convinced that this program heralded the second coming. It is a slick piece of propaganda to say the least. There are a number of myths about Common Core (CC) that need to be addressed. In the interests of brevity, I will only mention three:
OPI and the US Department of Education wants you to believe that CC was a state-led initiative. Fact – funding came primarily from private sources such as the Gates Foundation and textbook publishers and had virtually no input from the states. The Department of Education was instrumental in putting together the consortium of private trade organizations and unions that did the actual development.
CC was adopted by the states (46) voluntarily without coercion. Fact – Our legislature never analyzed or voted on implementing CC. Instead, a financial carrot was dangled in front of OPI and ultimately the local school boards in the form of Race to the Top funds and No Child Left Behind waivers. How long will these funds last?
We will have control of content and standards. Fact – To get the funds, states (and school boards) must accept the CC standards and curriculum. These cast in stone standards will drive curriculum uniformity and we end up with robots that will only know the PC versions of history or literature.
As a taxpayer, over 60 percent of your property taxes go to our schools. Therefore we all have a vested interest in what is taught and the standards that are used to measure progress. Just because your children may be out of the school doesn’t preclude you from having a stake in this dilemma. Our Plains School Board apparently doesn’t want to allow discussion concerning CC, so a public meeting will be held in the middle of March to help clear the air.
Sincerely,
Ken Matthiesen
Plains
You are Superior
It’s hard to believe this 2014 basketball season is nearing an end. Several people in the wings make the games happen. The staff who set up the schedules, makes sure the buses are ready, safe and a responsible person to drive; who makes sure the supplies are in order for the concession stand and bake sales, with people to man them. Let’s not forget all the integral people who organize and contact those necessary for these events: the ticket taker, the band members; the upcoming lower grade students who are just getting their toes wet at half-time; the photographers; the score and stat keepers (who verify length of play, scores, how many and by whom); the team managers; the ref’s; coaches; and the medical person who is on site during games in case of injuries.
As a substitute teacher, I have had the privilege to watch these young people practice, refine their skills, and attempt unusual shots because of a love of the game. There is respect, camaraderie and compassion for each other in the sisterhood and brotherhood of these special families of team mates. A few of the students have asked me why so few people come to the games. It is a shame, because these kids are beyond awesome and the community people are missing out. I see such dedication by the coaches and the students involved. Some practices are at 6 am in order to get gym time, some have to commute 20 to 30 miles, and parents revamp their family schedules to get kids there or pick them up as late as 11-12 p.m., while other students fend for themselves to get to and fro. There is never any complaining about how tired they are or how hard it is.
These four teams, girls and boys, junior varsity and varsity, exhibit great talent, amazing team work, and operate like well-oiled machines. But sometimes it seems like ten people get tossed into an invisible mixer and are suddenly spit out with people slamming into walls, each other, or rolled across the floor. Just as quickly these incredible kids get up and keep going, for the team and the love of the game. There are bruises, jammed fingers, ankle and back sprains, and concussions, knee injuries which sometimes result with surgery which is the tough part of the game for the injured party, the team, and the parents. Great sportsmanship is exhibited even during gym classes as well as small “how to” tips from one another.
You have an inner strength as well as a higher power to believe in. When you think there is no one else, know that you have these two strengths to rely upon. Look in the mirror and love that person, because that person will be with you to the end. You can do anything you set your mind to do. Never give up. Keep pushing till the final buzzer. You are in charge of you destiny. Make it worth the journey. Remember - you are the best! You are super stars! You are Superior!
Sheelia Miller,
Superior
Shame and blame
Shame and blame would be a good synopsis of last Wednesday nights’ fair board meeting.
No doubt the papers will already cover ‘the happenings.’ What might not be covered is how this meeting was a combination of dysfunction and personal agenda on full display.
A meeting meant to be for the public, conducted by those who supposedly represent ‘the public’ was used as a kangaroo court to openly shame a private citizen. The matter before the fair board was of course the Stand Down conducted by Billy Hill. For months, the fair board has been saying that they cannot make a decision on what to do for Billy until they have their requested documents from the VA. In light of the result they were hoping for, those documents proved useful for the public shaming ceremony- mission accomplished! However, this whole ordeal also proves the dysfunction of how the fair is managed. For the two years it was conducted, Manager Mike Hashisaki has not had a written contract with Hill for the Stand Down. Contracts are somewhat vital when you are trying to prove things like: rent, terms, and conditions. How on earth was an event as large as the Stand Down allowed to be done for the last two years without such a contract? Who gets paid, what and how? What happens if someone is injured?
For those of us who have watched over the years just how this manager operates, it really comes as no surprise.
Rather than dragging this whole thing out, a simple solution may have been the very thing that caused the problem in the first place: a contract. Simply put, the Stand Down could have been kept at the fairgrounds this year, while the Board awaited their documents. They could have negotiated something along the lines of: “the Fair will charge the Stand Down $-X- amount, but should it be found that funds were made available to the organizer from the VA and not forwarded per the contract, the Fair will do the following….” The greater good should have remained in the forefront: keeping this function to benefit the Veterans. While in the background, the other matters could still be handled.
My take away in watching this whole debacle: shame on them all! Shame on the fair board for letting this thing go on for the better part of a year, shame on the manager for his continued unprofessional conduct, shame on Billy for not insisting on a contract and not being forthright from the beginning to those of us who believed this a simple matter of non-negotiation on behalf of the county, and finally shame on the County Commissioners for continuing to endorse the bad behavior by their inaction.
Mary Halling,
Plains
Broken political system
Dear Editor,
As I watch and listen to the daily news I become more frustrated each day. Some people tell me that I should just stop watching but I don’t feel that is the answer.
Something is wrong. A President that feels if he can’t get his way just gets his pen out and does what he wants. What has happened to our Constitution?
Scandal after scandal….Benghazi, IRS, NSA, Obamacare and on and on. Congressional solution…Congressional investigations! Ha, ha they get no where and that my friends is exactly their intent. Why not independent investigations such as the case in the Nixon era? Can’t afford it some say.
Ridiculous if you look at all the other baloney they find money for.
Now we seem to be moving in the direction of the Cold War once again and our leaders are rubbing their collective hands together and have no clue how to respond other than to say ”there will be repercussions.” Hold on, all we need to do is sit down and visit. Give me a break.
Much of what is happening relative to domestic and foreign policy is in my opinion the fact that we have a situation where power has accumulated to such a degree that action seems impossible. I believe this inaction is the result of placing a need for reelection over the need of our country.
We need term limits! Do you think our current President would not be contemplating a third term if he weren’t prevented from doing so? The same thing should be the case for the Senate and the House!
Term limits is the only thing that will negate the collective misuse of power. Two terms for Senators (12 years max), six terms for the House (12 years max).
A few compelling statistics as we conclude. Thirty-six out of 100 Senators have been in office for over 17 years! The longest came into office in 1955. Five have been in office since the 1970s. 168 out of 431 House members have been in office over 17 years! Don’t tell me we need that experience. Their collective experience is two fold: (1) How to get elected and (2) How to get reelected!
Paul Snyder,
Plains
Applause to Hill
I am not an admirer of Billy Hill, but I do applaud him for what he has done for the veterans. Now because of a power struggle between him and the fair manager Mike Hashisaki, the Veterans Stand Down will not be held at the Fairgrounds this year. It will be held at Trout Creek however, but if it does not come off well, there is a chance Billy will not be able to put it on again. This is indeed a sad situation that came about just because of a battle of egos. The county commissioners could do something about this but have refused because in my opinion, they are afraid of Mike Hashisaki. There is no other explanation for this. Every one knows that Mike is the political boss in this county and if you deny that you are just whistling in the dark. What hold does he have on most of the elected officials in this county? Why will not some one stand up to him? Commissioners, blow your noses on a clean handkerchief and take a deep breath of clean air. There now, does that not feel better already? Did Mike put you in office or did the people put your there? If the latter, then it is way past time you started working for the people instead of just what one person says you can do.
Cordially
Gerald Cuvillier,
Trout Creek