An update from Rep. Ingraham

With the first day of spring about to burst forth, it brings to mind a couple of March dates which will soon be upon us. One such date is March 30th when the 62nd Legislative Session passed House Bill 255. HB 255 was an effort to help heal the wounds of Vietnam era veterans by establishing a “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.” HB 225 set March 30th of each year as the day for remembering our Vietnam Veterans. On Sunday, March 30th, Montanans will, once again, observe and celebrate this special day of remembrance, by remembering all the men and women who served in the armed forces during the Vietnam War.

“Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” is meant to provide an appreciation to Vietnam Veterans who deserve recognition for their service but did not receive any at the time of their homecoming. Also, it is meant to be a day which will promote awareness of the faithful service of Vietnam Veterans, promote awareness of their contributions to the country and recognize the assistance that veterans of the war in Vietnam are providing to the returning veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in recovering from their wounds, both seen and unseen, and in supporting the reintegration of these new veterans back into civilian life.

While building our economy continues to be very much on everyone’s mind, restoration of our once robust economy will take time and it brings to mind another date, March 29th. On that Saturday, Sanders County an opportunity to do something locally that can help with that recovery and the building a strong local economy.

It seems obvious that we do business where we perceive we’ll find the best value for our time and money in an effort to be the best stewards of our dollars. However, perceptions are not always accurate when we are lacking some of the essential information for making fully informed decisions. While we see and hear of all of those corporate chain ads, internet shopping and dollar saving options, we all find ourselves under-informed about the many important values independent local businesses provide to us individually and as a community.

Local business owners do more than just invest dollars into their businesses for their benefit, they also are investing in the long term health of the community. Community-based businesses are essential to charitable endeavors, with members of those businesses frequently serving on local boards and supporting a variety of causes. They are part of the community, you can hear their voices in the grandstands cheering for the home team during one of our many neighborhood school events and athletic games and sporting an arms length of 50-50 tickets, you visit with them on the sidelines or in the grocery store and you see them as a neighbor, one who gives back to the place we all call home.

As you can see, shopping locally is more than about saving a dollar, it’s about investing that dollar in the health of your community. For those of us in Sanders County, whether a business owner or a customer, we have a unique opportunity to attend the annual Plains Trade Fair on March 29th, a March date worth remembering, in order to strengthen customer relationships, see new products and services being launched, able to participate in live demonstrations of products, support our local businesses by getting to know one another and what products are available, a chance to visit with neighbors and overall, promote the benefits of doing business locally.

Now it is your turn to “Keep in Touch” by contacting me regarding your questions or concerns. I can be reached via e-mail at pathd13@blackfoot.net, or call me at 827-4652 or by mail at P.O. Box 1151, Thompson Falls, Montana 59873.