Valley Views

valley views The time to support local news is now

Congress has an opportunity to pass legislation that benefits all local citizens, businesses and even protects our democracy. The Local Journalism Sustainability Act, LJSA for short, should be included as part of any upcoming reconciliation bill that Congress is considering. The LJSA is a wellthoughtout bill that would provide needed support to local news organizations, including local newspapers, to ensure their viability as they continue to make progress toward a digital future.

Many members of Congress have seen what happens when a newspaper closes in their district, and they see the impact it has on the community. That is why many of our leaders, including Senators Cantwell, Schumer, Manchin, Wyden and others have stepped up in support of the LJSA. And while others in Congress may not have signed on as co-sponsors of the bill yet, many recognize the importance and the need to maintain strong local news organizations in their communities.

To understand what the LJSA is, it is important to understand what it is not. This is a temporary measure to help newspapers at this critical time, and it sunsets after five years. The LJSA won’t help national news organizations, but it will support local news organizations and help them invest in their newsrooms in order to continue to cover the issues that impact local cities and towns. The result is a bill that provides a bridge for local newspapers as they continue to evolve their business models. So why is it so critical for Congress to pass the LJSA now? Quite simply, the future of local newspapers in many areas of the country hangs in the balance. In the past 15 years, more than a quarter of all newspapers have disappeared, and many more have been forced to make staff reductions that have diminished the coverage of topics that impact local citizens. The way people get their information and advertise their local businesses is quickly moving to digital, and local newspapers continue to be impacted by the Big Tech companies that use their original content without fair compensation. To make matters worse, newspapers, like many other industries, were financially impacted by the pandemic, even though the coverage provided by local newspapers was more vital than ever.

The current economic challenges have only hastened the need for Congress to act on the LJSA quickly. As inflation is impacting everyone, it has made the environment for local newspapers even more challenging. The cost of retaining employees has gone up. The cost of newsprint has increased 30% over last year, and the cost of gas used to deliver the newspaper is up more than 50% in the past two years. Many newspaper carriers drive hundreds and even thousands of miles each week. These increases have driven many local newspapers closer to making further reductions or even ceasing operations.

Who wins with the passage of the Local Journalism Sustainability Act? Clearly, local newspapers win by obtaining the support needed to continue their investments in reporting on local news. But the real winners are the communities that keep their local newspaper. From watching the actions of local government, reporting on the state of local schools, tracking local health trends or providing the latest restaurant reviews and sales information, local newspapers keep a community connected and informed.

We encourage everyone to reach out to their representatives in Congress and ask them to support local journalism. Whether it is inclusion of the LJSA in the budget reconciliation bill, or a stand-alone bill, the time for action is now. It’s a rare opportunity for government to act on something that benefits us all.

America’s Newspapers is the trade association for thousands of newspapers across the United States. Visit www.newspapers.org to learn more.

Dean Ridings

Newspaper View Dean Ridings, CEO America's Newspapers

Let’s talk about term limits

Americans are divided over just about everything today. From politics to sports to entertainment, Americans do not agree on anything, except for their dislike of career D.C. politicians in Congress. Poll after poll indicates that over 80% of Americans support term limits for Congress, regardless of political affiliation. Those are percentages that such famous Montanans as Gary Cooper and Evel Knievel could not achieve. And voters repeatedly elect political candidates who support term limits. Americans see Congress as part of the problem for the dysfunction that we see today in our institutions. According to Gallup, approval for Congress has not reached 30% in over a decade. Voters don’t see Congress working for them. As I have travelled around Montana, I have heard this sentiment expressed over and over again.

For many, serving in Congress has become a lucrative lifelong job. We have one member of the House of Representatives who was first elected in 1980. In the Senate, we have a Senator serving

Valley Views Ed Walker Former MT State Senator

see page 11

LETTER POLICY

Letters to the editor are welcome. The content is the opinion of the letter writer and not the newspaper. The decision to publish letters is made by the editor.

Letters must be 350 words or less. A writer will only be published twice per month.

Letters may be edited for content or length, or may not be published if considered libelous, in poor taste, spiteful, self-promotional or of limited interest to the general readership. Space limitations also dictate when or if letters are published.

Letters must be signed by the author and name, address and phone number must be included – phone number is for verification purposes only. Letters from organizations must include the name of at least one author.

Please limit “thank you” letters to four people/organizations or less. Deadline is 5 p.m. Friday to publish the following week.

Opinions expressed in this section are not necessarily those of the newspaper.

from page 10

who was first elected in 1974. That is 90 years in Congress between the two of them. Sadly, but now to be expected, both are seeking re-election in 2022. Such self-interested behavior led Harry Truman to say, “term limits would cure both; senility and seniority- both terrible legislative diseases.”

What is the solution? Term limits.

But Congress has never voted to term limit themselves, and never will. The initial desire to supposedly serve us is eventually over taken by them serving themselves. Although there are a few members of Congress who favor congressional term limits and are backing legislation to enact it, this legislation faces stiff opposition from entrenched Washington insiders.

So, what can be done? Under Article V of the U.S. Constitution, individual states can issue a call for a national convention to propose amendments to the Constitution. This allows states to make an end run around Congress. If two-thirds (34) of the state legislatures apply for an Article V convention to propose a Congressional Term Limits Amendment, Congress must call the convention. If the convention passes the amendment, it is sent back to the States and requires three-fourths (38) of them to ratify it before it becomes part of the U.S. Constitution. That is a difficult feat for sure, but doable if Montana, and their Legislators, do their part. Dwight Eisenhower supported congressional term limits, saying, “a constitutional amendment for congressional term limits could never achieve the blessing of Congress; it could be initiated only by the states.”

Five states, - Florida, Alabama, Missouri, West Virginia, and Wisconsin – have passed resolutions calling for a national convention to amend the Constitution limited to the subject of Congressional term limits. So why isn’t Montana one of the states calling for an Article V Convention for congressional term limits? The Montana State Legislature won’t act unless they get permission from, believe it or not, the John Birch Society, which opposes an Article V Convention.

You might ask, what does the John Birch Society have to do with this? I thought they were about fighting communism and promoting smaller government. That may have been your parent’s John Birch Society in the 1950’s. But today’s John Birch Society is about maintaining the status quo. Forget smaller government and what the people want. There is a reason why Ronald Reagan and Barry Goldwater publicly denounced the John Birch Society.

Utah resident Robert Brown, a national spokesman for the John Birch Society, was recorded recently saying that Montana Legislative Leaders declared in a letter that they will not bring forward an Article V bill for Term Limits unless an opposing private interest from Texas debates him (Bircher Brown). Think of that. Montanans will not have access to the legislative process unless some guy from Texas debates some guy from Utah?

In effect, the John Birch Society is claiming it controls the Montana legislature, and so the Legislature is accountable to it instead of Montana voters. This is absurd on its face, but when asked about it in a Missoula meeting, Brown didn’t deny the peculiar quid pro quo existed between the John Birch Society and Montana legislative leaders.

And what does the John Birch Society oppose? An Article V Convention limited to congressional term limits. The John Birch Society claims that a state legislature cannot bind delegates to a single-issue convention and that it would result in an unlimited “runaway” Constitutional convention. They claim this despite the fact Constitutional scholars on all sides of the political spectrum have stated that state legislatures can bind the delegates in a narrow Article V Convention, including liberal Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagen and Sonia Sotomayor.

Congressional term limits is the one thing that Ron DeSantis, Herschel Walker, Donald Trump, Barack Obama, Beto O’Rourke and Bill de Blasio all agree on. Montana can be leading the way in making congressional term limits a reality. Yet we are not because our legislature won’t act unless they get the green light from the John Birch Society.

As a former Montana State Senator and now State Chair of U.S. Term Limits, I have travelled the state advocating that the legislature retain its public responsibilities, and Article V powers, and pass a resolution calling for a convention for congressional term limits. From Billings to Great Falls to Bozeman to Eureka to Big Sandy the reaction has been the same, Montanans want term limits for Congress. Yet our legislature refuses to act unless it receives permission from the John Birch Society. Enough is enough. Will the Montana Legislature continue to serve the John Birch Society, or the people of Montana?

Ed Walker is a former Montana State Senator and the Montana State Chair for U.S. Term Limits vj

We thank you

Editor,

We would like to express our appreciation to the American Legion, the VFW, and the Honor Guard for their part in honoring our fallen heroes this Memorial Day Weekend in Ronan. From placing the flags and crosses on the graves, to the parade, to their part in acquiring a veteran’s plot in the Ronan cemetery, and to the service dedicating that space. Thank you for your hard work and your commitment to assuring that we shall not forget the sacrifices made for our freedom. We are proud that you all are part of our community, Thank you for your service.

Gary and Norma Granley Ronan

Control

Editor,

I have been reading the responses to my abortion letter and must say it seems to be the major concern is control. Women were given all the control they needed

see page 12

Now Hiring!

Apply on line or ask for an application! Positions available: Line cooks, Expo’s, Dishwashers Join the team

from page 11

the day the birth control pill went on the market. Now women could plan their lives as to when they wanted a child.

There was no need for abortion laws because there would be no unwanted pregnancies. Of course you do have to take the pill.

And the argument that who will support the unwanted child is a complete cop out. There are people waiting in line and there is no excuse for it. Rape, incest and health issues for the woman are addressed in the law.

I refuse to apologize or justify my Christian faith. Every time there is an unwanted pregnancy, women have lost control. They could have taken the pill, been in control of their own bodies and not be faced with the abortion decision.

Gloria Mader Simon Ronan

Vote sensibly

Editor,

“The Power and Honor of Good People.”

We experienced this power and honor in the culmination of the Watergate scandal during the Nixon years. Will it culminate during Trump’s continuing ‘lust for power’ in present years?

Nixon’s dishonesty and ‘lust for power’ are now being played out consistently by Donald Trump. The difference between the two men is that Nixon did not suffer from a severe case of narcissism, which dominates Trump in his thoughts, words, and actions. This mental condition of narcissism has the following characteristics:

“Being overly boastful, pretending to be superior to others, lack of empathy for others, and having a fragile self-esteem.”

This is where we are in our present political theatrics. Trump’s base of voters surely has the GOP in the grips of fear and doubt.

We the people must realize the danger we face with the Trump characteristics being in power. Let us each vote sensibly and for retaining our form of democracy.

Bob McClellan Missoula

vj

Pollinator week in full swing with chalk walk

By Taylor Davison / Valley Journal

RONAN — The Lake County Conservation District has brought national Pollinator Week to Ronan with trivia, a block party and a competitive chalk walk.

Pollinator Week was initiated by the Pollinator Partnership and according to their website, 14 years ago the U.S. Senate unanimously approved the designation of a week in June as National Pollinator Week to address the urgent issue of declining pollinator populations.

Pollinators are important to the local agriculture and to the rest of the world, Saige Jibben of the conservation district said. Their efforts in Ronan are all about raising awareness on the decline of pollinators. “It’s whatever we can do to support them,” she said.

Accompanied by a Trivia Takeover at the Co-op Brewery earlier this week, which was packed with gamified education about pollinators, the chalk walk began on Friday, June 17. Around twenty spots in downtown Ronan were outlined with tape, one space for each contestant to work in. This year’s theme is Bees and Blooms and the participants have not disappointed.

Armed with a spray to protect their designs from any foul weather, local artists have been working through the weekdays on their beautiful variety of pollinator-themed designs. A couple of young contestants finished their artwork on day one, while chalk art veterans took a few more days to get their pieces just right.

The chalk art entries will be judged by members of the Conservation District board on the last day of Pollinator Week. Last-minute entries are welcome, as long as there’s still room and those interested can contact Jibben at: sjibben@macdnet.org to sign up for free.

Once final judging has concluded this Friday at 5 p.m., a street closure party will end the week and take place next to the brewery. There will be food trucks and games and the district hopes to see a good turnout.

“We’re hoping to make this a yearly thing,” Jibben said. “We want to build on it as the years go on.”

TAYLOR DAVISON / VALLEY JOURNAL The chalk walk will be judged by 6 p.m. on Friday, followed by a street party next to the Co-op Brewery.

Grade 4

Abraham Boyd, 3.6 Joey Matt, 3.53 Alyra Porter, 3.54

Grade 5

Frederick Elverud, 3.17 Denzel Howard, 3.84 Delilah Liberty, 4.0 Sonny Matt, 3.67 Sheray Rossbach, 3.42

Grade 6

Alyson Bigcrane, 3.61 Lucy Metcalf, 3.61

Grade 7

Jordan Boye, 3.28 Bryce Roberts, 3.72 Reese Swensen, 3.89

Grade 8

Tyler Boye, 3.33 Amelya Delay, 3.61 Katie Porter, 3.83 Adele Ranney, 3.89 Rylee Swensen, 3.84

NLCLF announces $2 million renovation Flathead Transit

Missoula • Pablo • Kalispell • Whitefish

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

For Information Call • Weekdays: 406-275-2792 • Weekends 406-675-500

News from the North Lake County Library Foundation

POLSON — The North Lake County Library Foundation is leading “The Next Chapter Campaign” to raise $2 million to renovate the North Lake County Public Library District’s facility. Through simple modifications, the current library location will expand its usable space, meet ADA regulations, increase technology, and offer even more resources to the community. The Foundation has raised $1.5 million of the goal since June 2021.

“Our community relies on the resources we provide at the library, but with a growing population, outdated building and staff eager to add additional programs and services, we are finding it difficult to fulfill our mission of – a contemporary center of literacy and lifelong learning for all users – without making these key improvements,” said Abbi Dooley, library director of the North Lake County Public Library District.

Since moving to the corner of First Avenue and First Street East in 1989, minimal structural improvements have been made to the library. The goal of “The Next Chapter Campaign” is to modernize the facility while increasing accessibility.

Features of the renovated library include a new ADA-compliant entrance at ground level from First Street East, plus other ADA improvements in the restrooms and throughout the library; 2,000 additional square feet of usable space through the demolition of the former Sandpiper Art Gallery’s interior walls; increased space for the Children’s Area; additional room for public computers and a dedicated Maker’s Space with a 3D printer; a new welcome desk area with improved safety and lines of sight; a coffee shop; and increased seating availability for patrons.

“Our volunteer Foundation Board has worked diligently with our generous community for the last 18 months to raise $1.5 million,” said Connie Brownell, president of the North Lake County Library Foundation. “We are grateful for the support received so far and are eager to reach our goal to make this dream a reality for our area.”

Each year, the North Lake County Public Library District serves thousands of individuals and families through programs like children’s story hour, Humanities Montana lectures, and technology assistance services. In FY2019, nearly 60,000 books, e-books and audio books were circulated to library cardholders.

To learn more about “The Next Chapter Campaign,” contact Connie Brownell at nlclfoundation@gmail.com, or go to www.polsonlibraryfoundation. org. 10:00 AM 11:30 AM 7:30 PM 11:50 AM 7:05 PM 12:00 PM 6:50 PM Flag Stop Flag Stop 12:15 PM 6:30 PM 1:00 PM 6:00 PM 1:25 PM 5:30 PM 2:10 PM 4:55 PM 2:30 PM 4:30 PM 3:10 PM 4:00 PM

Pablo

52001 US Hwy 93, Pablo 406-275-2792 • Weekends 406-675-5000 Missoula 1660 W Broadway St • 406-549-2339 Evaro 20750 US Hwy 93, Missoula• 406-275-2792 Arlee 92345 US Hwy 93, Arlee • 406-275-2792 Ravalli 27330 US Hwy 93, Ravalli• 406-275-2792 Saint Ignatius 240 Mnt View Dr, St. Ignatius• 406-275-2792 Pablo • 52001 US Hwy 93 Weekdays: 406-275-2792 • Weekends 406-675-5000 Polson 49708 US Hwy 93, Polson• 406-275-2792 Lakeside

7170 US Hwy 93, Pablo • 406-275-2792 Kalispell / Evergreen 2076 US Hwy 2 W, Evergreen• 406-275-2792 Whitefish #9 Spokane Ave., Whitefish• 406-275-2792

For Information Call Flathead Transit Weekdays: 406-275-2792 • Weekends 406-675-500 For more information call Flathead Transit Weekdays: 406-275-2792 Weekends: 406-675-5000