This letter is in response to Jan Anderson's letter last week questioning the sources used by Jane Hamman in her recent guest editorial. Read Article Clancy resident defends The Daily Signal
It is hard to believe is has been one month since I was sworn in as the House District 75 Representative. I continue to feel honored to serve my constituents. Read Article Report from Helena: a record-setting session
Jane Hamman's submission published in the Jan. 25 Boulder Monitor cites three sources in support of her contention that Montana needs election reform. Those sources: Read Article A closer look at sources used in guest editorial
Montana’s 68th legislature is in session and is considering over 1300 bills to date. Most of us will only take note of a few high-profile bills that will have a direct and immediate impact on our lives. For example, tax relief bills, a couple of which will pass with little opposition. How… Read Article Be wary of SJ 2
There is more to the abortion bans being promoted by Republicans in Montana’s Legislature than simply a difference on moral or cultural grounds. Republicans have pieced together an entire suite of policies aimed at one goal. That goal is to control and disempower workers by a broad assault o… Read Article Low wages, underfunded public services and abortion bans
In Girdwood, Alaska, we’ll long remember the snowstorm of Dec. 6, just three months ago. But it won’t be for the school cancellations. We’ll remember it as the night dozens of residents traveled a snow-packed highway to testify at a public meeting — about housing. Read Article The housing crisis is harming my town
Whether you are for or against the Convention of States, please take a moment to read this and consider heavily what I have to say. I was at the Helena Capital building to absorb the words of others and testify against the COS. As I listened to those in support, I could feel the strength of … Read Article COS: Ignorance is bliss
In the Jan. 25, 2023 Boulder Monitor, Jane Lee Hamman wrote an Op Ed piece on Election Integrity. In it she references several headlines that are not factual and outrageously misleading. Read Article Column writer should be more critical of sources
The current and former Jefferson High School Board of Trustees and Administration have failed our school’s mission statement. Jefferson High School’s mission is to provide the best possible education for our youth for whatever path of life they choose; to be the school of choice for student… Read Article JHS Board slow to consider weighted GPA
Nearly every citizen in the state has a personal experience, rumor or disconcerting fact about the integrity of our elections. Most have seen dozens of recent headlines challenging the integrity of registered electors, ballots, and elections: Read Article ‘Freedom, Knowledge & Justice’ Election Integrity: Division, dialogue and progress
Wow, winter came early this year! Thanks to the many areas of ice outside (causing me trepidation) as well as projects and learning my new job, I have been indoors much more this winter. Usually I don’t let winter slow me down much and I still enjoy the outdoors and going for walks, but this… Read Article Be mindful of seasonal depressive disorder
This New Year many will make goals for 2023. However, we are at a critical juncture today and each one needs to take the information below into account. Read Article A New Year is here, but many concerns persist
HELENA- Week two of the legislative session has concluded and there are eighty working days left before the 2023 legislative session ends. The Montana House of Representatives has been off to a productive start. Read Article Report from Helena: A productive start
Those who value Montana’s Constitution are concerned—terrified, actually—of what the Legislature’s supermajority (and its new Freedom Caucus) are going to try to do to it this session. Read Article On the chopping block: constitutional rights?
The 68th Montana Legislature is officially in session. As Senate leadership, we’re excited to see Senate Republicans getting to work on enacting conservative policy for our state. Read Article Senate Republicans agenda for this legislative session
What a wonderful "Lives" issue! I shed a few tears remembering friends and neighbors, and enjoyed your great annual report to the citizens of Jefferson County. I hope more residents will read and share your outstanding Dec. 28 issue, and then become paying customers so that they, too, may be… Read Article Clancy resident comforted by 'Lives' issue
Jefferson High School is almost done with the first half of the school year and things are moving forward at a fast pace. I’ve truly enjoyed my time at JHS so far. Every district is very distinct, but all are filled with incredible students, a caring faculty and staff, and great school board… Read Article JHS 'moving forward' into New Year
Thank you for the tremendous issue of the Monitor featuring loving profiles of community members who departed from us in the past year. The tribute to Candace [Hecker] was terrific and captured her gentle spirit perfectly, as did other entries. At a time when many newspapers charge an arm a… Read Article Former publisher touched by 'Lives' issue
‘Freedom, Knowledge & Justice’
Our soul is the essence of who we are. Our spirit, our individual life force, is developed through the relationships, knowledge and experiences of our life journey. We learn and we teach the children through the season of the year that extends from the gratitude of Thanksgiving to the hope, … Read Article Thanksgiving and Christmas prepared us for the New Year
Last June, at the Montana Newspaper Association’s annual convention in Glendive, The Boulder Monitor received the Thomas Dimsdale Award, given each year to the state’s best weekly newspaper. Read Article The Monitor’s annual report: Bling…and the long haul
In the early 1970s, frustrated with the corporate boot that dominated and bullied Montanans, the state's people rose up. Led by ordinary citizens like Pastor George Harper of Helena, local historian and mother of six Louise Cross of Glendive, and League of Women Voters leader Dorothy Eck of … Read Article Attack on Montana Consumer Counsel is Revenge by Utility Lobby
Thank you to the many people who contributed to make the annual Boulder Community Christmas Dinner a success! We especially appreciate Vicki Peterson, George Teeling, the Boulder Grade School kitchen staff and custodians, representatives of the JHS BPA group and the Helena Kiwanis members. T… Read Article Kiwanian grateful to community for successful holiday event
With the holiday season it is a time to be thankful, and as important, to express that thanks. This year I was fortunate to draw a moose permit in the Elkhorn Mountains, which included the Boulder Valley. Given the drawing odds, this has become a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Read Article Hunter appreciates kind community
Lawyers and judges understand and, hopefully, respect the rule of law. This is a very simple principle which informed the writing and adoption of the federal constitution. This principle was carried through into states’ constitutions. The rule of law is fundamental to our democracy. It is … Read Article The rule of law or the rule of lie?
Government has an obligation to make our lives better. Will congress enact more corporate tax cuts now that Republicans have taken control of the House of Representatives? Will they extend current corporate tax cuts? How about tax cuts for the rest of us? That's right, the 95% of us who do n… Read Article Tax burden takes a toll
For the past several years, my wife, Kari, and I have come to Jefferson County to soak at Boulder Hot Springs Inn, Spa and Retreat Center. We’ve celebrated birthdays and anniversaries here. The water and the intimate nature of the place – which emphasizes healing and recovery – attracted us … Read Article Former tourists grateful to be locals
I am encouraged by the outcome of the midterm elections. Not because all the candidates and ballot issues I voted for succeeded, but because winners and losers alike were for the most part, gracious and accepted the will of the people. Civility may be making a comeback in politics. In my opi… Read Article Time to move on
As Thanksgiving fast approaches individuals prepare themselves for debate on all political matters. However, this year I ask each of us that we set aside our political differences and look at each other not as opponents, but as family and friends. Our nation is fractured, and every day new b… Read Article This Thanksgiving, remember civility
It’s been a good fall here at Jefferson High School, and I’m happy to report there are many positive developments ahead, especially with our highly anticipated expansion project. Read Article JHS superintendent excited for new developments, proud of fall success
Fat, lazy snowflakes drift down outside my window, making my thoughts turn to a winter long past when I was a child living in Clancy. Having moved from California, where my dad had been discharged from the Air Force, our move to Montana was a true revelation. I was eight years old and had ne… Read Article As winter arrives, a call to action
On Nov. 6, Musab Nofal was shot and killed by Israeli soldiers while he picked olives on his family’s land. Settlers had thrown rocks at the olive pickers. The Israeli Army claims that Musab threw rocks back at the attackers, therefore they had the right to shoot him. No attacking settler… Read Article If Americans knew... would they change their Israel/Palestine policies?
On election night I had the privilege of spending six hours in the elections office for Jefferson County, watching the work and reporting numbers to a national news outlet. It was truly a privilege for several reasons. Read Article Covering the election a privilege, and a pleasure
Elouise Cobell Day was celebrated on Nov. 5 in Montana, but many people in the West may not recognize her name. Read Article Hats off to a determined woman
It is always darkest--right before it gets pitch-black. Read Article ISL: The New Pitch-Black
On Oct. 26, the Boulder Elementary School hosted a wonderful event called "Fall into Learning." I had the privilege of participating in this evening of fun hosted by the teachers, staff and administration. Wow! What a unified effort with so much energy on display. Read Article Resident energized by 'fall into learning' event
Serving as an effective county commissioners requires at least three attributes: collaboration, a can-do attitude, and vision. Whitehall Mayor Mary Hensleigh exemplifies all these (and more), which is why I enthusiastically endorse her for Jefferson County commissioner. Read Article 'Mary the Mayor' has what it takes
Independent U.S. House candidate Gary Buchanan is for “common sense solutions.” He was advocated for in the Boulder Monitor. Should I vote for him? For what solutions will he, Gary, advocate? “...without the shackles of partisanship...” Smart prhase, but for what bills will he vote? He will … Read Article Buchanan: is he for war or peace?
What a proud legacy our pioneering Montana ancestors bequeathed to us. Our forebears were resilient, determined, hardworking and tough. Tough as in Western cowboy tough; they had the sort of strength books have been written about. Hardy souls who never have accepted being told, “you can’t ma… Read Article “Can’t”? I don’t think so
In his recent guest view, Attorney General Austin Knudsen whines that the Montana Supreme Court deprived Montanans of a right to decide election methods. Specifically, electing supreme court justices by district, instead of in state-wide, non-partisan elections. Read Article Attorney General: all hat, no cows
I’m going to combine two stories, one fictional and one real. In the 1999 fictional film, The Green Mile, the “green mile” referred to the stretch of green linoleum that death row inmates walked to Louisiana’s electric chair. When I was a kid, my father used to refer to cash as “long green.”… Read Article The Long Green Mile
In 2017, in Miller, South Dakota (pop. 1366), a group of young people decided they wanted to start an indoor movie theater. The city’s last film house, the Princess Theater, had closed in 1991, and the Midway Drive In was open only in the summer. Read Article “They” are us
Montana now has a newly drawn eastern congressional district! As the campaign season heats up in advance of the Nov. 8 general election, we have the opportunity to elect a true leader. This leader is campaigning about common-sense solutions. He is committed to building a united Montana in wh… Read Article Clancy woman supports Buchanan
Freedom, Knowledge & Justice
We live what we have learned — and learning is not always easy. Read Article This Election Day, live, learn — and vote
A government of, by and for the people only works when the people put forth enough effort to select people that have the skills, ability and desire to operate a government of, by and for the people. We, the people, have not done a real good job of doing this in recent years. Ask yourself how… Read Article Take the time to be an informed voter
School is well underway, and we have fall athletics and activities going full tilt. We just held this year’s Homecoming, and everything went well. We had great student involvement and great decorations and floats for the parade. It’s time for things to settle down a bit and make the push tow… Read Article JHS Superintendent: meet our new faculty members
At a recent gathering in eastern Montana I ran into friend and lead guitar player Mark Iwaniak, who lives in Butte. I’d been looking forward to seeing Mark – with whom I’ve played shows through the years – to tell him I’d taken a job as editor of the Boulder Monitor and was now in the area. Read Article ‘Learning to fly’ — and feeling right at home
Dear Boulder family and friends, Read Article Consider donating blood: it saves lives
It was suggested that I could strengthen the logic of my last article, “To Record or Not to Record; Is that the Question?” which remains available at https://montanadecides.substack.com if you have not read it, by building on the principle that greater transparency helps to ensure accountabi… Read Article When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging