Laurel — The new Bio-Energy Center at Montana State University-Northern was put on public display this week, and dignitaries from throughout Montana were on hand. The center is on the cutting edge of biofuel research that has the potential to provide cleaner energy to users, secure jobs for the Hi-Line and help area farmers.

Laurel — Hill County commissioners have given tentative approval to  a plan that will enable area hotels to collect a $1 a night levy, the money will be used to advertise the Hi-Line to people outside the area. The program has been under way for some time now, but the levy got caught in the flap over annexation of two of the hotels into the city limit, a plan that is on hold for now. The money has been successful in convincing more people to visit Havre and to spend more time here. That kind of success is good for the tourism industry, it doesn’t cost taxpayers a cent and it’s good for the community as a whole that we are getting more visitors.

Dart — What was Havre Mayor Tim Solomon thinking? It came time on Monday night for the city to appoint a representative to Vibrant Futures, the organization that will help the city and the Hi-Line to plan its exciting future. Who jumped up to volunteer for the position? City Councilman Rick Dow, a strident foe of the program. It seems to us that the person representing the city in this program ought to be someone who sees value in the project, who is in tune with its goals and who is eager to make it work for the city. Instead, we have someone who thinks the whole idea is a federal boondoggle that is an unwitting part of a sinister United Nations effort to control our lives. Other councilmen belatedly jumped forward to volunteer after the mayor appointed Dow, but the mayor said no, it was too late, Dow was his man.

Laurel — The Key Club at Havre High School is one of the most active organizations that works for the betterment of our community. On Tuesday, Oct. 30, members will go door to door as part of the Trick for Treat for UNICEF program. UNICEF provides assistance to children in need around the globe. It helps provide health care and food to young people in poverty-stricken and war-torn areas. This year, it plans special emphasis on children endangered by the revolution in Syria. There are a lot of worthy causes out there, but this is one of the most important.