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Our View: Hi-Line darts and laurels

Laurel

Havre firefighters are leading the way in celebrating Fire Prevention Week. Tours of the fire station have been given to visitors and special programs have been held for youngsters. The number of fires and the number of fatal fires has gone way down over the years. Part of the reason is stricter building codes, better preparedness on the part of firefighters and the courageous activities of the professionals who fight fires. But part of the reason is an increased public awareness about what causes fires, how to prevent them and what to do when fires break out. Public awareness is brought about by programs such as Fire Prevention Week.

Dart

People on and off Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation need answers on the most recent in a series of legal actions that have caused confusion and concern by a Florida company, BEH Gaming Ltd. The legal paperwork filed thus far raises many questions of interest to Rocky Boy residents and American taxpayers in general. But in this case, as in many cases prior, tribal officials and tribal attorneys had no comment. Some explanation should be forthcoming.

Laurel

The Highway 2 Association has a long history of fighting for a four-lane U.S. Highway 2 across Montana. They have been involved in many political fights, having won a few and lost too many. But they are carrying on the battle. Mike Tooley, the director of the Montana Department of Transportation, will speak to the group’s annual meeting Oct. 17 in Glasgow. Tooley has the governor’s ear, and we hope Tooley will be listening to the Highway 2 Association. We’re sure that in addition to listening to Tooley, Highway 2 Association members will be making their pitch. The growth of the Bakken area is making access to and through the Hi-Line more important.

Dart

Whenever you hear people say they want to limit access to government documents for a good reason, your antennae should go up. So it is this week when Montana’s Fish, Wildlife and Parks asked that information about harvests made by hunters and trappers be keep secret. FWP fears that animal rights activists may harass hunters and fishers, though they couldn't provide any details of any such event happening in Montana. There are lots of examples of government officials trying to needlessly hold back important information from the public. If anyone harasses hunters, we hope the full force of the law comes down on them. But shutting off information from the public won’t do anything to help prevent such incidents.

 

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