Hi-Line Darts & Laurels

Laurel — Hi-Line veterans, people who served in wars from as long ago as World War II, sometimes have to go to Helena to receive the medical treatment they need. It's not easy for them to get there. So the Disabled American Veterans has a van that brings people to Fort Harrison. But the van has seen better days, and it's time to get a new one. The community has rallied to help pay for the van. The latest to contribute to the cause is Triangle Communications/Hill County Electric Cooperative and the Havre Lions Club. This community will not forget the people who fought in wars to defend our freedom.

Laurel — Havre Public Schools has hired a negotiator to handle contract talks that are upcoming with public employee unions. Such negotiations are often contentious, and some union officials feel that the district's negotiator, Andy Sever, has been too confrontational in the past. But for better or worse, confrontation often happens in contract talks when two sides who feel passionately about the issues meet. It's better for the school district to be represented by a professional. In the long run, the district will save money by paying the $110 an hour Sever will get. Yes, $110 an hour seems excessive to us, too. But it is at or below the going rate.

Laurel — Sex abuse allegations have been made against some students at the University of Montana. It looks like the university has learned from the mistakes made by some larger universities. UM has hired a former state supreme court justice to look into the allegations and report back by the end of the year. Let's find out if the allegations are true. If they are, students ought to face disciplinary action quickly.

Dart — An administrator at the Billings Police Department made many questionable purchases on a city credit card. Eventually, she was out on leave. But the residents of Billings were not allowed to know anything about the matter. The police department refused to release details of the incident, and the city administration backed up the police.

Laurel — The Billings Gazette believed the public had a right to know what was going on in the police department. The newspaper filed suit, and the case got all the way to the Montana Supreme Court, which eventually ruled in favor of the Gazette — and the public's right to know.