Hi-Line Darts and Laurels

Laurel — Havre Public Schools Superintendent Andy Carlson made a good point this week. He said that despite the fact the district has failed to meet the No Child Left Behind's Adequate Yearly Progress benchmarks, the district is in good shape. We hope school officials continue to strive for better test score results, but parents can be assured that Havre students are getting a good education with good teachers in a good setting. Classroom work and extracurricular activities in the school district offer students excellent opportunities.

Laurel — Speaking of good school news, Rocky Boy has finished the working its school expansion, and students are enjoying the benefits of the district's long efforts to rehabilitate and expand the school. The school is the center of community life in many communities, and that certainly is the case at Rocky Boy. The expansion of the school will give students and community residents more room and better facilities for work and fun.

Laurel — Maybe the long wait was worth it. After being turned down by Montana State University-Northern, Bullhook Clinic has found a location to build a new facility. It will be built opposite Havre City Hall, in close proximity to downtown Havre and within walking distance of many people who use the clinic.

Dart —Beaver Creek Park is home to some of the finest natural beauty in Montana. That's why lots of people hike, fish and have cabins in the park. So why are people insisting on paving the areas near their cabin with loads of concrete? The whole idea of getting a cabin in the park is to enjoy the rustic nature of the park.

Laurel — It looks like the folks who favor extension of hours at the Wild Horse Port have agreed on a focus for their effort. They want a three-year trial period for a 16-hour-a-day port. We'd like to see a permanent 24-hour port, but that's unlikely. Instead, the effort will be to keep the port open 16 hours year-round. During the winter, the port is open only eight hours a day. Lots of tourists and shoppers are reluctant to come through the port, fearful that on the trip home, they will be five minutes late and will end up in a foreign country for the night. Hopefully the Hi-Line and southern Alberta will agree on the new focus and advocate it to powers-that-be in Washington and Ottawa.