Confusion about Smurfit-Stone
I have read about the concerns of the mayor of Missoula, the council members, the unemployment people, and a host of others.
Because of the economy, the cost of the union, and the cost to crawl before the environmentalists it is no wonder they (Smurfit -Stone) are closing the Frenchtown mill.
However, I have not heard even a small mumble from the environmental groups about helping the workers. I guess they are celebrating too hard to notice the hardships of the workers. Maybe they think their taxes are enough, I don’t know.
Perhaps if these groups think of people as people and not problems (yes, problems not issues) we all could come to an understanding. But it looks as if they believe people are the the cause of the problems with the world. But not them, they are enlightened (elite).
Such arrogance is amazing.
Larry Scholten,
Stevensville
Corporate bungling a problem for mill
The entire wood products industry has indeed been on the ropes now for a couple of years, and all the folks employed from top to bottom have gone the extra mile to help their respective organizations survive through an economic crunch that their actions had not caused. Yet, they must bear the burden of questionable financial policy decisions made by government mortgage agencies and Wall Street big whigs.
What is strikingly outrageous concerning the Frenchtown Pulpmill closure appear to be Smurfit’s corporate intent to the Frenchtown facility. Re-read the words that Smurfit President Steve Klinger carefully parsed: “Frenchtown and Michigan mills are high cost and do not provide adequate returns …”
Clearly, he did not say Frenchtown did not, is not, nor could make a profit; rather, it was simply a “high cost.” Further within his interview with the Missoulian, Smurfit corporate spokesperson Mike Mulin dodged the question regarding the disposition of the Frenchtown facility. It is equally clear that from a corporate mindset, Smurfit would like to see the productive capacity of Frenchtown go away so that its current output of several hundred thousands of tons of kraft paper goes away, and improves value on its remaining facilities’ production.
All this is going on under the guidance and tolerance of court oversight as Smurfit sought sanctuary under bankruptcy protection.
It is utterly unconscionable that Smurfit can tactically ignore and mothball an asset that would be liquidable under bankruptcy order, albeit at liquidation value, and recover cash that then could go to pay off its back taxes and penalties, vendors and loggers that they left in the lurch.
The newspaper clearly reported the immediate secondary impacts to the state forest industry buy this closure; however, a third impact, that to the State of Montana school trust land is enormous as well. Much of the forest management revenue produced by the State Forester’s office within DNRC is profoundly linked with timber stand improvement, and the thinning and removal of pulp grade timber that had the Frenchtown facility as its only destination.
Clearly, it would be extraordinarily important for Montana that either the Attorney General, or Governor, both of whom hold critical responsibilities on the State Land Board to file a Friend of the Court Brief to the Bankruptcy court overseeing Smurfit’s actions demanding the immediate liquidation sale of the Frenchtown facility.
Pat Connell
Corvallis
Majority rules
Why:
1. should federal health care control and climate change legislation be enacted when an overwelming majority of concerned citizens do not agree,
2. should legislation have to be passed before it can be read,
3. should we significantly increase federal spending that places our nation in very serious financial and economic jeopardy,
4. should we not expect the transparency promised during Obama’s campaign,
5. should we not expect bi-partisan cooperation promised during Obama’s campaign,
6. should Obama’s popularity be shrinking so fast- could it be change that we do not and can not believe in,
7. should we expect liberals to act responsibly now, rather than as they want and that is to not waste a political/financial crisis,
8. should “change’’, we don’t believe in, have to happen so fast,
9. should the administration want to control our nation’s financial and automotive sectors,
10. should we believe anything this administration says, based upon past performance,
11. should the KSM trials be moved to NYC- this likely will become a political disaster!,
12. should Gitmo terrorist detainees be moved to Illinois- another likely political disaster!,
13. should we expect the administration to act in America’s, rather than the Democratic Party’s, best interests,
14. should we wait until 2010 or 2012 to revolt beyond just having “tea” parties?
Jerry Haslip
Victor
Worried about Victor’s dogs
In regards to today’s article I would like to add some information. We live in this area, we own and lease just under 400 acres north and west of where these two dogs were shot.
On Sunday morning, Nov. 1st our daughter let our dogs out and within 15 minutes they were gone, I started walking the pastures calling and whistling for them but could not find a trace. My daughter was and still is completely devastated, these two dogs worked alongside her all summer, riding trails and moving horses. We have looked and looked for these two dogs, calling neighbors, posting signs, everything you could think of we did.
These two dogs knew every inch of our land and if it was within their ability to return home they would have. We know in our hearts that we have lost two loyal working dogs, that were loved dearly to either wolfs, a mountain lion or at the hands of a gun.
Also, last week we were informed by another one of our neighbors that her dog had disappeared and now has been missing for over a week. We were shocked to hear this news, and the erie thing is, this person described her dogs disappearance in the exact way ours disappeared. We would just like to know what happened to both of our dogs so we can grieve and move on. Just thinking that our dogs may have been killed by the same man who shot the tracking dogs is sickening.
It would be easier to accept if in fact a mountain lion or other predator killed the dogs in the area. The fact that six dogs are missing or have been shot within a 3/4 mile area west of Victor is just way more than a coincidence. My final comment to the editor is: “Why hasn’t the name of the man who shot the dogs been released to the public?”
Debra Caniglia
Victor
Way to go Cub Scouts
The Cub Scouts of Pack #4976 were very busy the last two months with a Food Drive and our annual Popcorn Sales. Haven House Food Bank sent their deepest thanks to us for our effort in gathering 1139 lbs. of food for their pantry.
The project donated food for Haven House to give to less fortunate families in our community. It was a wonderful act of giving by all the generous shoppers who donated groceries to our boxes. Pack #4976 was able to donate enough food to feed 15 families for about 4 days thanks to all of you!
The Scouts also hit the streets in October and November to sell and deliver popcorn. Even though overall popcorn sales were down this year within the Bitterroot District, statewide and nationally, the community did a great job of contributing to the Scouts by buying our popcorn products.
Last year, Pack #4976 was #1 both in the state and the nation! We don’t have all the figures for our 2009 sales yet, but we did beat our own gross sales from last year thanks to all of you. We our so proud of our boys!
We also want you to know that 70 percent of the sales actually go back to our local Pack. It helps pay for the Scouts’ activities, badges and even some new camping equipment for the Pack. The boys can even earn scholarships to Boy Scout Camp and college funds for extraordinary sales.
Our boys, their leaders and parents can’t thank you all enough for supporting your local Scouts.
We wish you and your families a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!
Nan Reyner
and
Boy Scout Pack #4976
Thanks for giving, caring
During this “Season of Giving,” I would like to remind the community that “giving” is more than just about “things.” it is also about the giving of self.
That spirit is alive in our community. I would like to take this means to thank a very special person who stopped on Friday, Dec. 11, to render aide to my brother who had fallen on the street near his home.
This person took my brother home and then made sure that help was sent. As this person chose to remain anonymous, I can only use this form to say thank you for your kindness and caring to take the time from your day to help a stranger.
In our family’s hearts, you will be remembered as an Angel of Mercy sent at just the right moment. May you be blessed. I would also like to thank Officer Steve Snavely of the Hamilton Police Dept and his fellow officers who responded to the call for help and whose careful and compassionate assessment and aide went above the call of duty.
May such selfless acts of kindness remain with us throughout the year. With Grateful Hearts,
Kathy Peterson and family,
Hamilton
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