Our View: Hi-Line darts and laurels, September 6, 2013

Laurel —Childhood obesity is a growing problem. Young folks along the Hi-Line are no exception. Lack of exercise and poor diet are the two main reasons. Havre schools and several others along the Hi-Line have initiated efforts to provide healthier breakfasts and lunches while keeping the food tasty and appealing to young people. This is a worthwhile effort in which the United States Department of Agriculture provides financial incentives to the school districts.

Laurel —Patty Brannigan has reopened a Havre institution, the Free Clothes Fence. People donate used clothing. She washes the items, puts them on hangers and places them on her front fence. People who need clothes are urged to come by, sift through the clothing and take what they need.

Dart —Some of Patty Brannigan’s neighbors are in a lather, apparently feeling that this wonderful charity will detract from their neighborhood. A neighborhood that provides clothing for the needy sounds like a great place to live.

Laurel —Rachael Rawn is now officially the director of the Havre-Hill County Library. The library has gone through some rocky times since longtime director Bonnie Williamson retired, but with Rawn in charge, the library is on a steady path for the future.

Dart —State Sen. Shawn Augare is alleged to have been driving drunk on U.S. Highway 2 in the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. He is alleged to have evaded capture. Drunken driving is a serious offense, If the charges are true, Augare endangered the lives of other motorists and pedestrians on the reservation. So naturally, Tribal Chairman Willie Sharp was furious. But who was he furious at? U.S. Attorney for Montana Michael Cotter who decided to prosecute Augare. Tribal sovereignty is a great thing, but if Sharp is using it to cover up for drunken drivers — and Augare wouldn’t be the first — Sharp ought to be ashamed. Safe roads — roads free of drunken drivers — will benefit reservation residents. They are entitled to their safety.

Laurel — Montana Attorney General Tim Fox has intervened in the case of ex-Billings High teacher Stacey Rambold, who raped a 14-year-old, was sentenced for it, got probation, violated probation and then got his wrists slapped by an incredibly insensitive judge. Prosecutors dawdled, but Fox is now pushing for a new sentencing hearing. Good for him.