Our View: Hi-Line darts and laurels

Dart — Montana prides itself in having a citizens’ government where everyday people make decisions that affect the common good. But for everyday people to be able to make decisions, they have to be trained in some of the complexities of local and state government. The Local Government Center at Montana State University in Bozeman has done that for more than 30 years. All kinds of local officials in Hill and Blaine counties have gone to those seminars. Now, funding for the center has been dropped from the proposed state budget. That’s a shame. The center is worth the $240,000 the state is being asked to pay.

Laurel — "Winter In The Blood," a movie filmed on the Hi-Line, has been released on Netflix. This will enable lots of people from around the country to see this exceptional film.

Dart — It would seem that democracy is flourishing at Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation. Everytime you turn around, they are holding an election. Sadly, it appears that these elections are aimed at thwarting the public’s will, not implementing it. Ken Blatt St. Marks, the on-again, off-again chair of the business committee, said that tribal council is going to keep having elections until they win one. It appears that the decision this week to hold yet another election is proof that St. Marks was right. Tribal appeals courts are now listening to efforts to install St. Marks. The business committee ought to wait until those cases are solved before holding more elections, the results of which will doubtlessly be brought to court.

Laurel — Cabin Fever classes are being held this week. The programs for the public are sponsored by Extension Service, which provides interesting things for people to learn where it’s too cold to do anything else. Avail yourself of this opportunity.