Our View: Hi-Line darts and laurels

Dart — The Montana House’s State Administration Committee tabled a bill that would have allowed people to register to vote online. That would have made it easier for people, especially those in rural areas and those who are disabled, to register. It’s too bad making it easier to vote has become such a partisan issue. Republicans would be way better off if they spent their time, money and energy trying to convince the electorate to vote for them instead of trying to make it harder for them to vote.

Laurel — Montana State University-Northern interim Chancellor Greg Kegel gave an informative look during his State of the University address at the challenges and opportunities his college faces in coming years. There are many great things about Northern, but declining enrollment and deficit spending are issues that must be dealt with. The first step in solving these problems is to admit they exist.

Laurel — The Hauser family did a great job of keeping the Gildford Mercantile open as long as they did. The iconic store has served the tiny Hi-Line community well for a century. It was more than a store, it was the community center. It was the last business in the town.

Dart — Even the free-enterprise system seems to be against the Hi-Line towns. With the closing of the Merc, it is impossible for people in that vast, picturesque but remote area from Havre to Chester to buy any food locally — not even a quart of milk. That will make it harder to keep existing residents, much less attract new ones. The Hi-Line has so much to offer — friendly people, beautiful scenery and solitude. Hopefully something can be done to have some kind of store along U.S. Highway 2. Turner, when all else failed, started a community cooperative store.

Laurel — The third time is a charm for Ken Blatt St. Marks. He was elected to chair the Chippewa Cree Business Committee at Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation Tuesday. Two of his earlier victories were overturned on dubious grounds. Now let’s hope he can unite the tribe and move forward with his reform program without creating any more divisions on the reservation.