Letter to the Editor:

Editor:

It wasn't all that long ago I was walking door to door, campaigning for Havre City Council. I was greeted by many with a smile and a thank-you. Others were curious if I was a Democrat or Republican. The remaining concerned citizens asked what I would do to address the streets. "Fix the streets" became the obvious campaign tag line.

At that point, I was doing my best to appeal to the voters. Honestly, I had very little knowledge of the actual costs associated with such a massive project. I was unaware of how little was available in the city's budget after the bills were paid. Yet still, I have stuck to the slogan that may be responsible for my election. As chairman of the Streets and Sidewalks Committee, I have called several meetings where we have formulated the a plan to begin addressing them.

The plan is to place a mill levy on the ballot, for the residents of Havre to vote on. The levy will be $1.5 million annually for a total of 20 years. This amount was chosen for a few reasons. First, it is the lowest amount that will achieve any noticeable results. Anything less, we decided, wouldn't be enough to counter the rapid continuing degradation of our infrastructure. Secondly, while perhaps not affordable by all, it was the most reasonable for our citizens.

It was upsetting to me at our last city council meeting, one councilman voted against the committee's recommendation. He called the proposal "unsustainable,"and while agreeing that it may be the best available plan, was unable to offer any alternative ideas. Why doesn't he agree with the rest of the council, that the residents ought to be able to decide for themselves?

As a councilman who campaigned as I did, I am sorry to say that fixing the streets on the taxes already collected is impossible. It is very important to me that everyone come to the public hearings. The newspaper and radio will announce when the hearings will happen. Please call me 399-1071 anytime with your questions, comments or concerns.

Matt Boucher

Havre City Council — Ward 4

Rocky Boy council has been black mark

Editor:

The events of the past years have aided the Rocky Boy Business Committee in giving a black mark against the tribe, its members and Ken Blatt St. Marks.

What has the current business committee done to prove anything against Mr. Blatt St Marks?

Why are they so against this man? Is it true they are trying to impeach him for standing up and trying to right the wrongs others have done?

The ones who gained illegally are the ones who should not be able to serve ever again. Let's put that to a vote.

This is an embarrassment to tribal members as a whole. Come now people, we will not grow as a tribe if you cannot settle your differences. The people need a serious intervention by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Maybe this is what should happen until we oust the ones who seem to like to engage in tribal politics and never want real progress done. Let’s do this the correct way, tribal council. The man has been voted in by the enrolled members; some who never receive a thing from the tribe, by the way, and probably never will. The members have spoken, they want the tribal chairman reinstated and as quickly as possible.

Tracy Whitford Galbreath

Havre area