Guest Opinion
Annual conference of counties shows support of change to PILT
By Todd Devlin
In July of this year, I attended the National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference in Reno, Nevada. It is amazing the tremendous change in membership mentality and position in just one short year.
Billings Chamber seeks to promote entire Custer Country region
By John Brewer, President of Billings Chamber of Commerce
It has been a turbulent time for tourism promotion in Southeastern Montana’s Custer Country. We are all residents in this beautiful part of the country and want to see it succeed. Uniting and working together to develop a strong organization to lead economic prosperity via tourism promotion is the goal for many of us.
Montana’s Tobacco Quit Line marks 6th anniversary
By MaryAnn Clingingsmith
To Celebrate the 6th Anniversary of the Montana Tobacco Quit Line the quit line will extend its free Nicotine Replacement Therapy benefit (patches, gum, or lozenges) from two weeks to four throughout May. Beginning May 1, the quit line will add the smoking cessation medication bupropion, at a reduced cost of $5 per month for up to three months, as another quit line benefit.
What message does your wave send?
By Stephanie Keltner
Have you ever noticed how people wave hello, as they drive by in their car, or perhaps walk past on the opposite side of the street? It can often be quite entertaining, if you stop to think about it.
Honor Earth Day by throwing away cigarette butts properly
By MaryAnn Clingingsmith
Tobacco Use Prevention Coordinator
Smell that? That’s the smell of clean air
By MaryAnn Clingingsmith
Protecting citizens from exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke is one of the most important measures a state can take to improve public health. The 2005 legislature amended the Montana Clean Indoor Air Act to clarify that the rights of citizens to breathe smoke-free air takes priority over the desire to smoke.
Open Government: A right that shouldn’t be taken for granted
By Ian Marquand
What would life in Montana be like without our open government laws? Imagine the city council making a new ordinance behind closed doors and simply decreeing it as a fait accompli. Imagine citizens forbidden to offer opinions about the county budget. Imagine local police activities and criminal prosecutions shrouded in secrecy.
Representation at national level is vital to county’s claims
By Todd Devlin
Prairie County Commissioner
Year-end review points to increased enrollment and budget
By Terry Schools Superintendent Charles Deisher
The last letter sent to the Tribune was dated 29 October, and just that fast we are into the fourth quarter. Spring is in the air, Prom is very near (27th), and we have eighteen athletes out for track. The first track meet is 1 April, no fooling, at Glendive.
National debt adds up to more than you might think
By Todd Devlin
Is it time to truly define our nation's debt? What do you think our national debt is? Is it $11 or $12 Trillion?