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  • Editorial: Mule Days packs fun for the whole family

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Jun 7, 2017

    Last week I was able to do an interview with Tara Price, one of the organizers for the upcoming Montana Mule Days event in Whitehall. After our conversation, I was more than pleased that the event scheduled from June 9 to 11 is coming to town. This is another great opportunity for not only local residents to both enter a variety of classes and shows, but it is also great for the economy with a numerous spectators and participants making their way to the area. The last week in July has always been known for Frontier Days and people return to...

  • Column: Construction Blues

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Jun 7, 2017

    Since I can remember, I have always heard people say there are only two seasons in the Rocky Mountains – Spring and road construction. While this is not entirely true, it seems like near the end of every April construction projects start popping up all over the Interstate and other highways and roads. This year has been no different, and there are already quite a few on Interstate 90. Often times the construction will lead to one lane of traffic and for whatever reason, this turns people into complete savages with no thoughts of others or s...

  • Editorial: Great job at the schools in 2016-17

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|May 31, 2017

    The school year has already come to an end or is nearly finished for students at the public schools in Cardwell and Whitehall. This issue of the Whitehall Ledger is full of stories and pictures from graduations and a variety of school events. With the year wrapping up, we are happy to fill the issue with a tremendous amount of positive information about the schools. The Class of 2017 in Whitehall was a tremendous group of kids and we were lucky to have them in our community. As students get ready for a summer of fun, the Ledger would like to...

  • Editorial: Vote would allow residents to decide

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|May 24, 2017

    While a final decision has yet to be made, it appears local residents will be heading to the polls to let their voices be heard about the creation of the Jefferson Valley Rural Ambulance District. The Jefferson County Commissioners will make the decision whether or not to put it on the ballot at their May 30 meeting in Boulder. In the past few months, there has certainly been a lot of debate about the possible district, and it has been a passionate issue among many local residents. There has also been a lot of confusion about the protest forms...

  • Column: Spring in Montana

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|May 24, 2017

    I've got to admit that last Wednesday I was really starting to get nervous. Usually during the winter months I always know there is a chance that the newspaper might be delayed a few hours or possibly a day because of weather, but that isn't something that crossed my mind once the month of May rolled around. While the weather in downtown Whitehall was raining, it was snowing fiercely with just a small climb in elevation. Just moments after Melissa went to pickup the Ledger from the printer in...

  • Editorial: Counting the days and making the days count

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|May 17, 2017

    In less than two week students at Whitehall High School will be graduating during a May 28 ceremony. After four long years in high school they will be moving on to college, the workforce, or spending some time figuring out what they want to do as they transition into adulthood. The Ledger would like to first and foremost congratulate the students graduating and wish them well into the future. We would also like to tell them to enjoy and cherish the last few days with their classmates. With social media it is a lot easier to keep in touch with...

  • Column: Happy Birthday?

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|May 17, 2017

    Two days ago was my birthday. I would like to say it was a joyous occasion with a day full of celebrations, but this was not the case. This time of year is really busy at the newspaper, and since it was a Monday there was no time for any sort of shenanigans. My parents were in town the three days prior, so that was a nice time with good food and company, but it was a work, work, work type of week. I used to look forward to my birthday, but not so much anymore. For some it is just another day on the calendar, but for me it makes me feel really...

  • Editorial: Spread the word about Head Start opening

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|May 10, 2017

    The importance of programs like Head Start cannot be understated. The hands on learning a child experiences in the program from the ages of three to five is beneficial to their transition from early education to grade school. I have witnessed just how important the program in various communities around the western United States. It not only makes a difference, but more importantly can help out families who really need quality pre school, but do not have the income to afford it. Last week I was able to attend an informational meeting about the...

  • Column: Nos Amis

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|May 10, 2017

    It is never easy to turn on the television or to get on the Internet and see horrific acts of terror around the world. I will never understand why people think the way they do, but its sickening that people would think a mass shooting or bombing of innocent people would solve anything. Terrorists are the scum of the earth. In November of 2015, the world watched as a terrorist attacks took place in Paris. One of the places attacked was the Bataclan Theater where a band from the United States, “The Eagles of Death Metal” was playing in front of...

  • Letters to the Editor: Opposed to two services

    May 10, 2017

    I recently talked with Leonard Wortman about the Protest Form regarding the establishment of a Rural Ambulance District. I was confused about 1) the first paragraph and all the legal jargon. 2) a failure to respond is a “yes” vote. 3) if you return the form but do not make a selection, it is a “no” vote!! Leonard said all of this jargon is a legal state requirement. And that he and many others whom he talks to are also confused. Well, Well, Well! I personally plan to vote no. I am not opposed to ambulance services. I think ambulance service to...

  • Letter to the Editor: "Mr. Mayor part IV and V"

    May 10, 2017

    I so enjoyed your Letters to the Editor last week. I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time. Are you all still wearing your ruby slippers, clicking your heels and living in “Wonder Land”? I really believe you and your ghost writer have been telling stories for so long you actually believe them. How sad! I just thought I would remind you, the people in town know the truth. Three hundred and fifty five people signed the recall petition. The people in town have spoken. We all know what they think of the way the town has been run. So keep writi...

  • Letter to the Editor: Politically Neutral

    May 10, 2017

    Of the twelve years that we have lived here, this is only my second letter to the editor. I feel strongly about this issue that I feel it is time for me to write another. And, I for one appreciate all that the Whitehall Chamber of Commerce has done for our little town. The Chamber should be commended for all the wonderful local activities. And, I am sure they would appreciate all the help they can get. However, I am writing about a concern with the Chamber’s activity on their Facebook site. They recently reposted on their site an a...

  • Editorial: Correct call by Whitehall school officials

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|May 3, 2017

    Being a teenager is by no means easy. While it certainly can be a time that comes with memories that will last a lifetime, there are also a lot of social and peer pressures that can make things tough. This is perhaps even more difficult in a day and age with social media sites and instant access to things like Netflix or YouTube. Last week, officials at Whitehall High School provided parents and community members with information about a recent show released on Netflix called “13 Reasons Why”. The show has quickly become a talking point amo...

  • Column: Like you own the place

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|May 3, 2017

    I spent a few minutes last week looking up plane tickets for a possible trip to watch a University of Wyoming football game this fall. I haven’t been able to go the past couple years and I really want to make it to a game. Until 2015 I had been to at least one game a season since I can remember, but I’m a bit too far away to make a regular trip these days. I was looking a hotels and restaurants in Laramie, WY and I suddenly became flooded with memories of my first year of college. It was a wonderful experience to get nostalgic and think about s...

  • Editorial: The positives far outweigh the negative

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Apr 26, 2017

    As is the case with any small town, there were plenty of rumors floating around Whitehall about what happened during a shooting incident April 15. While some of the information spreading around was not true, some of it was. Even though the story wasn’t what many thought, it is always tough to see crime in a small town. As sad as it is, crime does happen in Whitehall and other small towns across the United States. Nowhere is immune from this. Nobody should turn a blind eye to drug use or violence because it does happen, possibly more than s...

  • Column: Social Experiments...

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Apr 26, 2017

    Viral videos are a huge deal in 2017. Everyone has a phone, and everyone is recording just about everything they can to post to YouTube or a variety of other platforms. While there are certainly millions of horrible videos, there are some that are well worth watching. The other day Melissa and I were discussing several “social experiment” videos. The subjects of the videos were homeless residents in various places around the world. A lot of people like to turn a blind eye, but the homeless problem in large areas is a huge epidemic. It’s not j...

  • Editorial: Put the cell phone down, it can wait

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Apr 19, 2017

    During a comment period at last week’s Community Transition Advisory Committee meeting in Whitehall, Barrick Golden Sunlight Mine Safety Director Jim Loomis reminded those in attendance about the dangers of using a cell phone while driving. Loomis said that every day in the United States, 15 people die as a direct result of using a phone while driving. He said everyone has phones, but encouraged everyone to think of the consequences and to not use them while operating a vehicle. I was very encouraged to hear what Loomis had to say, and I think...

  • Column: Bad day gone good

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Apr 19, 2017

    Ever have one of those days where nothing seems to go right? This appeared to be the case for me last Friday. Boy, did I end up wrong, but it didn't start well. I had made plans to go to a concert in Missoula, but it seemed that everything that could go wrong did. Because our truck isn't working, we decided to rent a car so Melissa would be able to travel around for work or an emergency. One of us would have to stay in town to get pictures. This seemed simple enough. It wasn't. We showed up at...

  • Editorial: Spring Clean Up a boon to Whitehall

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Apr 12, 2017

    The last week of the month will provide a shining example of some of the great things that happen throughout the year in Whitehall. The annual Town of Whitehall Spring Clean up is scheduled for April 24 to 28 and local residents will be busy sprucing up the town for the summer months. This is an important event for Whitehall because it not only makes the town visually look better; it also allows residents to take pride in their community. During the summer, Whitehall will see an increase in tourists and visitors, and they will be coming to a...

  • Column: "IT" returns

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Apr 12, 2017

    When I was growing up, I would read just about everything I could get my hands on. I would go to the library, prefer to get a book for a gift, and when I was in the bathroom would always have a newspaper or at least read the back of the shampoo bottle. That last part probably sounds weird, but I guarantee I am not the only person who reads this that has done the same thing. We had a bookcase in our house that I grabbed a few books out of from time to time, but there were several hardback books t...

  • Letter to the Editor: Response to Mayor Davis

    Jeannie Reinschmidt, Whitehall|Apr 12, 2017

    I need to begin by doing some housekeeping. This is my attempt to make the “workers” of the town hall happy. I need to state I am a resident of Madison County living in Whitehall. Now, my response to the Mayor of Whitehall. Your office workers say, I should not have any say about Whitehall because I live in Madison County. However, you do take my tax monies. Well, why should you have anything to say about the District? Thanks to you, Whitehall is not part of the District. Nowhere in the letter, did I read that the mayor accepted any responsibil...

  • Letter to the Editor: Elections have consequences

    Connie Sims, Boulder|Apr 12, 2017

    The Guest Editorial by Mayor Dale Davis asks the question, “Is the ambulance tax district a good idea for our community?” I do not think he answered his question. What I and, I will guess, 99 percent of the folks in this area, want is for an ambulance to arrive when we need one within the shortest time and with the right equipment and sufficient, adequately trained personnel to attend my needs and transport me to a medical facility that can treat me. For years, the Whitehall Ambulance folks did a great job at this. They also brought a very sign...

  • GUEST EDITORIAL: Is The Ambulance Tax District A Good Idea For Our Community? Part 2

    Dale Davis, Town of Whitehall Mayor|Apr 12, 2017

    (Note from the publisher: This is the second part of a guest editorial submitted last week.) On the 17th of January, 2017, the Jefferson County Commission created Resolution No. 04-2017; a resolution of intent to create Jefferson Valley Regional EMS & Rescue Ambulance District. What is the significance of this resolution? First, since the 16th of July 2016, this is the seventh resolution written for forming this service tax district. Resolutions were made, then rescinded for lack of content or incorrect procedure. Our county officials...

  • Destination Whitehall coming this month

    Jack H. Smith, Ledger Publisher|Apr 5, 2017

    Later this month, the Ledger will be publishing the annual Destination Whitehall special edition. If you’re not familiar with the publication, it has a wide variety of stories about some of the events and places that make the area a truly wonderful place not live and visit. There is detailed information about some of the great fishing, backcountry opportunities, the Lewis and Clark Caverns, the Lewis and Clark Murals, the Brooke Barn, Frontier Days and the history of the area. It is distributed not only in Whitehall, but also throughout S...

  • GUEST EDITORIAL: Is The Ambulance Tax District A Good Idea For Our Community?

    Dale Davis, Town of Whitehall Mayor|Apr 5, 2017

    In talking with a variety of people, both in and out of this proposed tax district, the general consensus is people are tired of hearing about it. Unfortunately, it is the elephant in the room and cannot be ignored. Not only does avoiding the problem allow the problem to continue, but will erode the trust of those who do. Together, we can get through this. Property owners living within Whitehall School District, excluding Whitehall proper, have been receiving their protest documents from Jefferson County. This procedural document was missed by...

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