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Canadians grab too many camping spots?

Is America being abused? Local businesses along our borders might prosper but what about the remaining tax-paying citizens?

My wife and I are RV’ers and own a home in Arizona near our southern border. Twenty years ago we saw thousands of Canadians using BLM lands to park on free or $100 for six months. We were headed to Canada for a couple months and asked if we could park for “peanuts” or free in their country. No such luck was the response.

This year we spent some time in the Flathead National Forest as well as Kootenai. We found national forest campgrounds full, and frequently half the rigs sported Canadian plates. We had little choice but to resort to dispersed camping but found it also crowded and many Canadians.

What prompted this letter was a number of spaces with tents, chairs and one large site with both plus the two entrances blocked (strap and chairs). Three days later two sites remained unoccupied, the large one finally got two large RVs, you guessed it Canadians. Less than a couple hours prior a young couple from Whitefish arrived saw the strap, then on the ground, and set up a tent, left and returned to a conflict with the Canadians.

I can see holding a spot for a couple hours but three or more days is beyond any type of courtesy. Although not a Clinton fan, a number of years back, Bill suggested a $10 per head tax each time anyone enters our country. Maybe it’s time to consider this. I’ve learned some of these foreigners have been coming down regularly for many years (20 or 30), camping free, and we taxpayers get what? Thoughts to ponder. —Steve Ault, Green Valley, Arizona

Trump’s story of beating the insiders just doesn’t get old

If presidential historian Michael Beschloss were to write a sequel, he could add this:

In 2016 the usual pack of career politicians chosen by the Establishment wings of the two monopolistic political parties were engaged in a contest to see who would continue the quest to build on the political and financial infrastructure that keeps the oligarchs in power by throwing crumbs to the middle class and government handouts to everyone from the largest corporations (EX-IM Bank) to the newest illegal immigrant (Dreamers). The media as usual lined up immediately behind the “progressive” (another word that has been commandeered by the left) candidates on both sides.

And then the unthinkable happened … a candidate from out of the political establishment not only appeared but also dominated. This candidate actually campaigned on issues that were important to the people and when he won, the aftershock never stopped in the Establishment. The Democrats, the never-Trump Republicans, the Republican Establishment, the media, the lobbyists, the bureaucracy and the Deep State all banded together to make him a failure. They invented issues, spread lies and innuendos, hired special prosecutors, stymied his appointees, fought his legislative initiatives and openly called for impeachment even though there has never been a crime uncovered.

But this man had the courage of his convictions. He fought for the things he promised. He fought through Democrat obstacles and Republican incompetence. He never gave up and the people continued to rally behind him because regardless of his imperfections they sensed his competence and they sensed his character.

After 200 days in office the economy was on the rebound as witnessed by the stock market, corporate profits, the unemployment rate and consumer confidence.

This president still needed to learn about the ways and political intrigues of Washington. But he succeeded. And he did not lie. That takes courage in a capital city built on lies and deceit. —Richard J. Crouse, Bigfork

West Glacier hopes for GPI to rethink plans for development

Re: “Fish, Wildlife and Parks recommends watershed project,” Aug. 7, 2017.

Congratulations to the city of Whitefish and to the numerous stakeholders that came together to create the Whitefish Lake Watershed Project. This partnership to benefit all serves as a model for cooperation among private and public interests, and the residents of the area.

Residents of West Glacier hope that Glacier Park Inc. will follow suit. Its proposed development in the heart of this historic community raises substantial and serious concerns for both those who live here, for the flora and fauna of the area, and for visitors to Glacier National Park, who already experience traffic delays on U.S. Highway 2 and Going-to-the-Sun Road.

GPI’s proposal to construct 102 RV sites, 24 rental cabins, and private homes on 178 acres of near-pristine land, with a single access to the two-lane River Bend Drive, is seriously flawed. The property in question cannot support that kind of urban-like carrying capacity. The community’s concerns include increased traffic congestion to the point of gridlock, emergency access and egress in case of fire or other natural disasters, deterioration of water quality and its availability, air and noise pollution, garbage disposal, and the decimation of a beautiful conservation area currently rich with wildlife, birds, and a healthy forested ecosystem.

We ask that representatives from GPI meet with local residents, other interested persons and groups, and public agencies in order to work out a common-sense solution to the development of the property in question. The West Glacier Community Preservation Association, of which I am a board member, welcomes input from all interested persons and organizations on this critical issue. —Jeanne Clarke, West Glacier