The Monday Memo

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The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go. – Dr. Seuss

Hello March – you beautiful thing! I can’t wait to meet your friend, April…

The Western Word is coming to you, STILL coronavirus free, from deep inside an underground bunker in Montana. The bunker also serves as the worldwide headquarters for The Western Word blog!

Today’s independent commentary deals with these people/issues:

  • Gianforte Picks Juras
  • Great Falls Schools
  • Jury Duty
  • One More Thing

GIANFORTE PICKS JURAS:

On the Sunday evening (5:30) newscast, MTN News announced that Republican candidate for Montana Governor and current U.S. Representative, Greg Gianforte selected Great Falls lawyer Kristen Juras as his running mate.

I was probably the first to post this on Twitter (@TheWesternWord) because I am on duty 24/7.

Juras ran for Montana Supreme Court in 2016 and lost to my good “friend” Dirk Sandefur 56% – 44%.

I am surprised at Gianforte’s pick. I thought Democrat Mike Cooney, who is running for Montana Governor, picking Casey Schreiner as his running mate was a solid pick.

I expect the race to be between Gianforte and Cooney. Cooney will be the person that can keep the Republican girls and boys in the Montana legislature from going wild.

GREAT FALLS SCHOOLS:

Air Force Magazine is reporting that the Air Force recently announced it will consider public education support for military children and a state’s policies for accepting professional licenses as part of future basing decisions.

This should be another reason why voters in Great Falls should support the next school levy. Great Falls is home to Malmstrom Air Force Base. Malmstrom’s military children attend school in Great Falls. Besides being a strategic deterrence to countries who might want to use nuclear weapons against us, the base has a strong economic impact on the area.

Sadly there’s a vocal group of people in Great Falls who are against levies to improve and sustain public education. I think they are a few fries short of the Happy Meal.

If the educators and those who are connected to public education in Great Falls all vote for the next levy, it should pass. This will help stop the bleeding of some of the programs and positions that were cut. Passing the next levy will possibly attract new businesses and maybe more military missions to Great Falls.

Above all, it will show that Great Falls supports public education.

JURY DUTY:

As you may know, I was summoned for jury duty in Federal Court right after being released from jury duty in State District Court.

I completed an on-line questionnaire for the Feds and then submitted paperwork via email asking to be excused due to a medical condition.

Within a few hours, the jury administrator replied and granted my request.

I have participated in juries and jury selection in Montana courts at various levels. Although I realize the Federal Court system has more money to do their jobs, their professionalism is far above the other courts.

That’s all I have to say about that.

ONE MORE THING:

Happy birthday to Theodor Seuss “Ted” Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss!

Dr. Seuss was born on March 2, 1904, and died on September 24, 1991.

 

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