Hello! Here are the topics for today’s column:
- Fireworks in Great Falls
- August Recess
- Rest In Peace, Ozzie
- One More Thing
FIREWORKS IN GREAT FALLS:
The Great Falls City Commission held a work session last night about “Potential Fireworks Restrictions.” There were several comments from attendees at the work session, both for and against a ban. As is often the case with public comments in commission meetings, there were several ignorant comments.
After about two hours of discussion and public input, it appears that they will place an option on the ballot for voters to approve or disapprove. It appears the option agreed to is Option #3, which says:
Option 3 – Revise the definition of “permissible fireworks”, limiting allowable fireworks for sale and discharge. Fireworks to be prohibited: 1) Fireworks designed to leave the ground, such as sky rockets, shells, cakes, missiles, roman candles, and bottle rockets; and 2) fireworks that explode, such as salutes and firecrackers. Permitted fireworks typically include sparklers, fountains, ground spinners, snap caps, smoke devices, and novelty items, except in authorized and permitted public displays.
This is not completely decided, as they have not voted on anything. Voting by the commissioners on the issue will come up in a regular commission meeting. You can view the work session agenda with the options discussed HERE.
By the way, I was in favor of Option #1:
Option 1 – prohibit the sale and/or discharge of fireworks within city limits, except in connection with authorized public displays.
AUGUST RECESS:
The U.S. House is leaving town early to avoid votes about the Jeffrey Epstein files. CBS News is reporting that lawmakers will now head home until Sept. 2, after votes on Wednesday afternoon.
Since Montana’s two U.S. Representatives, Ryan Zinke and Troy Downing, will have some extra time on their hands, I suggest they hold several publicized in-person town hall meetings to gather input and answer questions from constituents. I suggest constituents call their offices and request public meetings.
Montanans may not get to see too much of Montana’s U.S. Senators, Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy. President Donald Trump is asking U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune to forgo the Senate’s August recess and work to confirm his executive and judicial appointments. (Source)
REST IN PEACE, OZZIE:
I was saddened to hear about the passing of Ozzie Osbourne. He was 76. Osbourne was the frontman of pioneering heavy metal band Black Sabbath. As a solo artist and as part of Black Sabbath, Osbourne sold more than 100 million records worldwide. (Source)
Around 1977-78, my niece, who loved heavy metal, gave me the Black Sabbath compilation album, “We Sold Our Soul for Rock ‘n’ Roll.” There were 17 songs on the album, and a few are still on my Apple playlist. I still have the album.
Rest in peace, Ozzie!
ONE MORE THING:
If I don’t introduce you to the person I’m with, it’s because I don’t remember either of your names.
## THE END ##
The Western Word 
Surprise,surprise!! Pam Bondi AG, told Trump in May he was in the Epstein files. But really will it in the end hurt Trump with his 33% base? Of course not even now you have a few of them questioning what actually happened. They will not stand up to him in the end. Because they have no where else to go as they are so invested in Trump cult. Unfortunately Trump will not get impeached because I don’t believe the Democrats will get control of House or Senate especially with a 19% approval rating.even the corrupt GOP is at 33% approval. So yes Trump basically was telling the truth he could shoot someone on 5th Avenue and get away with it. Going to be much suffering in America for the next 3.5 years under this administration.
That fireworks Option 3 goes way too far, banning simple firecrackers and other smaller products. The public is never going to approve that and then it will be no holds barred forever.
If they truly care about any kind of ban that might pass they should concentrate on the big loud sky bomb things that affect the entire neighborhood and spray sparks and garbage all over the place. That is what most people have been complaining about.
The choice of option 3 pretty much tells me the commissoners want this to fail and are just going through the motions to assuage the anti crowd. They need to go back to the drawing board for some option 2 or 4 if they are serious. I will vote against that option 3 myself, just on general principles.
If they put option #1 on ballot I’m sure it would pass. #3 seems like a wimpy way out. -JmB
I have my doubts about Option 1 passing either, but that’s me.
On a slightly different note, two things really struck me last night:
1) How much more reasonable commissioner Tryon sounded than commissioner McKenney. IMO McKenney has caught himself up in “leadership” posturing in advance of his re-election bid. Just address the issues at hand and skip the nonsense. Alternative proposals and detailed discussion of the ramifications of the various choices would have been much a more constructive use of time.
2) The argument by many including McKenney that a ban isn’t going to be obeyed, so why even try. Okay, we could make the same argument about drugs and a lot of other things. But there are laws against or limiting those and new ones all the time. Leaders try to address problems they don’t throw up their hands.
Agreed. Joe has issues communicating. He seems afraid he will say the wrong thing. -JmB