Bus ride to Helena well-supported by elected officials

To the Editor:

The bus trip to Helena showing support for the Montanore mine project had broad support from the south

Lincoln County community, our county commissioners and our legislators.

In spite of nearly 6 hours each going and coming there was an overload of passengers and other vehicles

were recruited to ferry the overload. Five thirty a.m. is not an easy time to start on an excursion but

everyone was enthusiastic concerning the cause.

Senator Aubyn Curtiss met us in the rotunda of the capitol to voice her support for the cause and her

regret that she could not join us in our meeting with the governor. She stated that her heart is with us but a

very important meeting had to take precedence and she knew that our other legislators would be joining our

group meeting.

Representatives Rick Maedje and Ralph Heinert did join us and our Commissioners, Rita Windom,

Marianne Roose and John Konzen and Mayor Tony Berget were with us in our entreaty to the Governor to

expedite the Montanore mine.

The governor assured us that he supports the natural resource industries and intends to support the mine

within the bounds of his office. Of course, our group hopes that this means that the mine will be permitted

to begin operations within a year. The governor's appointee as director of the Department of Environmental

Quality, Richard Oppeer, noted that he is married to a Libby native.

Spirits were high on leaving the governor's office. We all felt that we were at the very least trying to

influence our own futures and hopefully making a difference in the future of Lincoln County and the state

of Montana.

Teddye Beebe