September 24, 2024
Hey Y’all,
There is nothing finer than fall in Montana, and we are in the midst of a beautiful one this year. I hope you are enjoying the warm weather, the turning leaves, and all of the events and actives around the community this month. Carroll's new Valley Bank Field at Nelson Stadium is especially nice. The Saints dominated a new, young, inexperienced team from Simpson College in Redding, CA at the homecoming game Saturday. The final score was 52-0. It was great afternoon in the stands. I think this years’ crosstown game will be played at Carroll. It is shaping up to be a good game. Both teams are strong. Helena High lost 40-27 in a heartbreaker to Glacier last Friday night (but the Bengals played very well. My grandkids went to the Homecoming dance Saturday evening, and had a wonderful time. The dance took some of the sting out of the defeat. Meanwhile, in Missoula on Friday, Capital High School defeated Hellgate High 42-6. And the East Helena Vigilantes won their game against the Custer County Cowboys 49-35 on Friday. The Helena IR does such a good job of reporting on sports that I seldom comment, but this week is an exception. Go Saints. Go Bengals. Go Bruins. Go Vigilantes.
It’s also election season, which is a lot like football season in the Capital City. For the next two weeks at Hometown Helena we’re going to have ‘Candidate Introductions.’ We pulled up short with trying to arrange full blown debates or forums and determined to simply invite local legislative candidates to attend, and introduce themselves to the Hometown audience. This week we’re pleased to be joined by:
Nancy Jane Lien (HD 75 – D)
Luke Muskiewicz (HD 79 – D – open seat)
Jeff Benson (SD 38 — D)
We may have a few more candidates confirmed by this Thursday, but that’s it so far. First off, we want to thank these people for seeking office. It’s a major undertaking to organize a campaign, raise money, hit the doors, and meet the citizenry. And if successful, to spend the first four months of 2025 working 10-12 hours a day in the Capitol, attending hearings, answering emails, fielding phone calls, dealing with lobbyists, voting on hundreds of bills, and all the rest that the job requires.
And here’s a shoutout to the Helena Area League of Women Voters (LWV). The League really stepped up their efforts to educate the community this year. Last evening (9/23) the LWV held a County Commission Candidate Forum. On October 7th the League is sponsoring another event entitled ‘Do You Know What You’re Voting for November 5th’. This is an opportunity to learn about the proposed Constitutional initiatives that are on the ballot: CI-126, CI-127, and CI-128. This will be at the Lewis and Clark Library, starting at 5:30 PM.
My understanding is that absentee ballots will be mailed out October 11th. And the polls will be open early on November 5th. Please watch your mail for your ballot, or figure out where you vote in person if that’s your preference. Elections matter. Voting is our right, and our responsibility.
Looking forward to seeing you Thursday morning, either in person or on the Zoom, courtesy of our friends at Pinion Global, Inc.
Jim Smith
406-949-1002
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