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Articles by Gale Decker
Ronan Hall of Fame honors teacher, businessmen
The Ronan Hall of Fame will honor retired music teacher Cathy Gillhouse and local businessmen Gary Granley and Luther Thingelstad during its induction ceremony Feb. 14 at the Boys & Girls Club in Ronan. Distinguished Community Members: Gary Granley & Lute Thingelstad In 1955, Herman and Shirley Granley and Bud and Susie Hanson purchased Ronan’s Gambles hardware store on Main Street. Soon after, the name of the business was changed to Hanson and Granley.
Two “Distinguished Teams” added to Ronan Hall of Fame
Two Ronan teams will be inducted into the Ronan Fall of Fame during the ceremony on Feb. 14: the 1929 Ronan Chiefs, who took third place in a state tournament that included much larger schools, and the 2011 Robotics World Champions, who claimed the title in 2011. Robotics World Champions, 2011 Ronan High School’s appearance in the World Robotics Championships in St. Louis in the spring of 2011 was the school’s first trip to the elite competition.
Ronan Hall of Fame inductees: Anthony Patch and Zach Pitts
Profiles of the 2026 Ronan Hall of Fame inductees begin this week with Distinguished Alumni Anthony Patch and Distinguished Athlete Zachary Pitts. The Induction Celebration is 1 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Ronan Boys and Girls Club. Distinguished Alumni Anthony Patch, a 1996 graduate of Ronan High, began his career in the National Football League in 2001 interning as a talent scout with the Miami Dolphins.
Ronan Hall of Fame names new crop of inductees
The Ronan Hall of Fame committee has made their selections of individuals and teams for the Class of 2025.
Commissioner takes issue with police chief's book
The last issue of the Lake County Leader included an article about a recent book written and published by Polson City Chief of Police George Simpson titled, “Polson Chief authors book on Public Law 280 and Indian Law.” Since the publication of his book, which is full of false information and allegations that can easily be discredited, Simpson has changed his message to readers and the public regarding the content of his book.
Ronan Hall of Fame: Distinguished Athlete Terry Camel Brown
Profiles of new inductees into the Ronan Hall of Fame concludes with Terry Camel Brown – another member of a long list of Camel family athletes who excelled in multiple sports while attending Ronan High School. A member of the 1975 graduating class at Ronan, Camel established basketball and track records that still stand after 50 years. A hurdler, sprinter and long jumper in track, she claimed state titles twice in the 100-meter hurdles and 80-yard hurdles.
Ronan Hall of Fame: Distinguished Alumni Dennis Murphy
Profiles of new inductees into the Ronan Hall of Fame continue with Distinguished Alumni Dennis Murphy. Following a sports injury that ended his high school football playing career, Murphy’s desire to remain involved in sports led him to a career in sports medicine at the University of Montana.
Public land exchanges under MWRPA: Consider the facts
A recent letter to the editor published in a local paper contained the following advice for people preparing to vote in the election, “Get your facts and then vote from your heart.” Sadly, this has become the new normal as facts become more irrelevant when investigating any controversy and emotions drive decisions.
Commissioners' Update: Lawsuits, building project
Public Law 280 Lake County’s lawsuit against the State of Montana is working its way through the judicial system. In the suit, the County is arguing that the State is obligated to help pay some of the substantial financial costs associated with exercising Public Law 280, (PL 280) jurisdiction on the Flathead Reservation. This law, which took effect in 1964, requires the County to prosecute all felonies committed on the reservation by any member of a federally recognized tribe.
Guest column: Rulings offer some clarity for property tax exemptions
A three-member arbitration panel recently rendered decisions in favor of Lake County on two of the three issues contested in a lawsuit brought against the Montana Department of Revenue (MDOR), by the County related to the Temporary Tribal Tax Exemption (TTTE), a statute enacted in 2012. The statute provides property tax exemptions for a maximum of five years for properties owned in fee by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes on the Flathead Reservation.
Valley Views for Dec. 22, 2021
Home > Opinion > Columns We need to sit down together Issue Date: 3/9/2022 Last Updated: 3/8/2022 7:30:45 PM | Gale Decker, Lake County Commissioner District 3 A three-member arbitration panel recently rendered decisions in favor of Lake County on two of the three issues contested in a lawsuit brought against the Montana Department of Revenue (MDOR), by the County related to the Temporary Tribal Tax Exemption (TTTE), a statute enacted in 2012.
Guest editorial: Lake County is at a breaking point
In the early 1960s, the state of Montana and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council agreed to conduct law enforcement on the Flathead Reservation under a federal law known as Public Law 280. Under its authority, the state accepted responsibility to provide law enforcement for cases involving tribal members. Today, the Lake County Sheriff's Office and county attorney prosecute all felonies in our jurisdiction, including those involving tribal members.
County Commissioner responds to irrigation issues, requests comments
Home > Opinion > Columns Issue Date: 8/18/2021 Last Updated: 8/17/2021 4:40:14 PM | Gale Decker, Lake County Commissioner The August 4th Valley Journal published an article related to the collection of irrigation fees by the Lake County Treasurer’s Office. For decades the treasurer has collected those fees and distributed them to the districts upon demand. The Lake County Commissioners are considering ending this service due to the recent passage of the Montana Water Rights Protection Act.
Issues about taxes needs clarified
Home > Opinion > Columns Issue Date: 2/24/2021 Last Updated: 2/23/2021 10:34:08 PM | By Gale Decker, Lake County commissioner The Valley Journal re-printed an informational article from the Montana Free Press newspaper on Feb. 10 related to Lake County’s attempt to have the Temporary Tribal Tax Exemption statute repealed by the 2021 legislature. I would like to clarify some of the points raised in the article.
Secrecy Surrounding the Montana Water Rights Protection Act
Opinion | Guest Column The act is an example of why 75% of Americans have little or no trust in the federal government By Gale Decker // Aug 13, 2020 Amid all the controversy surrounding Sen.
CSKT damages report ought to be shared with Lake County
In anticipation of a settlement act that would implement the Montana Water Rights Compact, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes began doing their homework several years ago to come up with a settlement dollar amount that would satisfy the damage claims inflicted on the Flathead Reservation by the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project.
New Bison Range bill still unacceptable
Last month the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes released the second draft of the National Bison Range Transfer and Restoration Act of 2016. The tribes also released a summary of key changes that had been made to the original draft.
leaderadvertiser.com: Opinion - Commissioner: Bison Range Transfer does not have enough strings attached
In April of 2016, Lake County received notice that for Fiscal Year 2014 the county would get a payment of $37,218 from the Department of the Interior from the National Wildlife Refuge Fund in lieu of property taxes on National Bison Range lands. This payment is made annually to Lake County and typically runs two fiscal years behind. The bill would provide partial payments to Lake County to mitigate the funding loss for five years.
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