Standard opinion

By Roberta Stauffer - 03/05/2008

What a great bolt out of the blue. Gov. Brian Schweitzer’s Tuesday announcement that a wind turbine manufacturing company is coming to Butte came as a complete surprise, but we’re not complaining. This type of clean industry is just what Butte needs, and the governor can spring news like this on us any time he wants.

The plant, to be built by Fuhrlander, a German company, is expected to create 150 good manufacturing jobs paying $15 to $25 an hour, plus benefits. If the work force proves itself and demand for wind machines continues to grow, there’s a chance that blades could be made in Butte as well, creating up to 600 more jobs.

That decision’s a ways into the future, but even the promise of 150 jobs is fantastic news, and we hope for smooth sailing over the next six months as the financing and permitting details are worked out.

If construction on this plant starts in the fall as hoped and the plans for SeaCast move forward as expected, 2008 could be a banner year for economic development with the ripple effects we’ve been longing for: more customers for our retail businesses, more tax income from new residents to shore up our aging infrastructure, more students for our schools, now grappling with falling enrollments. It’s all good.

And while that announcement is a tough act to follow, Skyline Sportsmen also deserves a thumbs up for stepping up to offer two $250 rewards for information that will help nab the vandals who shot up the Subaru behind Montana Tech recently and the lowlifes whose idea of a good time is to destroy fences and other improvements around Big Butte, which only recently became a public asset.

These thoughtless crimes cannot be tolerated, and we thank Skyline for keeping them in the public eye. President Joe Maloney said the group has offered rewards like this before when bad actors tarnish the reputation of outdoor recreationists.

“We think it’s important to clean up the image of hunters and sportsmen and shooters,” Maloney said. “It’s a terrible thing they did to her car.” Somebody out there has a conscience and knows who’s behind these acts, and we encourage them to step forward soon. Skyline is asking people to call law enforcement at 497-1120.

CrimeStoppers is also offering a reward of up to $250 for information on the shot-up Subaru. Its number is 782-7336.

And finally, thumbs up on the selection of Denys Dutton as the volunteer coordinator for the National Folk Festival, coming up July 11-13. With his military background and heartfelt personal commitment to volunteerism, he’s sure to keep crews both highly organized and whistling while they work.

As Mainstreet Executive Director George Everett said in a recent release, “Through a variety of volunteer projects in Butte, Denny has shown that he has the skills and the experience for the chore. A great plus is his deep affection for Butte and its amazing history that is contagious.” Under “Get Involved” at the festival Web site, www.nationalfolkfestival.com, you’ll find a quick and easy way to sign up to volunteer, plus descriptions of all the jobs needing workers. Opportunities are even organized by level of exertion required: sit-down tasks, walking/standing positions and “muscle required” — the hard work of set-up and tear-down.

To volunteer by phone, call 497-6464, or by mail, write National Folk Festival, c/o Mainstreet Uptown Butte, P.O. Box 696, Butte, MT 59703.