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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMT Assn of RR Passengers (2)MONTANA Association of Railroad Passengers - MARP 2110 Wingate Lane Billings, Montana 59102 Dedicated to Retaining, Improving, and' Increasing Railroad Passenger service in Montana JANUARY 2OO7 ECONOMIC FORUM I at~nded a Breakfast forum regarding where the city of Billings, County of Yellowstone and the state of Montana stands according to statistics. The main speaker was Larry Swanson and economist and President of the Rocky Mountain West. The mediator was Jim Duncan of the Billings Clinic. Speakem were John Cech, Dean MSUB College of Technology; Kathy Kelker, l~ustee school dis~ot 2; Tina Volek, City Administrator;, Joe McClure, Exec Director of Big Sky EDA/EDC; and John Brewer, President and CEO of the Billings Chamber. There warn 300 registrations for the event. For much of two houm we heard what is neaded for educaUon, the city and the area in general to move forward in this population expansion. Some very interesting stats were presented and very interesting ideas presented. They then for about 15 minutes asked for questions and about 150 plus hands were raised. Them ware only about five tables of open sealing, which means we ware in the beck. So I decided to stay and talk to them one fo one. I said to Lany Swanson that his facts and ideas were interesting, but how come he never mentioned passenger mil se~ce coming into the hub cities of Montana. He said he should have as it is becoming mere apparent that this mode of Imnsportafion must be taken more seriously. I posed the same question to John Brewer and Joe McClure who agreed that even though that was not on their agenda it must be addressed. The nice part of the whole thing wes they agreed future sessions must be set in separete discussion groups and rail transportation (freight and passenger) must be one of them. It will be nice if R really happens and we get invited to participate. CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATURE TO HELP WITH SECURING FUNDS FROM THE SURPLUS TO INCREASE AND IMPROVE RAIL TRANSPORTATION IN MONTANA. IT CAN BE DONE IF YOU WILL HELP BY CALLING NOW BEFORE THEY USE IT ALL I SENT THE FOLLOWING LE'I-rER TO POLITICIANS, MEDIA & FORUM SPEAKERS I'I'HE BILLINGS GAZETTE PUBLISHED IT) We hear a lot about doing things to help the citizens of Montana, but I have not heard one parson state in public that they think il is high time we improved passenger rail service for the quality of LIFE for Montana citizens. We hear and reed in the paper about the big suq~lus the State has and there are a lot of thoughts what to do with iL Again I have not heard anyone state that the use of some of suqoles should be used to improve the quality of LIFE for Montana citizens by Increasing and Improving passenger Rail Service. In each major city there are educational facilities, health facilities, large shopping centers which could be a boost not only to the Senior citizens of Montana, but the College students and the general public as wall. More and more cities around the counby are becoming hubs with light rail and/or computer train service running between them and the rural areas. For example a Miles City or Glendive/Billings; a Billings/Livingston, Columbus, Bozeman, Helena would be gmat news fo a let of paople. It could be done with the cooparetion with the State, Counties, BNSF, Montane Rail Unk, the Hespitais; the Chambem, es there is equipment available to do the job. The new DMU's and the older RDC's cars are capable of this task. Responses have bccn very positive. Another chance for the politicians to help the cilizens is to buy the tracks between Greet Falls and Helena, then lease them out like they did for the Central Montana Railmed- Chadle Russell Choo Choo. But that line could be used for more than just a dinner train, it could provide bensportation betv~n the two cities during the week every week. I know that there would be a cost in repairing the tracks, but it would be better than lethng BNSF abandon il, as there has not been any service for four years. The home owners in the aree are fighting not fo let become a trail for motorcycles and snow mobiles. There is a well known parson living in the aree that could do a lot for the cause. I know the Legislature has to approve the use of the Surplus money, so I say to them think about the quality of LIFE for Montana. It can be done IF you people really want what's best for us citizens. Rernernber in the middle of LIFE is IF. James C Green, President Mentana Association of Railroad Passengers RECEIVED I received a letter from the CEO of the Billings trensporlation to get medical care. I ~ contact ethe~ Heepitate. to. get thek s. uppoxt of ¢=: etfmts te ~¢;; t~e ¢i~:=.-.= hav~ easie~ ese.c== te Health care with public t~anspurtation. YOUR HELP IS NEEDED Help us help you and your fellow citizens! Call your local Hospital and ask the. administrator if he would give us a letter of support in our- efforts to serve th.e_ m_.ra_! a_.r. _~ wi[h.._b~_~._e.r pqbl!C_ transportation. Call the Chamber in your area to enlist the~ supporL Ifyou know someone who will be either in the '-Siaiu House or State Senate, get his/her email address, and get it to me so I can fell them about our efforts~ D!SCUSS!ON WITH VIP On my way home from Spokane on the Builder, [ had lunch with. Larry Bonderud~ Pres No, Montana AssociaUon of Railroad Passengers. We talked about getlJng a group together in each of the communities wi'd1 A.,bak stafio~,.i Then have them. apply- so that the station, is_ (~n. the Nali(~na!. HJ~R~d.~ai mgistor, it would then be great to have them decide what needs, to. be done. at their station to improve iL Federal money then could be obtained for the improvements. Another item these groups could do is g_et enough local volunteers to meet flrte tmine to he!p any passenger going and coming with any problem they seemed to have. These groups a..re ._bei_'.ng cal!.ed."S_..t~..'.o_n Ho_s_~'.. We_ to increase the number of Fidere having a goc~l experience on the Empire Builder, so as to secure its existonce. ARE YOU A CURRENT MEMBER.'? We keep. sending out newsletters, hoping, for two things. One is that keep you better and nation ~x)nc~ming rail I~assenger The offter reason is to get you- a liffie more excited with the. possibility of mom. rail passenger service in Montana. It is a very inexpensive way to keep the news flowing on a subject of interesL We need more dedica~ people to step. up. and say that they want to be part of this project. Amt~ak Rep[aces. Six ExecutJ~e.s in Management Shake-Up _De~ember 192_0_~ - B_l.o. qm.._b~_rg Amtrek Chief Executive Officer Alexander Kummant replaced six top managers as part of a move to boost efficiency at the government-funded U.S. passenger since Kummaal; 46, became CEO on SepL 12. They f.~_ ~'~' a_n QcR. 2_5_ re~_ _it. b~y i[is .peqt~ .o_r ge-n.e_rais at Am..tm_k management of legal contracts may have cost the railroad* tens of millions of dollars. Kummant's choices put his appointees in charge of AmUak's legal work, sa~ and lng, finan~ ce~ul~ty- and- oper~ens, "The rsslmctuitng and pemonnel changes put in place the_ team that will dave_ the_ vis_io_n and fu~m-_ o_f our company," Kummant said today in a ietter to Amlrak employees. Eleanor Acheson wilt become Amtmk's top legal officisl, replacing Alicia Sen<ab/; Dais Stein will be chie{ financiat officer, replacing David Smith; and Jori Taim)w is acting head of operatieEs, replaoiflg Tom Schmiclt, the Washington-baeed railroad said in an e-mailed statemenL The i~lk~ and_ .~ del2a,'lment, is_ McOonnell. replaces current chief Al' Broadbent, Amtrak said. Marketing and sales operations will be managed by Bill Schulz, are beth leaving, Amtrsk said. Improved FJflc.,iency "Them am_ ~me good changes hem~ especially named Emmett F~ernaux as the new. bead of marketing and product management,", said Ross Capon, executive director of National ~ of Railroad P=~-<_aegers in Wesbiagton. Fremam( is"a unde~a~nds sewice issues and places a high value on them in. that IX~St,:' Capon. sa'id, in an. inte~iew. The operation of trains, better passenger service and reduced- losses," Amtmk spokesman Cliff Black said. U.S. Represerdativa James Obemtar, a Democrat from Transportation Committee, wasn't immediateh/ava~bie to comment. Florida RepubJican John Mica. the paners outgoing heed~ was b~efod on the changes by aides ead '~generally approves of them," said Gary Bums, a spokesman for Mica. The New York Times on Dec~ 16 said Amlr'ak fired Smib~, Bmadbent, Richardson and Schulz, citing currant afld former-officials the newspaper didn't identify. WHAT IS THE DELAY?? NO BETTER TIME THAN NOW!! WE CAN DO IT, IF YOU WILL HELP!! WRITE THAT CHECK NOW FOR $25! You wilt notice that the aracle about Amtrak web site _c~i_'n~ ~. qu_~ ~ _oq[ ..d~s__ _ire_ t.o_ qrg.a.~.'.~_~ Gitiz_~..s_ ~_ that each staten have some historical items about the ama they represanL We do make. progress. Sometimes it takes longer than Amtrak Launches Web Site to Generate Interest and Investment in Stet/on Renovations subm~ed by Bar~y Green In the December issue of 'Amtrak Ink", (Amtrak employee newsletter), Amtrak announced an effort to generate interest among public officials, community leaders, and others that have an interest in revitalizing their local train stations that are currently served by Amtrak. Amtrak hopes to cultivate partnerships within local communities to make inveslments in their local stations. Enhancements made to these stations have the potential of benefitting the local city or town that Amtrak serves in the form of economic development as well as the traveling public that arrives and departs from the stroh. The Web Site currently features the Amtrak Stations along the "Empire Builder" route but will eyentually feature all stations across the countiy that Amtrak serves. Information about age and current ownership of the stations, potential funding sources, and advice on how to get started on rejuvenating a station is included on this site. Specific questions can be directed to one of the Amtrak Government Affairs Field Directors that are assigned to specific states that a particular Amtrak train travels through. To read the ~Amtmk Ink" article, found on pages one and six, go to <www. amtrak.com>; select the link "Inside Amtrak', found in the lower left comer of the page; select the link "Amtrak Employees: Amtrak Ink"; finally select the December 2006 link to the Dec. issue of =Amtrak Ink'. The specific web site that Amtrak has designed to foster this project can be found at <www. q reatamericanstations.com>. The Montana Association of Railroad Passengers stands ready to assist any local communities currently serviced by Amtrak's ~Empire Builder" in an effort to enhance Amtrak's station stops in Montana. Get on board to help us get this project started and accomplished for the betterment of rail passenger service. Cdmment By Michael Ackley, V-President - South Montana Association of Railroad Passengers In response to the Missourian Editorial on Dec. 28, 2006 regarding "Car Crashes, A Deadly Story We Keep Missing?. We Americans value freedom of choice. Why then have we allowed our Government to limit our transportation choices? Citizens need reliable transportation for their livelihoods and to save lives. Passenger reil service can make a positive step in the ever increasing highway fatality problem. Our Governor talks about different fuel altemativss, the President tells us we need to get away from our addiction to foreign oil and, Global Warming issues due to increased automobile emissions are in the news daily. After the two Energy Crises in the 1970's and the recent dramatic increase in gasoline pdces it's critically irnportant to make us less dependent on the automobile, Montanans need continued service on the Empire Builder along the High-line and reinstate service from Missoula to Billings and Spokane. There is a strong public support for this service and we need this choice for a better quality of life. THIS LETTER SENT TO: Jeff Essmann;,Roy Brown, Dave Lewf~ Emie Ou#on, Adene Becket, Mike Cooney, Scott Sales, Alan Olson, Ken Peler~on Would any of you like to submit a bill, we need two of them entered for consideration. 1. To allocate some of the surplus money to pumhasing rail passenger equipment to improve public transportation in Montana, and other monies needed to start up the routes. It would take a total of 40/50 Mill to get it all done. 2. To allocate some money to purchase the railroad right of way between Helena and Great Falls from BNSF, like the state did when the merger happened in the 70's. They bought the dght of way between Lewistown and Denton which the Central Montana Railroad leases from the state and the YOGO inn pays the CMR to run the Charlie Russell Choo Choo dinner train. The Helena - Great Falls route could be used for passenger service and a terrific tourist mute through the canyon for a dinner train. Freight service could be done also.. James Green, President Montana Association of Railroad Passengers F'rance hopes to set work/speed' record' of' 342mph with new TGV By John Lichfieldin Paris Published:= December2006 The French railways will attempt to raise the world speed record for a conventional train lo. at leant 342mph in the new yeaF - smashing their awn 16-year-old record. Tests with a new generation high-sl~%'~l train, o_~ .t/a__in grande vitae ~s~_.. (TG_V), will attempt to push the speed record for steel wheels on steel ra~ to at least 550kph (342 mph) and possbly 570kph (354mph). The tests will try out a new line to the east, fram Padsto Metz, which isdue ta open to the public at a maximum speed of 320k~h (200m~h) in June. The record attempt will' also rna~ a strong statement [h~[ Fra~n~ is_ re_a_d~ IQ take en q~ml~JQn fram Jepan and Gem~any in the muitibiition-pound market for high-speedtmins. The record for conventional trains is 515.3kph (320mph), which was sat bythe French railways, SNCF, in 1990. Monorail or magrtetic levif~Jo~ trains have reached highe~~ speeds on experimental tracks. The tests wilt form part of a "pro. am me of French high-si;~ed excellenc~" launched yestsrdey by the. Transport Minister, Dominique Peal)eh. A new, more powerful type of double-decker TGV - ts be unveiled in the next couple of days by ,~_[_~_~_ m, the French transport engineering. company- ~ make hms east of Paris f~om February. Philippe Mellier, the president of AIstom's transport division, said ~=~'~rd~y that a sho~[~ train oJ~ ~ 570kph. M. Mefiier denied reports that SNCF and AJstom would t~y to smash the 600kph barrier. The tests will nonethelass ta~e rail travel almeat up. to hopes ts upgrade all its hig_h-speed lines to 3201~ph, possibly 360kph (224mph); fo~ o~dina~ se~ice I~ains. The tap spee~ of sewico trains on. Britain's railways is 140mph on the east coast main line and 125mph on the west coast. The exception is the French-style, purpose-built, high-speed line from the Channel tunnel, which is due te open its second stage to St Pancras in London next year, with a top speed of 300kph (186mph). M. Perben said that the program me of raJl excellence woul~ also explore improvements to ~ and signailng, and study any environmental effects of service bales with even higher speeds. The aim was to "define railways of the future and allow France to keep its world leadership in high-speed trains". Alstom and SNCF are compefinc~ with Sis. mens of German~ and Kawasaki-Mitsubishi of Japan to supply high-speed baths to China, South Korea, Spain and Argentina. Prance has won orders for Spain and South Korea but the first Chinese orders have g.one tp Siemens. The domestic high-speed trains to. Kent, ~ich will share the Channel tunnel rail link with Eurostar from next year, will he supplied by Japan, but will be operated by Keolis, PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN. ASHAMED THAT OUR POLITICAL LEADERS DO NOT TAKE CARE OF OUR CITIZENS LIKE OTHER NATIONS DO WITH SAFE TRAVEL. Democrats Pledge to Restrain Spending Critics Say Party's Goals Are Too Lofty By Lmi Montgomery Washington Post Staff Wdter Tuesday. Deceml~e~ ?~c~,. 20_(~;. AQ1 Dstenmined to banish their old tax-a,'td-spend image, Democrats want ts shdnk the federal deficit, presence tax cuts for the middle class and challenge the president to raise money for the iraq war wben they take control of Congress nextwee~. But-it-won'tbe easy~ The incoming Democratic chairmen of the House and Senate Budget c~mraltteas said they plan to honor a campaign promise, to devnte billions of a~lifional dollars a ye.a~ to hemeland. secudly and education. And they reiterated a commitment not to cut off funding for U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Bu~ with the costs of those military operations rising and President Bush considering an expansicn of forces, the incornin~ chairmen, Rep. John M. S@rati and Sen. Kent Conrad, said they ~11 have little room in tbei~ budgst bk.,prints for significant new demestic spending, such as closing a mu ch-criticized gap in the new Medicare I~m~criptJon-drug benefit that forces millions of ~rs to pay 100 percent of drag costs for a few weeks or months each year~ They said they will press Bush to help finance a war that is costing the nation as much as $8 billion a month. "Raising taxes ~o.uid certsJ~y bean option,' Conrad sai~ i~ a~ inte~view~ 'q~e president, this is i~s. policy. He's got an obligation to pay for it.' The t~o qhair~nen said they would seek to save_ m~ney by ' ~ demanding a better accounting of militm7 spending and an end to 'tile ever-expanding 'shadow budget' of supplemental and bridge funds," as they put it in a letter to the White House isst week that was. also sig~ed by eutgoing Senate Budget Committee chairman Judd Gregg (R-N.H.). Thosa budget mechanisms have funneled more tha_n ~_~_ bi!lio_n tq i~rrqr-mla~ .t~l_. q .ps_rations_ s_i~;e ~e~t_ ~ 11, 2001, with little scrutiny from the Republican lawmakers who are leaving power. Spratt said he would spend most of January in oversight headngs to determine .where the money is going. '"vVhen the president talks abo~ stsying the ceurse, he ne~er mentioRs east as a faCtOr," Spratt said. '1~ut it is a factor, particularly when you get _cq_st~ Qve_r ~100 I~illio~n a y. _~_r2 S_l~ret~ ~nd _Cqn _md s_a_l.d_. they wouk~ aim ts. balance the budget by 20.12, a goal. that could anger liberal Democrats eager for new spending on domestic programs and conservative Republicans de~ to. preserve the tax cuts passed during Bush's first term. But it atse could establish the Democrats as able stewards ofthe nation's treasury, political analysts said~ gN)ngthe party's I~res_id~e_nti~! _ca_nd~e[_es- a_n iml~r~nt accomplishment for the 2008 campaign. "In terms of practical politics, the reality is this: We have to he on go~d behavior so wa have a chance to win the presidency," said Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.), a leader of the Blue Dog Coalition, a g~oup of conservative Hsuse ~- whose ranks s~velled to 44 in the November elections. "~Ve have a chance r~w of having a_ new _D~m~t~c Party that supports the middle class and has middle-class prisri~an at heart." Republicans and budget experts say they doubt Democrats can simultaneously cut the deficit and meat thei~ spending goals, especially given GOP opposi~n to higher taxes. Bush's top budget advisers said last week that they see no need to increase taxes to pay for military o _J~_ra_t~ns in Iraq a_nd Afgha_nis_t~n, which a-m_'exl~c~t~ tq 2006. ~~s~~.~, ~ = ~ ~ ~'~ ~ billion in ~e ~1 ~r ~ in ~r ~u~ of an une~ sure ~~"R~~.~a g~~"~ H~ ~t~ R~ ~n. ~ has en~l~ us n~ j~t ~ ~ · e ~ ~ [~] s.~me~ - ~ ~ ~- ~ ~-ted~effie~." ~ say ~e annual ~ ~ kept a~ ~w ~ ~sh ~ ~m ~ ~1 ~ ~ ~nd. ~ n~on's ~1. ind~n~ is ~p~ing $9 ~, and ~ton ~bt~by 23 ~ ~ ~r, m~ ~ ~e ~t~ng ~ of ~ ~ona~ p~s ~ am ~ing ~er ~u~ ~ an in--singly e~n~ mil~. In ~e ~i0n ~ ~ ~soci~, in pa~ ~ I~a~m ~ ~ sup~ paln~l ~di~ ~in~. T~ ~ ~~ ~te ~ug ~. s~p~ ~ds ~r ~a~m' ~ pm~, ~ as ~n~ ~d.~ ~. ~. ~.~ pu~ ~n~ pull~. ~ ~ ~na~ p~mms and a~ a ~o m~ ~ ~g~ in ~ ~1~ and ~ ~ ~ ~nue ~.~y ~r some b~-fi~ ~e~: : ~ have. ~mmi~ tq haN~ i~t ~ f~ ~! ~ ~e ~m~ ~y ~nt mom m~ey ~r ~er a~: ~ ~, fi~ ~n~m a~ ~ Na~ Gu~. ~ ~e~ m~. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~me ~ffie ma~e ~ and ~e ~ 10 ~nt ~ b~. PAID UP __ME__. _MI _ ERS Listed below, ere ir~ividuat* membem whe have paid their dues for this ~ear. If your name is not listed list. Sitars, om over and. above, the members are llated also at the end. 1..A~thur Pool 3. JohnVanAken. 7. Susan Wahl 9. Barbara Woemer 11. Michell Frede~.s 13. ~rina Dresser 15. Dave Lewis0NY) 4. MichaeI. Ackiey 6. Wa~en ~ 8. Dr. Don Woemer 10 B. al~ Green. 12. Bob Dresser 14. Dan McFading 16. Joyce Pletz Hal Cooper -- dues and donation Wind McCaFmey;l~ dues and do~afi~ Don~ see your name. Send a check for $25~ this even means: Chambem; Mayom, Cemmissianers; F~fiends; Businesses, hobbyists and eve~ypody else. DO you really want more mil passenger service in our state or am you just talking. The December :23 New York Times had a very upbeat article, "Surprising Forecast for Amtrak: Growth," by Ma hew Wald and Don Phillips. It begins: "Amtmk could see a ddership growth spurt of 50 pament in ~ .next. _fi~e_ to_ 1.0_ ye_am, b_ut it_ ..wo"u~ ~mquim billions of state and federal, dollars invested in the tyacke of other railroads, and millions mom of private investment in passenger mil cam, the new president of the railroad said Thursday in mt interring." It alsohas.this: "Amkak's. chairman, David M. Laney~ cheso~ by the Bush admini~bu6on, and Mr. Kummant am viewed with s_u_s~_i~o_n b~y _sqme o_f Amtra_k's_ a_!!.'.,~_ _ iN. _C~ngree.~, whe ~ they share the view of the Transportation De, pmlment that the railroad, a perennial money-loser, should drop its IongTdistance mutes. But in a one-hour interview in his olfico, which was punctuatecl by the vibra'dnos from trains passing in a tunosi, four stories bsiow~ Mr. Ku~,.m, sot said, "We're not going to do anything radical there. "The c~t ~ (~.m _ _s.~c~_ untry ~ain.a _cqm.e_s_ t~ a~ut a d_ _o!!a_r irreplaceable. He compared trains h~e the Empire Builder and the City of New Orleans to assets like national parks. '1 haven~ had ttm opportunity to, go;to. Glacier N~rml Park since 1976, but I pay texes eve~/yea~ i~ the hope that I have the option to go back," Mr. Kummant said..." · ~,e n.. Frank Lautenl~erg { _D-NJJ. is qu~d_ inclk~ating h~_ reauthorizatlen billsimilar to S:1516 [the Lott-Lautanberg bill] that passed the Senate Cofnmerce Committee in 2005_ A,'~ ,'-ak kept- rending ~urir~ last- west's De~ve~ bl~--~. Some of you complained that the media dMnl pay enough atlenfio~ te this. The ABC teJe~isk~ ~ did have a good still viewable at Last wesk, A~nlmk apparerflly added no extra capacity;, NARP complained. Now, ~ another bl;~[ bearing dowrt on. Colorado, Amtiak has added. some Chicago-Denve~ coach seats. Montanans! We truly believe our state leaders are not giving us, the citizens, a chance. With Montana having one of highest highway death rates and being a large land area state, we are bei~j subjected to m~safe co~ditiens. Not only do I bia.me the politicians, but beth B_NSF and MRL, whe sheuld be letting u_s_ know t_h_e_y a_m willing _to_ cooperate with us and finally you and me who sit onour backside and let it happen. Lets do something about itlll Join us_ in our endeavom. Be part of the team!i! MONTANA ASSOCIATION OF RAILROAD PASSENGERS 2110 WINGATE LANE BILLINGS, MONTANA 59102 406-652-1339 ~MT. NET NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 309 BILLINGS, MONTANA 115 W: 1'~ St. Laurel, Mt 59044 -- THiS EDITION OF THE OEFICIAL NEWS FOR "MARl~ IS WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE FOLLOWING BUSINESS. WE ASK YOU TO THANK AND TO SUPPORT THEM. WE NEED MORE LIKE THEM. BE A DUES PAYING MEMBER OR BE A SPONSOR OF THE NEWSLE'I-rER OR BETTER YET, BE BOTH. PLEASE HELPI! LEW1S TREE SERVICE 225 SHERMAN ROCK SPRINGS, WY 307-382-8675 ACKLEY PAINTING 1603 JACKSON ST MISSOULA, MT 59802 406-728-2178 MCCARTNEY-WARF CONSTRUCTION INC P O BOX 163 WHITEFISH, MT 59937 406-862-5449 OR 862-7646 DEPOT ENTERPRISES JANEL MADRAZO BU~-I'E, MT 59701 406-494-4968 ROBERT & CATHERINE FISHTAIL, MT HAL COOPER PASCO, WASH CHICO HOT SPRINGS PRAY, MT 59065 406-333-4933 DON'T LET OUR ORGANIZATION GO THE SAME WAY THE CABOOSE HAS GONE, -- KEEP US ON TRACK AND GOING. PAY YOUR YEARLY DUES N !Il OW... PAY YOUR SPONSOR FEE NOW- FOR FUTURE ISSUES.I! WE ARE GAINING GROUND AND MAKING OUR POSITION KNOWN.