If you read the local newspaper with any regularity, it would be hard to not be aware of the turmoil in Paradise over the proposed sewer. This is not a recent development.

The Paradise sanitation and public water supply has been a concern since at least 2005. It has been top ranked for the Montana Treasure State Endowed Program and received the maximum number of points for statutory priority #1 for solving a public health and safety need.

The Paradise County Sewer District was approved with 57% of the vote October 11, 2011.

Tuesday, May 17, 2022, yet another sewer board meeting was held that I attended. It was easy to understand how it’s possible that no progress has been made since 2005. All but one of the board members appeared to be against the sewer. One of the members has a business involving installing and repairing septic systems. Would this be a conflict of interest? My understanding is that a board is to serve the citizens they represent. With over one half of the residents wanting and/or needing to be on sewer, it would seem the board would work to achieve that goal. Sooner, rather than 17 years later. An example of the need… many of the old existing systems that are failing are on lots too small to install legal septic system.

I live in Thompson Falls – why should I care? 1) We all live downstream, their contamination affects our water quality and 2) the votes of the majority of the Paradise citizens should be honored.

Rusti Leivestad,

Thompson Falls