| The Burton K. Wheeler
Center was established to provide a forum for the
discussion of issues of concern to Montanans.
That continues to be our goal - to provide
opportunities for the discussion and debate of
current issues in a thoughtful and nonpartisan
environment. We believe we are establishing a
good record: In the past 18 months, we
have sponsored programs on National Forest
Management (Missoula), on the proposed expansion
of US Highway 2 across northern Montana (Great
Falls), and on the future of coal bed natural gas
development (Billings).
In all cases, participants have expressed
various and and differing viewpoints in a
non-confrontational atmosphere. Via written
evaluations, attendees confirmed they went away
with a better understanding of the the issues
and the various stakeholders' viewpoints.
An informed public, of course, represents the
beginning of good public policy. The
reactions to our programs suggest that the Center
is performing a valued public service.
In that spirit, plans for the coming year
include a Roundtable on the business aspects of
creating electric energy (May 15 in Bozeman) and a
Fall Conference in Bozeman on statewide revenue
generation. We hope you will join us
for these important events. |
