As North Forkers and Montanans, we consider ourselves fiercely independent. Also, we don’t think much about how others view us — mostly we just don’t care since we don’t envy folks from more populated areas of the country.

Recently, though, a friend who lives in Santa Barbara, Calif., sent me an article from his local newspaper.

A lady in California filed for district supervisor (county commissioner) but withdrew from the race before the primary because she was moving to Bozeman. She sent a letter to the Montecito Journal listing her top 10 reasons for moving to Montana. I wonder how common her views are?

1. There is no sales tax.

2. Property tax on a $1 million dollar house is $1,600 a year.

3. Everybody hates Republicans.

4. Everybody hates Democrats.

5. State troopers give warnings instead of tickets.

6. There are no design reviews or building codes.

7. There are no rules and no laws.

8. Ron Paul is the state’s patron saint.

9. Political incorrectness is the state’s religion.

10. They find dead sexual predators in Dumpsters and don’t look for the perpetrators.

In addition, this lady not only likes Montana’s ways but the style of dress. An accompanying photo shows her in skin tight pants tucked into mid-calf cowboy boots and wearing a fringed leather jacket over a white blouse, all topped by a white cowboy hat with a fancy band around the crown.

Obviously, if this letter is an accurate description of Bozeman we have some differences in the Flathead and especially on the North Fork.

If taxes on a million dollar home in Bozeman are $1,600 why am I paying that much for a 100-year-old house in Columbia Falls and nearly that much for a log cabin on the North Fork? Not to mention the other differences.

Meanwhile on the North Fork, fire danger is not as high here as it is in southwest Montana. We had a nice shower on Thursday, but we still have to be careful and watchful.

Still we also have a lot of fun. Open house at the Secrests’ featured several North Fork artists. Big feeds at Ed Neneman’s near Polebridge and at the Meekers’ and Kinsolvings’ near Trail Creek.

Not to mention fine meals at the Northern Lights Saloon. Many Trail Creekers drive down for pizza on Friday, but the prime rib, trout and Frenchy Peretiako’s French dinners are also popular. As a result, Elmer Benson is almost the only skinny North Forker.

Now that it’s August, all North Fork groups have had, or will soon have, their annual elections.

I hope everyone will take part in whichever group or groups that represent them. Most results will be in by next week.