Campaign signs vandalized; reward offered by Holston
To the editor,
I am offering a cash reward of $500 for information leading to the arrest and successful prosecution of the person or persons responsible for the theft and destruction of political campaign signs in Flathead County. The reward is personal and not from campaign funds.
In recent days, vandals have repeatedly gone onto private property and have stolen or destroyed dozens of signs of local Democratic candidates. I personally have replaced over two dozen stolen signs. Some have been stolen from the same location three times. Although the signs of our opponents located on neighboring properties have not been touched, this reward is non-partisan; it will be paid for the conviction of those destroying political signs — regardless of party.
Four times in my life I have taken an oath to protect and defend the U.S. Constitution. One of the most important Constitutional rights we American citizens have is the right to free expression. It is sad that there are those in the Flathead who believe that some of us should be denied that right.
Mark Holston, Democratic Candidate
State Senate District 3
Kalispell
Time to turn in your can tabs To the editor,
For anyone collecting can tabs for the Whitefish Moose Lodge, it's time to turn them in. Drop them off at the Whitefish Moose Lodge or St. Charles Catholic Church, or call 862-2669 and we will arrange to pick them up. In Columbia Falls, drop them off at the Pizza Hut or Kelly's Pub & Casino, or call 892-3557.
We need to get them to the 4 Leaf Clovers 4-H Club in Conrad the first week of November. They add their collection and take them to the Ronald McDonald House in Billings when they take their cattle to market. Last year we turned in 507 pounds or 730,080 tabs. Their goal this year is one million tabs. Ronald McDonald House furnishes housing for out-of-town families who have children in the hospital.
Richard Denning
Columbia Falls Zinke takes words out of context
To the editor,
With the campaign winding down, Ryan Zinke has revealed himself to be the typical politician he has become. Only a politician trying to get elected any way he can will take another person's words out of context and attempt to use them to his advantage.
What I said was, "Brittany's opponent talks about fighting in Helena if elected. Given the last session, considered among the most contentious and partisan in Montana's history, we don't need a senator who considers fighting and confrontation to be an asset. We need someone like Brittany MacLean who will work to find common ground to get important things done for all of us, regardless of political party. Brittany knows how to work with others and bring people together for the common good." Funny how Mr. Zinke turned that quote into, "I would like to thank Mr. Gil Jordan for his recent letter suggesting that I will go to Helena and fight."
This isn't the first time Mr. Zinke has played fast and loose with the facts to further his campaign. Before the June primary election, I was surprised to see the following quote in the Whitefish Pilot: "Zinke says he offered Jordan use of his hammer when the two ran into each other while putting up political signs in Columbia Heights." Why surprised? Because it never happened! Zinke did stop to say hello while I was putting up signs, but he never offered a hammer. Where did that quote come from? Made up out of whole cloth to make him look good? There's a politician for you.
And Zinke claimed he was absolutely going to avoid negative campaigning, yet is now allowing the state Republican Party to deluge voters with negative mailers blasting the Democrats. It appears Mr. Zinke has made the complete transformation from respectable citizen to an "anything goes" politician. That's a shame.
Brittany MacLean has not stooped to such tactics and will do what she says when we elect her as our next State Senator from District 2.
Gil Jordan
Coram
Dupont right for commissioner
To the editor,
Please join me in supporting Jim Dupont for county commissioner. During these tough economic times, we need a true proven leader with the leadership and management skills to keep Flathead County on the right course.
Jim has proven by his long time service as our former sheriff that he is the man with the experience, skills and common sense that is needed as a county commissioner. Through Jim's career he has been supported by Republicans, Democrats and Independents because he understands that in order to be successful we all have to work together. That is why Jim Dupont won his last sheriff election with over 90 percent of the vote.
Through good and bad economic times Jim Dupont has the past proven record showing that he has the leadership and management skills to get the job done in the Commissioners' office. Please join me in supporting Jim Dupont for our next Flathead County Commissioner.
Jean H. Ervin
Columbia Falls Support a new 911 call center
To the editor,
Seconds save lives. I make this statement based on my experiences over the past 15 years as a 911 dispatcher for both large and small agencies. I have worked for Flathead County 911 for the past 4 1/2 years. Time is not a luxury we are afforded as dispatchers. Life and death decisions many times need to be made in seconds. Our current system is outdated and results in delays while callers are transferred to different law enforcement agencies in the county depending on where the emergency is taking place. The caller must then start explaining the nature of the emergency all over again with a new dispatcher. This is not only a frustration but has created a lack of procedural standardization between agencies resulting in different levels of response.
Flathead County is one of the largest counties in Montana and the second fastest growing. We are not a "small" county anymore and have outgrown our current location along with our method of operation. We need to expand our public safety services to provide a more consistent quality of service on a more consistent basis.
The upcoming bond issue asks voters to approve funding for a new dispatch center that would consolidate all law enforcement agencies, as well as fire and ambulance services, into one location. While the $6.9 million funding amount may seem large, it is nothing in comparison to Missoula County 911 which is asking taxpayers for an additional $16 million to add to the $8 million that has already been set aside to fund their new center.
Money is tight right now for all of us and we really need to pick and choose what we spend our tax dollars on very carefully. For the price of a few fancy coffee drinks you may be saving the life of a family member or neighbor. This is an important issue that affects all of us and you may be the next person that needs to call 911.
Michelene Provo
911 Dispatch Supervisor
Flathead County 911
Vote 'yes' on conservation bond To the editor,
As a long-time Flathead County educator, and a grandfather who raised a family in the Flathead Valley, I often think about the future. What kind of legacy are we leaving for our children and generations to come?
Often, it feels like change that comes to our home here in the Flathead Valley is forced upon us from "outside." The mountains that surround us seem to buffer us from the outside world, but we have found they cannot hold back the forces of change.
Fortunately, the voters of Flathead County will soon have an opportunity to take the future into their own hands. Specifically, they will have a chance on Election Day to approve the Land and Water Conservation Bond.
As an earth science instructor, I can assure you that the Flathead Valley is a truly special place. Our glacial soils are very fertile. Our abundant clean water is literally at the top of the charts of any developed country in the world. As a field geologist, I also know that it's much, much easier to keep water clean than to try to clean it up after it is polluted.
Change is sometimes painful, especially when we feel it is forced upon us. But change is a part of life. This valley will continue to grow and develop. People will continue to want to move here to raise their families, just as I came here with my family several decades ago.
All those families deserve to enjoy what we are blessed with: clear rivers and streams, rich farmland, abundant wildlife, and the freedom to enjoy the land.
That is the legacy that the Land and Water Bond will pass on. That's why I heartily support the measure and ask you to do the same.
Lex Blood
Kalispell
Glacier caretaker will be missed To the editor,
As a regular visitor to Glacier National Park, I was saddened at the surprising passing of the winter caretaker Steve Lautenbach. Over the past few years I would make the seven-mile ski into Many Glacier. I would usually see the caretaker, wave and maybe a quick hello. This past March after skiing into the picnic area and setting up camp for the night I discovered I forgot matches! After a quick ski across Swift Current Lake, I knocked on the door of the caretaker's cabin, yards from the great Many Glacier Hotel. Feeling like an idiot, having forgotten one of the most important backcountry supplies, I asked for a book of matches. He gave me one, I offered him a few bucks but he declined. I thanked him and told him if I see you this summer I'll buy you a beer or pop. I returned back to camp for a warm dinner.
The next day on my way out I stopped to take some photos of the hotel. The caretaker was shoveling the area around his car. The car was surrounded with banks of snow 10 feet high, but the car was completely free of snow all the way around it.
We talked for a while. I asked him about spending all winter in that little cabin by yourself. He said he loved it.
I told him his job was either the best job or the worst job, depending on how you look at it.
He talked about the sheep that hang around and a mountain lion that he sees. He grabbed his field glasses to try to find the lion.
I realized his love for Many Glacier Valley. The things he must have seen from that little cabin, you could only dream of. As I was leaving he was planning to have a cook-out that day (middle of March). It was a beautiful day in more ways than one.
I returned back to Many Glacier last month, on the way out I was thinking when I return in March I would like to bring the caretaker some fresh fruit. He told me he would ski out on Saturday to pick up fruits and veggies. I thought it would be a nice way to repay a big favor.
While we were staying at Many Glacier Hotel I learned Steve passed away two days before.
I did not know Steve very long, but I will never look at that caretaker's cabin the same way again. He will truly be missed by all.
Dann Pilipow
Portage, Ind.
Supporting Grimes for auditor
To the editor,
I'm excited about being able to vote for Duane Grimes for State Auditor. During this campaign, I've watched Duane and his opponent at various venues, both together, and separate and have concluded Duane's ethics, integrity, knowledge, and initiative make him the BEST choice. The state auditor's office, an often overlooked entity, is important to my family and me.
Duane's record as a businessman and a legislator shows his understanding of issues that affect the everyday lives of Montanans. Proper leadership on the State Land Board will help to adequately fund our schools and in turn, help provide property tax relief. Proper leadership in regulating insurance and securities will help lower insurance costs, improve services, provide more opportunities and combat fraud and abuse. Duane Grimes will provide that Leadership.
Please join me in voting for Duane Grimes this general election.
Mark Roedel
Kalispell
Thanks for help fixing vehicle
To the editor,
Thank you to all who were involved in making Le Grizz (Ultramarathon) such a great experience. Beautiful scenery, friendly volunteers and great organization!
I had driven down from Calgary the night before. After the race, my car had some mechanical problems. I had it towed into Columbia Falls and anticipated a few days wait as I assumed garages would be closed for Sunday and possibly the holiday Monday. However, I was surprised and very touched by the kindness of a Columbia Falls local and his friend who, so kindly, gave up much of their Sunday to look at and fix my car! I was on the road again Sunday afternoon.
I've always loved the beautiful scenery in this area, but the generosity of spirit of those who live here is even more impressive. Thank you, Mike Sands and David Lamb. Your kindness is appreciated!
Sue Gallup
Calgary, Alberta