Letters to the Editor

Vote Dupont

I would like to take this opportunity to express my support for my friend Jim Dupont for Flathead County Commissioner. Anyone who knows Jim, knows that he is exactly what we need in the Commissioner's office today to provide the management and leadership skills that are sorely needed at this time.

Jim understands that we need to use our tax dollars in a careful way. Jim is honest with the public and tells us that we can not afford to pave all the county roads at this time. That is why Jim is in favor of a "Comprehensive Road Management" plan for Flathead County. Jim's plan requires evaluating all of the county roads in Flathead County based on traffic, road condition, dust problems and other criteria. Jim is in favor of letting the public be involved in preparing the evaluation criteria.

After the evaluation, the roads would be prioritized on a point system, with the most critical roads receiving improvements first. Flathead County roads problems would be addressed with an arsenal of possible solutions such as one of the various methods of dust abatement, chip sealing, paving and requiring gravel to meet specifications that reduce dust as much as possible.

Jim Dupont has shown me that he will be a true leader when it comes to solving the problems that face Flathead County. Jim's common sense approach and tremendous leadership and management skills are exactly what is needed to get the job done in the Commissioner's office. Jim will listen to anyone and if a good idea comes up he does not care who gets the credit as long as we work together to solve the problem.

I urge you to join me in my support for Jim Dupont for Flathead County Commissioner.

Ardis Larsen

Lakeside

Vote Qunell

I am writing to express how strongly I feel about voting for Steve Qunell for County Commissioner. Quite simply, I feel that a vote for Jim Dupont is a huge mistake as he clearly does not have the needs of all Flathead County residents at heart. I have lived here for 18 years - which is not my lifetime, but it is the longest I have lived anywhere in my life. I truly love this area and am saddened when I see narrow mindedness with regard to the rights of all property owners. I feel that there has already been too much unplanned growth and though there are those who feel that we need to be less regulated, we need to realize that to act in such a way is irresponsible and makes us poor stewards of the land and of our neighbors. This is not a partisan issue - it is, quite simply, a citizenship issue.

I consider myself politically independent and carefully look at all issues and individuals before I cast my vote.

I will vote for Steve Qunell.

Miriam Lewis

Vote Blackler

I'm going to vote for Edd Blackler for House District 9.

This third generation Montanan doesn't just talk the talk, he walks the walk. You will find him actively involved wherever there is community effort to protect the beauty, health, and viability of our district while preserving traditional Montana values of neighborliness, hard work, and practical solutions.

I've seen him at many different meetings, working on topics that concern us all - issues like maintaining the health of our water, developing affordable housing, supporting economically sustainable growth, dealing with the truck traffic on highway 35, addressing the problems of dumping septic waste on open land, or helping to assess the value of unique school trust lands.

Edd keeps himself well-informed on options for expanding public transportation, enhancing educational opportunities for our children, dealing with recent economic trends, and conserving Montana's special lands.

While helping to solve the problems of our district he always keeps in mind the best use of taxpayer's money, as well as the preservation of our liberty, and the safety of our lives and property.

Edd has always been interested in how government works ever since he was in high school and was selected to attend Montana Boys' State. He listens to all sides of an issue, the pros and cons, before making his measured, intelligent and original response. I've witnessed meetings where it's Edd who finally comes up with the right solution that works for everyone.

Edd truly is a man of the West. Honorable, solid, thoughtful, caring. A 30-year resident of the Flathead, he knows this valley well. His heart is here, and his intelligent and thoughtful approach to its struggles are exactly what we need in this time of change and uncertainty.

Sally Janover

Bigfork

Oil's not bad

There have been numerous political flyers and ads condemning the petroleum industry in recent weeks. As director of the Montana Petroleum Association, I do not feel that message serves the people of Montana. The petroleum industry provides over 12,000 jobs in Montana alone. Jobs that pay a good living wage. State and local revenue funds received over $1.2 billion dollars in production tax alone since 1999. Oil and gas taxes are now the third largest revenue source to fund government services in Montana.

Political messages that condemn this industry fail to address any type of practical option. Instead they serve to incite anger over high prices in an economic environment where we are all worried about our future. Gasoline prices have receded over 30 percent, and crude oil nearly 50 percent since last summer. Oil and natural gas will continue to play a key role in in serving our energy needs, and our members will continue to spend billions of dollars to develop tomorrow's energy sources and provide needed jobs in Montana.

Oil and gas development is vital to Montana and to our quality of life. We ask the voters to give serious thought to our energy needs and the positive impacts of oil and gas development in Montana.

David A. Galt,

Executive Director

Montana Petroleum Assoc.

Clear and present danger

John McCain is not a staunch conservative, and this causes inner-conflict for many of us. Though he has conservative leanings, he has blended some critical policies with that of liberals. From what I can gather from reading his books about heroes, his sometimes annoying capacity for blending ideas may come from his broad exposure to impressive people of all creeds, political affiliations, nationalities, and socioeconomic classes. He has an ingrained, abiding respect for thoughtful people with opinions different from his.

Our president should serve country above party affiliation, and John McCain and Sarah Palin have shown themselves capable of working with individuals having other viewpoints, sometimes disagreeing with their own party line. In contrast, Obama in the executive branch will mean we have a liberal Supreme Court, ultra liberal Democrat president, and Democrat dominant Congress (ie, no separation of powers). McCain and Palin have solid records as reformers, and our economic crisis is in large part due to government corruption. If the Federal Housing Regulatory Reform Act, cosponsored by McCain in 2005, hadn't been defeated by Democrats, our economy wouldn't be as deep in crisis. McCain and Palin have been anti-corruption champions of accountability in government. McCain was found innocent in the Keating 5 scandal.

Obama's corruption is well-documented, and he has the most pro-abortion record of any senator. McCain and Palin are boldly prolife and would select conservative judges to the Supreme Court (2-4 judges to be selected by our next president). They deeply love their country. Anyone who sees the clear and present danger of an Obama administration knows the stakes are too high to sit out this extraordinarily important election. Don't vote, or vote libertarian/constitutional in this presidential election, and you promote the destruction of our great Republic.

Ann Bukacek

Kalispell

The Six Mill levy-A Nexus

The Commissioner of Higher Education is the CEO of Montana's University System (MUS).

Dr. Sheila Stearns, accepted this post September 1, 2003, at a salary $144,500, plus a $500 per month housing allowance and a car allowance. Her salary in 2008 was $220,000, plus allowances.

One problem she inherited was the transfer of academic credits between the 14 MUS Units across the state. Five years later the MUS still has acceptance problems of academic credits between MUS units. Five years under the MUS CEO's leadership has not achieved a seamless transfer of academic credits between University Units. Students' classes are paid for and completed and then they find their credits may not be accepted across the MUS.

The One Time Only (OTO) requests by Dr. Stearns' 2009 Budget include a $1.5 million addition to resolve the problem of transferring academic credits. The $1.5 million will be used to "Improve the transferability and student data". Improve? Why not resolve? The Regent's insisting on end results and improving oversight of MUS-CEO's expenditures is needed. The OTO funds requested by Dr. Stearns for 2009 total $5,915,000. The total of the State's OTO Funds for 2009 is about 500,000,000. rounded out at $2, $5, $15 and $25 million amounts.

The six mill value is eclipsed by these OTO requests. The MUS has not demonstrated the sensible economic realities that every household in Montana is facing. The 6 Mill Levy vote could send a message to the MUS and the Regents.

Sotero Muniz

Polson