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My “Coffee with Caroline” event was a blast! This happened on the morning of May 10. I had asked for this meeting because of some things I’d read and my sincere interest in this great place we live.

This was my first time meeting Caroline McDonald who filed to run for Lake County commissioner. As a community leader, she has an impressive “20+ years of experience working with a variety of public and private organizations to help them realize their project goals.”

Our nearly two-hour discussion was wide-ranging and important to me and I gained a real sense of Caroline’s professionalism. She’s had a very impressive five years on the Polson School Board, nearly four years as board chair. She talked about her strong belief that “any challenge any problem can be solved through listening, collaboration, and mutual respect.” These qualities are high on my list for this county position, for sure.

We talked about this valley, the organizations and the people living here. She said, “We have so many fine, capable people living here. Let’s build upon the resources we have right here within our own communities.” My clear sense is that she not only has the vision but the abilities to direct and carry out the valuable programs and necessary group facilitations. She expressed a strong interest in seeing our local communities and the Mission Valley grow economically, with an improved business environment, gaining in stability, and all things good for our youth and their educational opportunities.

She makes a clear distinction between politics and governance. Politics often seriously divides people, while good governance brings people together. And we need this “bringing people together” in such areas as education, affordable housing, health care, and social services.

I am so pleased we have Caroline McDonald running for Lake County commissioner. This definitely bodes well for Mission Valley, in my opinion.

As Caroline promotes: “Building Bridges. Building our Future.” —Bob McClellan, Polson

Vote for Dunn in HD9

I would like to encourage you to consider David Dunn for House District 9. As a born-again Christian, he is kind, caring, and honest to a fault. He has dedicated himself to protecting life and liberty. Unlike his opponent, he is 100 percent pro-life; he believes that life begins at the moment of conception. He is also 100 percent pro-Second Amendment; he believes in our right to keep and bear arms, no exceptions. If he puts as much diligence and dedication into the House as he has in his burgeoning organic farm, it will be nothing but a bounty for the people. —Marissa Grigonis, Kalispell

Phil Mitchell must immediately resign

When Phil Mitchell was sworn in as a commissioner for Flathead County he took an oath to uphold the Constitution of the state of Montana and our local laws. He has broken that oath by deliberately destroying county-owned property, to which he has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor criminal mischief, even though he was originally charged with a felony. He has broken his bond with the people who elected him and can no longer be trusted to act in a manner that best represents the people of Flathead County.

After Mr. Mitchell pleaded guilty, he issued a statement which said he “broke a park rule.” He went on to attack Sheriff Chuck Curry by saying that this was a “political prosecution.” It is bad enough that Mitchell chose to deliberately destroy county property, but it is shameful that he will not accept responsibility for his unlawful actions and has decided to assail a dedicated public servant like Chuck Curry. I would like to commend Sheriff Curry and his staff for diligently investigating and prosecuting this crime under very difficult circumstances. During the entire investigation the Sheriff’s Office performed in an admirable and professional manner; the citizens of Flathead County should be proud of the people in this office.

I am also calling for Commissioners Gary Krueger and Pam Holmquist to censure Mr. Mitchell for his actions. For them to remain quiet on this will only show the people of Flathead County that they find Mitchell’s deliberate destruction of public property to be acceptable behavior in an elected official.

As the $16,000 payment for restitution is not nearly enough to cover the damage Phil Mitchell has caused to county property, I am calling for commissioner candidate Randy Brodehl to donate the $360 that Phil and Belinda Mitchell have given to his campaign to the county Parks Department to help mitigate the damage. In doing so he will show the people of Flathead County that he finds Mitchell’s actions unacceptable.

As a fourth-generation Montanan I raised my kids with Montana values. Part of this is that you accept responsibility for your actions, you own up to it, you do not downplay your misjudgment and you accept your punishment without excuse. Mr. Mitchell is not living up to our values and in doing so has shown a total disregard for the law and the people of Flathead County.

Phil Mitchell must resign immediately. —Tom Clark, West Valley Democrat, candidate for Flathead County commissioner in District 3

Rosendale for Senate

During my tenure at the Montana Legislature I have found Matt Rosendale to be one of the most honest and fiscally disciplined legislators working for Montana. Matt Rosendale will follow through on his campaign promises.

With a national debt that is currently sitting at $21 trillion, it is critical that we have Matt Rosendale representing Montanans in Washington, D.C. With his current role as the state auditor, he already cut 23 percent from his operating costs and refused a pay raise. Talk about leadership! Actions speak louder than words, and Matt Rosendale has proven time and time again that he will act on behalf of Montanans when they elect him to bring fiscal discipline to the federal government. Matt has already won a statewide election and will win again.

For these reasons I am supporting Matt Rosendale for U.S. Senate. Matt means business, and I’m ready for a senator who does what he says he is going to do. —Greg Hertz, Polson

Russ Fagg’s suspicious attacks on Republicans

So far, the only thing we’ve seen and heard from Russ Fagg is attacks on other Republicans. Well, that and his ridiculous notion that people not born in Montana are apparently unfit to hold public office in Montana. I guess he thinks Jon Tester’s birthplace makes Tester a great candidate.

If you didn’t know, Mr. Fagg is a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate … We think.

What Montana Republicans are wondering is how Mr. Fagg would beat Jon Tester, in the unlikely event he actually wins a Republican primary. Perhaps Mr. Fagg will begin to share with us how he would defeat Jon Tester and distinguish how he differs from Tester. That is what we’re really interested in hearing. Until he does that, he doesn’t deserve a vote. Because so far, he sounds just like Jon Tester. —Gene Dziza, Bigfork

Support for McDonald in Lake County race

My “Coffee with Caroline” event was a blast! This happened on the morning of May 10. I had asked for this meeting because of some things I’d read and my sincere interest in this great place we live.

This was my first time meeting Caroline McDonald who filed to run for Lake County commissioner. As a community leader, she has an impressive “20+ years of experience working with a variety of public and private organizations to help them realize their project goals.”

Our nearly two-hour discussion was wide-ranging and important to me and I gained a real sense of Caroline’s professionalism. She’s had a very impressive five years on the Polson School Board, nearly four years as board chair. She talked about her strong belief that “any challenge any problem can be solved through listening, collaboration, and mutual respect.” These qualities are high on my list for this county position, for sure.

We talked about this valley, the organizations and the people living here. She said, “We have so many fine, capable people living here. Let’s build upon the resources we have right here within our own communities.” My clear sense is that she not only has the vision but the abilities to direct and carry out the valuable programs and necessary group facilitations. She expressed a strong interest in seeing our local communities and the Mission Valley grow economically, with an improved business environment, gaining in stability, and all things good for our youth and their educational opportunities.

She makes a clear distinction between politics and governance. Politics often seriously divides people, while good governance brings people together. And we need this “bringing people together” in such areas as education, affordable housing, health care, and social services.

I am so pleased we have Caroline McDonald running for Lake County commissioner. This definitely bodes well for Mission Valley, in my opinion.

As Caroline promotes: “Building Bridges. Building our Future.” —Bob McClellan, Polson

Vote for Dunn in HD9

I would like to encourage you to consider David Dunn for House District 9. As a born-again Christian, he is kind, caring, and honest to a fault. He has dedicated himself to protecting life and liberty. Unlike his opponent, he is 100 percent pro-life; he believes that life begins at the moment of conception. He is also 100 percent pro-Second Amendment; he believes in our right to keep and bear arms, no exceptions. If he puts as much diligence and dedication into the House as he has in his burgeoning organic farm, it will be nothing but a bounty for the people. —Marissa Grigonis, Kalispell

Phil Mitchell must immediately resign

When Phil Mitchell was sworn in as a commissioner for Flathead County he took an oath to uphold the Constitution of the state of Montana and our local laws. He has broken that oath by deliberately destroying county-owned property, to which he has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor criminal mischief, even though he was originally charged with a felony. He has broken his bond with the people who elected him and can no longer be trusted to act in a manner that best represents the people of Flathead County.

After Mr. Mitchell pleaded guilty, he issued a statement which said he “broke a park rule.” He went on to attack Sheriff Chuck Curry by saying that this was a “political prosecution.” It is bad enough that Mitchell chose to deliberately destroy county property, but it is shameful that he will not accept responsibility for his unlawful actions and has decided to assail a dedicated public servant like Chuck Curry. I would like to commend Sheriff Curry and his staff for diligently investigating and prosecuting this crime under very difficult circumstances. During the entire investigation the Sheriff’s Office performed in an admirable and professional manner; the citizens of Flathead County should be proud of the people in this office.

I am also calling for Commissioners Gary Krueger and Pam Holmquist to censure Mr. Mitchell for his actions. For them to remain quiet on this will only show the people of Flathead County that they find Mitchell’s deliberate destruction of public property to be acceptable behavior in an elected official.

As the $16,000 payment for restitution is not nearly enough to cover the damage Phil Mitchell has caused to county property, I am calling for commissioner candidate Randy Brodehl to donate the $360 that Phil and Belinda Mitchell have given to his campaign to the county Parks Department to help mitigate the damage. In doing so he will show the people of Flathead County that he finds Mitchell’s actions unacceptable.

As a fourth-generation Montanan I raised my kids with Montana values. Part of this is that you accept responsibility for your actions, you own up to it, you do not downplay your misjudgment and you accept your punishment without excuse. Mr. Mitchell is not living up to our values and in doing so has shown a total disregard for the law and the people of Flathead County.

Phil Mitchell must resign immediately. —Tom Clark, West Valley Democrat, candidate for Flathead County commissioner in District 3

Rosendale for Senate

During my tenure at the Montana Legislature I have found Matt Rosendale to be one of the most honest and fiscally disciplined legislators working for Montana. Matt Rosendale will follow through on his campaign promises.

With a national debt that is currently sitting at $21 trillion, it is critical that we have Matt Rosendale representing Montanans in Washington, D.C. With his current role as the state auditor, he already cut 23 percent from his operating costs and refused a pay raise. Talk about leadership! Actions speak louder than words, and Matt Rosendale has proven time and time again that he will act on behalf of Montanans when they elect him to bring fiscal discipline to the federal government. Matt has already won a statewide election and will win again.

For these reasons I am supporting Matt Rosendale for U.S. Senate. Matt means business, and I’m ready for a senator who does what he says he is going to do. —Greg Hertz, Polson

Russ Fagg’s suspicious attacks on Republicans

So far, the only thing we’ve seen and heard from Russ Fagg is attacks on other Republicans. Well, that and his ridiculous notion that people not born in Montana are apparently unfit to hold public office in Montana. I guess he thinks Jon Tester’s birthplace makes Tester a great candidate.

If you didn’t know, Mr. Fagg is a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate … We think.

What Montana Republicans are wondering is how Mr. Fagg would beat Jon Tester, in the unlikely event he actually wins a Republican primary. Perhaps Mr. Fagg will begin to share with us how he would defeat Jon Tester and distinguish how he differs from Tester. That is what we’re really interested in hearing. Until he does that, he doesn’t deserve a vote. Because so far, he sounds just like Jon Tester. —Gene Dziza, Bigfork