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Brodehl has experience to be commissioner

I had the honor of serving in the Montana Legislature with Randy Brodehl. He served four terms in the House of Representatives representing the Evergreen and Northeast Kalispell area.

Randy was a four-term member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee that deals with the state’s budget. Fiscal responsibility was always a priority for him. He held department directors accountable for budget requests and didn’t just give them a blank check.

I observed his positive treatment of others and how he received respect from legislators on both sides of the aisle; even though they didn’t always agree with him; and he was always respectful of other’s point of view. He sponsored bills that would save taxpayers money as well as bills that protected our constitutional rights. I am confident that Randy would bring those same fiscally responsible values to the Flathead County budget as well as protecting constitutional rights of Flathead citizens.

I can’t remember a day when Randy was not at the Capitol doing his job. He would do the same with being a commissioner. He would be a full-time commissioner; not off farming or doing a side job instead of tending to county business. Randy Brodehl would be an asset to Flathead County. Join me in voting Brodehl for commissioner in the June primary election. —Keith Regier, Kalispell Republican, Senate District 3

A tribute to the Polson Pirates tennis team

On behalf of the Columbia Falls High School tennis team, I want to congratulate the Polson Pirates on their success at the recent Northwest “A” Divisional Tennis Tournament. Though you played with heavy hearts after the sudden tragic death of a friend and classmate, your determination, sportsmanship and pride were a shining tribute that will help your school and the Polson community find strength during a difficult time. Good luck at State. —Gene Marcille, Columbia Falls High School tennis coach

Cal Beringer for sheriff

Calvin Beringer has over 30 years of experience in law enforcement and military service. As a King County sheriff’s deputy working in Western Washington he managed teams in patrol, criminal investigations, narcotics, gang investigations, community policing, training and organizational development. He also had the opportunity to supervise the policing services on Vashon Island and its 10,000 residents.

As a Flathead County sheriff’s deputy, Calvin served as a corrections officer, civil deputy, resident deputy in the canyon, patrol deputy and three years as patrol commander. He further served as the interim director of the Office of Emergency Services and the 911 center.

Calvin’s army background was as a military police officer, where he protected the lives and property on Army installations by enforcing military laws and regulations. He also controlled traffic, prevented crime and responded to all emergencies.

Calvin has provided security services at venues in Western Washington, including the Tacoma Dome and White River Amphitheatre. He has also been involved in private investigations across the nation leading teams of investigators. Throughout his career he has also found time to serve the community in various volunteer organizations addressing social and community related issues.

To lead the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office during a time the county is experiencing rapid and increasing growth requires a leader with excellent law enforcement knowledge and skills combined with business acumen. To direct the Sheriff’s Office following a change in leadership requires an individual sensitive to the needs of the office and the people who work within it who also possesses excellent personal relationship skills.

I have met with Calvin on multiple occasions and attended candidate forums where he has spoken. I truly believe that he has the knowledge and breadth of experience to lead the Sheriff’s Office.

Please vote for Calvin Beringer for sheriff. —Ted Valentiner, Whitefish

Jordan White for sheriff

This has been an interesting political season as I have watched the different debates and learning about the candidates. I must say that the sheriff’s debates have been informative and pleasantly respectful without name calling, which other politicians can learn from.

As far as the sheriff candidates, they all seem to be fine gentlemen that care about the department. They have some big shoes to fill but my choice with out hesitation is Jordan White. I know that the department supports their guy on the job partly I think because they work for him and feel an obligation to support that candidate, but maybe not the best qualified for leadership at this level.

I think character is an issue for any public servant position. I am not saying the other men don’t have character I am just saying that Jordan White is far and above a man of integrity, intelligence and stellar character. His life history from childhood is what builds a deep and mature skillset including leading others and making decisions not based on ego or what others want but what’s the best for the whole. These type of men are hard to find and I might even say rare in this day and age. Building a house from scratch and learning how from the Amish at the age of 14, then building a log cabin with his father at age 15 teaches not only common sense but an ability to navigate through complex calculations. Common sense is the main character issue I am most impressed with plus his commitment to work with our community to bring many voices to complex decisions, realizing it’s not all about him but again what’s better for the whole. You just don’t find that in many men seeking high office.

In closing I just have to say I trust this man to be the leading enforcement officer in Flathead County. He will bring people (community) together and will work to solve difficult issues getting input from our community and will work well with the commissioners and other law enforcement people in our beautiful valley.

Good luck and God bless you, Jordan White — you’ve got my vote. —Gary Hall, Columbia Falls, former Flathead County commissioner

Guided by those we lost

Regarding the loss of the Polson high school senior:

Many years ago in a place far away a high school senior, Cory Beckman, befriended me. At the time I was a freshman who didn’t even attend school in the same building with Cory but he always smiled and waved at me when he saw me around town and at varsity games and he even called me by name. This went on for about nine months until Cory slammed into the rear of a slow-moving semi-truck loaded with oil-well casing and was beheaded just before graduation.

Over the years I faced many challenges and the memory of Cory always seemed to help me. While breaking up with my first true love, pondering dropping out of college, going through a bitter divorce, and other stressful events my thoughts would turn to Cory. I didn’t know if he had the chance to experience true love but I knew he never had the opportunity to attend post-secondary schooling, be married, have wonderful children, or ponder vocational choices. At these lowest points of my life remembering Cory and that he never got to experience all the things that I had accomplished and was feeling seemed to help relieve my stress.

My only regret is that I never sought out his parents (whom I had never met) to explain that their son did not die in vain because his spirit seemed to be like a Guardian Angel for me in that his presence was always there with me during the most troubling events of my lifetime. —Norm Johnson, Polson