Kala French supported by FVCC senate

Flathead Valley Community College's student newspaper The Mercury News printed an extra edition Wednesday noting the student senate's support for student Regent Kala French of Kalispell.

French's confirmation as a regent faces opposition by the student government at the University of Montana. A controversy erupted over her work as a lobbyist for the Montana Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association.

The action was detailed in an article by Bill Hartman in the Feb. 9 extra edition.

According to the article, student senator Richard Gross Jr. wrote a letter on behalf of the group to State Sen. Carolyn Squires, D-Missoula. She is chairwoman of the State Administration Committee that conducts confirmation proceedings today for French.

The committee is scheduled to interview French, a Montana State University student, before deciding whether to confirm her appointment to the state Board of Regents.

Gross noted French's personal knowledge of two-year education gained during two summers studying at Flathead Valley Community College.

"Miss French has proven her interest in higher education and her commitment to community college student issues," Gross wrote.

The student senate voted 7-1 in favor of French's confirmation.

An editorial supporting French said the student regent faces defending herself as a student regent and a Republican. Writer Leanne Danielson pointed out the organization which uses French as a lobbyist represents convenience stores, not big oil.

The editorial urges students to get in touch with Gov. Brian Schweitzer by phone at (406) 444-3111 or by e-mail at governor@mt.gov