Blasdel challenges Olson in state House contest

The Daily Inter Lake

The race for the Republican nomination for District 10 offers voters a distinction between incumbent Bernie Olson and challenger Mark Blasdel.

The winner of the June 6 primary election faces Democrat Carla Augustad in the November general election. Democrat Steve Davidson also is on the ballot but has withdrawn from the race.

Olson underscored education as a top priority as well as placing constituents first regardless of party positions. Blasdel cites promoting family values, cutting back government spending and protecting property rights as pressing issues.

A veteran of two legislative terms, Olson said he found advocating for individual constituents rewarding. A former high school teacher, he describes himself as a strong advocate of public education.

"I believe education is the key to the economic success of our children and grandchildren," he said. "An educated work force is essential in our high-tech society."

He said education holds the solution to many of society's ills, including drug abuse, criminal activity and intolerance.

"When people lack the tools to improve their lives, then social values break down and are replaced by anti-social behavior," he said.

Olson said upgrading people's ability to improve their lives will reduce violence against women and children as well as crimes against property.

He placed finding a solution for funding K-12 education and the university system as top issues to address in the 2007 legislative session.

He listed other important issues as:

-Dealing with expected cutbacks in federal dollars for health care and social programs which impact the most needy such as low-income elderly, children and veterans.

-Problems with state pension systems.

-Increased demands on the corrections system from drug-related crime, especially methamphetamine.

-Finding a solution for the rapid increase in property taxes in Western Montana.

Olson said that he represents the interest of constituents first, regardless of political party positions. He pledged to continue to do so if re-elected.

Blasdel said he challenged Olson because "he consistently voted with the Democrats on social issues." He said only one other Republican received a lower score from the Family Values Coalition.

According to Blasdel, Olson voted with the Democrats in the special session to deny Republican amendments for a tax rebate that would have paid the total cost of adjudication water fees.

"As a businessman in Somers, I and my family fully understand the burden created by the onerous business equipment tax," he said.

Blasdel, who operates the Vista Linda Restaurant in Somers, said his first priority is the elimination of that "regressive tax" which prevents Flathead Valley businesses, farmers and ranchers from competing in the marketplace.

He said elimination of that tax would create jobs and expand business opportunities with higher salaries.

Blasdel also pledged to join other Republicans in providing property tax relief. He calculates that the state now spends $31,000 per family of four.

"This is an outrageous 18 percent increase over the previous biennium," he said.

Blasdel's other priorities include:

-Reform the "ill-managed and outdated" worker's compensation system.

-Pass legislation protecting individual property from confiscation by cities or counties for a higher use by a business entity.

-Reopen public lands closed to sportsmen by the Democratically controlled Legislature.

-Pass a "stronger version" of Jessica's Law to protect children against sexual predators.

Blasdel asked for the votes of citizens who support family values, lower taxes and preservation of fundamental freedoms.