LETTER: Holmquist puts principle first

Under George Washington’s presidency, Vice President John Adams watched in dismay the beginnings of the formation of political parties. Adams considered what he called the “poison of party” to be the greatest threat to the newly formed republic.

Given the present decayed state of that republic and the role played by both major political parties and their representatives in getting us here, does anyone seriously believe that Adams’ concerns were unjustified?

Perhaps this is why it is so refreshing when someone comes along in public office that actually places integrity, honesty and a healthy dose of common sense above party and party politics.

In Flathead County we are fortunate to have such an individual in County Commissioner Pam Holmquist. Like most candidates from both political parties running for public office in the county, Pam first ran for the commission proclaiming a strong commitment to protect private property rights. Unlike most, once elected, Pam followed through on that commitment.

At Pam’s insistence, through her groundbreaking property owners Bill of Rights, now part of the county’s Growth Policy, Flathead County is the first county in Montana to incorporate meaningful protection for property owners in its land use regulations!

Pam Holmquist fought hard to successfully support county property owners near Whitefish in their struggle for their right to representation against the heavy hand of liberal Whitefish politicians and their overzealous bureaucrats.

And, on behalf of county taxpayers, Pam has consistently been the voice of fiscal responsibility, even at times when it didn’t make her the most popular person to the loud special interests in the room.

Please vote for Pam Holmquist in the Republican primary for county commissioner.

—Russell Crowder, Marion