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Red Ribbons are a way to let kids know about how to live healthy lives

All across the Flathead Valley students will be receiving Red Ribbons to commemorate and celebrate Red Ribbon Week — the national drug awareness campaign.

This is a great opportunity to tell the young people in our lives why they are special to us and that we want them to lead happy and healthy lives — lives that are free of illegal and unsafe drug, alcohol and tobacco use.

Kids in the Flathead Valley are exposed to drugs and alcohol at a very young age. Kids begin drinking and trying drugs before they are even teens. Some try smoking as young as 8. So, it is very important that we talk about the dangers of substance use with our young children and continue talking with them into their young adulthood.

Thanks go to the many local businesses and individuals that have chosen to support the youth in the Flathead Valley through their participation in Red Ribbon Week.

Flathead CARE is proud to have promoted this campaign for more than 30 years and we recognize that this work — helping youth make good decisions through prevention education, empowerment, mentoring, role modeling, enforcement and early intervention — is never done. Red Ribbon Week takes place Oct. 23-28. Please join us in battling substance abuse with our youth! —Kari S. Gabriel, Kalispell, executive director, Flathead CARE

Don’t let scenic views go to waste

This weekend we had the privilege of enjoying Glacier Park’s incredible fall display and snowy mountain tops on a trip up the North Fork Valley. We were rewarded with an enjoyable outing all the way to Kintla and Bowman lakes and various stops and short hikes along the way.

Probably some of the most scenic and dramatic views in this area are in the first few miles of the North Fork Road north from the Glacier Park’s Camas Creek intersection. The trouble was we could barely see it. Even at wide spots and small turnouts, the view was obstructed by the wall of green created by intense fire regrowth along this stretch of road.

It seems this situation could easily be addressed in the short term, by using the large mechanical brush mowers seen working along vegetated roads all the time. I don’t know exactly who would be in charge but, as a broader and more intense solution, perhaps the Park Service, Forest Service, county and state could work together to make additional formal turnouts with thinning along the whole route. It is an incredible asset that seems wasted, to some degree.

Please, don’t let this one negative note deter anyone from going to see all the grandeur this area has to offer, but if you have any influence please contact the appropriate entities. —Rodney Haynes, Dayton

Kyle Waterman for City Council

As a grandmother of eight, I love to see young people who want to serve the community. Kyle Waterman is one of those people. He is running for Kalispell’s Ward 3 City Council seat and he is passionate about living in Kalispell.

I’ve known Kyle since he was in third grade with my daughter in Helena. His leadership was apparent from a young age when he ran for student council in seventh grade and got a job at the local Humane Society.

Serving the community comes naturally to Kyle. He grew up in a family that valued public service and volunteering. His mother, Mignon Waterman, served as a Montana senator for 12 years and had a lifelong commitment to addressing the needs of Montanans. His father works as an attorney involved in many civic causes from gender equity in our schools to public defender reform.

Kyle worked hard to move back to Montana. He brings executive experience in organizing philanthropic support for museums, preservation and children’s services. He’s a people person who listens and is eager to work toward practical solutions. I urge the citizens of Ward 3 to vote for Kyle and make our beautiful city an even better place to live. —Maddy Etter, Kalispell

Karlene Kohr for Ward 3 council

The residents of Ward 3 in Kalispell have a very important decision to make in this upcoming election. There are three individuals running for the Ward 3 City Council position.

Jim Atkinson has held this seat for 29 years. I believe he has become complacent, and is taking the responsibility of serving the citizens of Ward 3 for granted. As I view the City Council meetings, it appears to me Jim Atkinson is not reading and studying his City Council packet before the meetings. It is the responsibility of each City Council member to have studied their packet BEFORE the meetings, and not try to catch up while the meetings are going on. That is NOT serving the citizens of Ward 3.

Kyle Waterman is new to Kalispell, and does not have the experience of knowing the history of Kalispell city issues. He has never served on any city board. It is extremely important to have a good understanding of how the city of Kalispell works, and what the important issues are.

Karlene Kohr has lived in Ward 3 almost her entire life. She is well grounded in all matters facing the city. Karlene served as president of the Soroptimists. She served as a member of the Saint Matthew’s school board. Karlene was the chairman of the Save Central School Committee. Karlene was appointed by two mayors to serve on city boards: the Kalispell City Planning Board and the Kalispell Impact Committee. Karlene does her homework and has a clear understanding of city issues. Her experience, concern for all, and commitment will serve her well.

I believe that Karlene Kohr will represent Ward 3 on Kalispell’s City Council with knowledge and a willingness to listen to all sides on each and every issue that comes before the City Council. —Christina Granrud, Kalispell

Support Hileman for city judge

We have known William Hileman on a personal and professional basis since his Whitefish arrival in 1977. He is a person of knowledge and integrity, and along with his wonderful family, has a strong history of community commitment and involvement. He has pledged his time and efforts to fulfill ALL the obligations and duties of the city judgeship office, and his legal background will serve him and the citizens of Whitefish well in getting the job done.

Please join us in support of Bill Hileman as our next Whitefish city judge. —Roland and Jo Newton, Whitefish