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| April 10, 2018 4:00 AM

Voting no on school bond

I just don’t think it is right our schools try to maximize their chances of passing their bond issue requests by techniques which suppress debate and minimizes voter participation? For that reason (and others) I will be voting “no” when I cast my ballot in May.

Our schools are “coached” by professionals on ways to maximize their chances of success for the passage of bond issues. They accomplish this by scheduling voting dates which are at odd times and not correlated with usual voting dates in June or November. Secondly, they use mail-in ballots which usually ensure very low voter participation. This year it will be a regular ballot because the schools missed a deadline but voter turnout will be minimal at best. But no matter which method, most “snow birds” are almost certain of being fenced out of the process since this vote is on May 8.

The timing of the election ensures most people are not following the process. Because of this there is no debate on the many profound issues surrounding our world of education today. Collaterally no one scrutinizes the expenses of our schools to determine if more taxes are actually necessary or if existing revenues are being used efficiently. Without any public oversight we invite waste and excesses to occur. Most irritating is the lack of discussion about the gigantic increase in school taxes (43 percent) last year. And now they need more?

No, I don’t agree with these techniques schools are using. I would prefer a method which correlates ballots with usual voting times to insure maximum debate and maximum voter turnout which is only fair. So I am not going to support this bond issue. It’s a matter of timing and fairness and because, as a matter of principle, I am tapped out for under-investigated bond requests. —Mark Agather, Kalispell

The sad state of cultural affairs

Justice? Principles? Values? THAT was then, THIS is now:

Only three brief pieces of prevailing Americana evidence are necessary to summarize the septic state in which we swim ...

—Sanctuary cities.

—An Oscar copped from a linen table littered with martinis ... worthy of a three-year prison sentence juxtaposed with wealthy politicians consuming millions of taxpayer dollars via litigation, who will ultimately avoid ANY jail time.

—And basketball stars mouthing slobbery epithets, who earn 10 times in one year what a competent teacher accrues in a full career.

Why, the trail of tears continues far off into the distant forest. We have no excuse to whine, really. —Gary Vinson, Kalispell

Vote Welzel in House District 7

I would like to write in regard to Robert Welzel’s candidacy for House District 7. Having known Bob for several years I have nothing but the utmost confidence in him as a candidate. Unlike so many in politics that seek elected office primarily to become something or to gain something, Bob’s sincere motivation is to actually do something. This is a man who truly embodies the qualities of a servant leader, and I have not a doubt in my mind that serving the citizens of Montana is his genuine and sole motivation in seeking elected office.

Bob is for responsible and limited government. Having traveled with him to Helena on several occasions where I witnessed his bold and powerful testimony against Medicaid expansion and in defense of the life of the unborn, I can tell you that he is a genuine, godly, and patriotic man who has both the leadership skills and the strength of character necessary to fight for justice and to stand in defense of liberty.

After serving 26 years in the Marine Corps, Bob could have gone anywhere, yet he chose to make his home here in the valley as he deeply loves this community and the great state of Montana. He does not want to see hard working Montanans weighed down with unjust taxes, or for burdensome debt from uncontrolled spending to negatively impact future generations.

Robert Welzel has my wholehearted support. I urge voters in House District 7 to take a step in the right direction and send Bob to Helena. He truly does love Montana. —Bethany Curtis, Kalispell

Repeal and replace leader McConnell

I am a surgeon, so I will be as sharp as my knife. Now is the time to repeal Sen. Mitch McConnell as the Senate majority leader and replace him with a true leader who will fight for America.

The McConnell-Schumer Deal is the straw that breaks America’s back. Senate Majority Manager McConnell did not compromise with the Washington Democrats; he capitulated to them! This confirms the words of Sen. Rand Paul, “...when the Republicans are in power, it seems there is no conservative party.”

In the dark of night, behind closed doors, the Senate elite of both parties sold out our children and their children’s children to Washington’s special interests. For what? Was it to ransom our military from the Democrats who have held our warriors and their families fiscally hostage for almost a decade? If the $400 billion ransom payment is derived from the sacrificing of our children’s future prosperity, it is simply too high of a price to pay.

So I ask you, Senate Majority Manager McConnell, what happened to passing a budget through regular order and transparency in the U.S. Senate? Where are the committee hearings and open floor debate about the budget transmitted to the U.S. Senate by the U.S. House of Representatives? Are you too busy begging for special interest money for the next election that you are deliberately derelict in your duties to America and our people?

Once again we have witnessed the classic American political tragedy. America’s people and our children’s future are harmed by the villains who voted for this budget deal. It is time for the Republican senators to step up and become the heroes in this tragedy. It is time for them to cull the “Old Bull” from the herd and elect a new Senate majority leader that has the courage and stamina to lead the U.S. Senate in a new direction and make America truly great again. —Albert Olszewski, Kalispell Republican, Senate District 6, and candidate for U.S. Senate

Support Glacier Symphony

We all know that the Flathead Valley is a great place to live. The size of our communities is ideal for raising families; not so big that we don’t know our neighbors and not so small that there’s nothing to do. In fact, the list of things to do is long. We’ve got sports leagues for all ages, museums, lifetime learning opportunities, art studios, outdoor recreational opportunities, and music for every age and taste, just to name a few.

We have so many things to do in the Flathead Valley it may have escaped your notice that we have a symphony! The Glacier Symphony and Chorale is made up of 150 of your friends and neighbors. I’ve played in the symphony for nearly 20 years and I would like to personally invite you to attend one of the 25-plus concerts we’ll play this year and experience the power of live music for yourself. You won’t regret it.

Whether you regularly attend our performances, or are planning to attend your first one, thank you for your support. As a non-profit, the Glacier Symphony relies on you, our neighbors, to fund our concerts, both by your attendance and through donations. We have a “Radiothon” coming up on April 26 and 27 to make it easy and fun for you to donate. We hope that you’ll tune in to KGEZ on those dates and consider calling in a pledge. Together we can keep the Flathead Valley a great place to live and work. —Laurie Miller, Columbia Falls