Letters to the editor Dec. 12
Good Samaritans
Let us honor the good Samaritans and volunteer fire and ambulance departments.
Last Monday on Dec. 2 at 7:35 a.m., in the dark, my car going south was hit by a truck going north which slid on black ice, crossed the median and smashed the front of my car, causing all airbags to deploy. I couldn’t see where I was, had difficulty breathing due to the powder in the airbags, and the dashboard impinging on my chest. I was terrified and worried but conscious.
A wonderful and caring man, Dale Crosby-Newman. stopped and opened the passenger door, and stayed with me until the ambulance arrived. He was reassuring, calm, gentle — just what I needed as a scared victim. A second woman, Maria, who teaches at one of the Kalispell high schools, also stopped. She was another saint, helping find my hat and sweater to keep me warm. Their kindness, upbeat attitude and reassurance were greatly appreciated.
The West Valley Fire Department and Ambulance were stellar in their care for me — gentle, caring, kind. Thank you. Thank you.
—Sukey Pfirman, Whitefish
Restore our magical place
Twenty-three years ago I lived back east in Vermont. My family all moved to Florida but I wanted to move somewhere amazing. I looked all over the country and I found that place, Northwest Montana.
Being an outdoorsman, I grew up hunting, fishing and hiking and this place had it all in spades. Especially the public land whitetail hunting — best in the country. Everyone was excited. I would be on a job here and people would talk about the upcoming season with excitement, and with good reason — there was game everywhere you went.
The season would come and it was amazing. During bow season, my buddies and I would ride into the backcountry, run into bugeling elk everywhere. We’d lay in our tent at night and listen to the elk calling back and forth all night long.
During gun season, we’d go out and see deer by the dozens. When the whitetail rut kicked in, it was simply an unmatched place with the country’s best public land whitetail hunting, maybe even the world! We’d go through game check stations, which were great because there was lots of excitement and enthusiasm. The game lines always had someone in them.
Then our world turned dark and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife decided we needed to reintroduce the wolf. Now years later, Region 1 is a barren sad place where we are often lucky to see one deer a day! The game check stations are also devoid of life. Fish, Wildlife and Parks huddles in their shacks in shame.
Wolves are not the only problem, because we also have too many cats, but they sure are the straw that broke the camel’s back. I beg Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks to address the predator problem and help restore our magical place.
—Tom Welch, Kalispell
Gianforte positioned to win
For the past two years Congressman Gianforte has been in Washington, D.C., working hard as an exceptional representative for Montanans. This experience has been invaluable by making great connections, working with President Trump, and exchanging ideas and information with folks around the country. He has seen what has worked nationally and in other states and has gained a tremendous amount of knowledge on how he can improve things here in Montana.
Greg also has the experience of starting and running successful businesses, and that knowledge has given him much insight on what makes an effective executive. That business experience and leadership is something that would be put to great use in Helena. Our state government has grown to a point that there is little return on taxpayers’ investment. This waste is something that a seasoned executive can correct by cutting the many inefficiencies we have currently.
Looking at Greg’s background it is clear that he has a strong principled conservative record, executive experience, and the relationships necessary to be a great governor. He is the most qualified candidate in this race and best positioned to win, which is why I fully support him as our next governor.
—Rep. Mark Noland, R-Bigfork