Letters to the editor April 26

Bigfork voters should consider voting in favor of the two levy requests. As a school board member, I sit on the committee negotiating staff salaries. I believe our staff’s compensation is not up to par with their peers in the valley.

I hope our community can collectively realize the success and progress Bigfork Schools is making for the betterment of our youth, through defining what is taught and when and pushing each student for educational growth. Our school is fortunate to have talented, committed and compassionate staffing, especially during unprecedented times of school closures.

Six weeks ago, during a regularly scheduled board meeting our administrators presented the possible scenario of a school closure, along with the plan they were working on for continuing connection with students to assure their grade level completion for the year. Closure seemed “out of this world” and I listened with skepticism. Two weeks later closures were ordered. Students missed one day while our teachers swiftly and confidently transitioned to virtual online instruction with students connected from home through online media using computers supplied if needed. Surprisingly, student attendance has exceeded the norm. The staff continued supplying meals and essentials as needed by families, using buses and displaced staff. Finally, upheaval aside, the staff continues pursuing professional development.

Neighboring schools cancelled their levies. Our board decided the levy request timing is perfect to reveal how professional and committed our staff is to the kids. Our educators deserve higher pay. Your vote will make the decision.

—Zack Anderson, Bigfork

I’m supporting Elliot Adams for Flathead County Commissioner. He is a man of outstanding character and truly has a heart of service to the community. He will do an outstanding job as our next County Commissioner.

—Josiah Baer, Kalispell

With Tim Fox term-limited, we will elect a new Attorney General this year. I support Fox’s Chief Deputy Attorney General, Jon Bennion.

Serving as Fox’s chief of staff for most of his first term was the greatest privilege of my career. I worked closely with Jon. He has the knowledge, experience, work ethic, and judgment for the job.

Navigating the Attorney General’s world and Montana’s complex Department of Justice is no small task. The law enforcement community has high regard for Jon. He works well with everyone, is an excellent listener, and has the courage to tackle difficult issues. Jon is managing key projects such as getting all unsubmitted rape kits tested and the Attorney General’s substance-abuse initiative.

Jon is a phenomenal human being. He is kind, compassionate, and a tremendous husband and father. He is a man of the utmost integrity with the heart of a public servant. What’s more, Jon is a natural leader who doesn’t take himself too seriously.

This is an easy choice. No one is better prepared than Jon to take on this important job and be a conservative leader for our state. Please join me in supporting Jon Bennion as Montana’s next Attorney General.

—Scott Darkenwald, Whitefish

I am happy to see my friend Frank Garner running to serve in House District 7 again. I know these next few years are going to be full of challenges and I want people with real-life experience likes his making the hard decisions that are coming our way.

Frank has a long history of service to Kalispell. He didn’t just start because there’s an election. I’ve served with him in Lions and I know he served many years with Rotary, Big Brothers and Sisters, the FVCC Foundation and coaching kids’ sports teams. I’ve seen Frank working to help our veterans and those that don’t know where their next meal is coming from and I have seen his commitment to help those less fortunate in everything he does.

I’m also grateful for his decades of experience in law enforcement and crisis management. I know he’s seen a lot of tough situations and I’m glad he’s willing to use that experience to represent our community again. I also know I can count on him to put us first and to keep fighting against those out of town agitators that keep trying to control our business.

Thanks Frank for your service and for putting us first again.

—Sabrina Wisher-DeWitt, Kalispell

As Montanans adapt to modified daily routines, the COVID-19 pandemic is justifiably front and center today. However, the immediate crisis will end, and we need to start thinking about how we rebuild our economy in the aftermath.

Bruce Tutvedt has served as lead sponsor or voted in support of access to affordable healthcare, commonsense legal reform, reductions in workers’ compensation premiums, and responsible natural resource development.

Having the right people, for the right office, at the right time is essential to convert good ideas into tangible economic growth. As business owners, we embrace this reality and urge other employers and employees to make their voices heard in the election process.

We need Bruce’s pragmatic leadership in Helena – a leader who will work relentlessly to achieve economic recovery and return our Montana communities to prosperity. Bruce Tutvedt has demonstrated the political courage to prioritize constituents before caucus, and you can expect him to put the Flathead Valley first when we send him back to the legislature in 2021.

Please join us in supporting Bruce Tutvedt for House District 5.

—Mike and Pam Mower, Kalispell

I was appalled by the April 12 letter to the editor from Catherine Owens, a candidate for House District 5. She erroneously sees the closing of houses of worship as communism. If she knew her history better, she’d know that religion throughout history has supported closing churches during plagues, including Martin Luther in 1527 during the Bubonic plague.

Communism did exit in the 1500’s, it was only a theory in 1850’s when public health was in its infancy and lead by religious leaders, and the Russian Revolution was only one year old during the Spanish Flu in 1918. In fact, staying home from church to protect public health is a Christian tradition.

I believe God gave us the talents and brains to deal with public health issues. It create such false dichotomies for political gain is an insult to God.

—Lana Batts, Lakeside