Letters to the editor Aug. 17

There are few issues of more conspicuous lunacy today than defunding the police. Particularly, the idea of defunding School Resource Officers will make schools unsafe. Have we forgotten the violent active shooter events that schools endured in recent years? Removing SROs will leave schools vulnerable to violence and promote a climate of lawlessness. Teachers need an atmosphere of peace and security to teach students the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in life. SROs assist schools in creating this peaceful environment.

I spent 17 of my 34 years in public education as a school principal. SROs that served our school district had extensive training to be an SRO. This training included de-escalation techniques to assist with student bullying, drug use, dealing with violence (by students, parents, or intruders), providing drug resistance education, detecting child abuse and establishing positive relationships with students. D.A.R.E (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) was a drug education program my SRO taught to fifth-grade students. In my school, with over 14 different languages and cultures present, our city police department helped to start a program called Peacebuilders, where our entire district staff was trained to develop and celebrate positive productive behavior among students of all ethnicities. All students were valued and cherished. My SRO assisted me in helping students choose healthy and positive choices for a successful future, and I can assure you from my first-hand experience, SROs are invaluable team members, vital to assisting both students and parents.

Defunding police and SROs is an ideological fad, and not one thoroughly thought through. What is being proposed to replace something we know works? Do not waste your vote this November on any candidate willing to cast aside decades of tried, tested, and proven programs for a here today gone tomorrow emotional momentary decision. Support your police, and support the tremendous value they bring to your community as SROs.

—Linda Reksten is Republican candidate for House District 12

I find it interesting that the same people who do not wear a mask, or protest wearing a mask are the same ones that want all the stores and services, and ultimately the economy, open for their benefit. Probably the same ones that don’t wear their seat belts and talk or text while driving on the wrong side of the road.

I applaud those stores, vendors, and services that require a mask and other protocols, and will patronize them well before ones that do not or are lackadaisical about it.

I spent two months of my life daily watching my spouse on a ventilator and can really say that I don’t want that to be me, or anyone close to me, ever again.

—Mark Voelker, Whitefish

Thank goodness for the ImagineIf library during the covid pandemic and the otherwise uncertain times. Following health department guidelines, the local library continues to serve a broad swath of our community in as varied ways as the faces that are now masked (provided at the door). I hear stories of appreciation about how the library lifts the spirits of young and old, and offers solace and clarity and just plain simple connection and networking in so many different ways. The local library needs a county commission that values a longterm up-to-date home for this critical community cornerstone, for our economic future and generations to come.

—Margaret Strainer, Kalispell