Letters to the editor July 7

WORDS from our president in a time of national distress are critically important. What might our president say to the angry protestors, the mobs in our streets? The WORDS our President might say are simple: “I hear you. I cannot possibly understand the depth of your pain. But I am LISTENING.”

The president might convene a White House meeting of respected black leaders from differing walks of life - educators, police chiefs, mayors, physicians, journalists, athletes, economists, businessmen. The sole purpose of this meeting would be for our president to LISTEN to their WORDS.

Racial injustice in America has been here for centuries. But history tells us that oppressed peoples inevitably rise up. Oppression was the cause of the American Revolution and of those in France and Russia. The opera “Les Mis” based on Victor Hugo’s novel, “Les Miserables”, was set in 1832 Paris, ironically during an epidemic of cholera and a time of severe economic disparity. The words of “Do You Hear the People Sing” from “Les Mis” begin: “Do you hear the people sing? Singing a song of angry men? It is the music of a people who will not be slaves again.”

Although Martin Luther King urged peaceful protest, Dr. King also said, “ A riot is the language of the unheard.” Certainly violence and fires in our streets must cease, but pouring angry WORDS on those fires is not the solution. We need WORDS of conciliation, outreach, and compassion from our president, and we need him to LISTEN.

—Jeanne Welty Southwood, Bigfork

Words simply cannot express my gratitude for Hillary Hanson, and her leadership, coachin, and guidance during this Covid-19 pandemic.

As the executive director for Flathead Lutheran Bible camp, I was looking for direction and help. From the first time I contacted Hillary, in March, (as busy as she is), she returned my calls and emails and gave direct, strong advice. When I asked if she would consider joining our board of directors for a conference call, she graciously said yes, even when I told her our weekly meetings started a 9 p.m. due to one of our member’s (a doctor) work schedule. Hillary even was on an town meeting call on Memorial Day. My camp director colleagues around the country are in awe of the help we have received, from our health department, including detailed steps to opening camp.

While Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp will be operating in a different way this summer, we are committed to providing Christ-centered programs to families and small groups. Not offering weeklong youth camping this summer was not an easy decision, and we know we have over 500 every disappointed youth. However, plans are being made to create alternate ways for families to enjoy camp. beginning July 5. Small groups from congregations, agencies and families will be able to come to camp and enjoy great meals, water sports, and all camp has to offer in the great outdoors.

Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp, will be following all social distance guidelines, encouraging masks when gathering for inside activities, and will work to be immaculate in cleaning and safety procedures.

Thank you Hillary, and the staff of the health department, on behalf our our board of directors, staff, and campers for helping Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp to be the best it can be.

—Margie P. Fiedler is executive director of Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp on Flathead Lake.

The Olszewski-Bogner team congratulates Greg Gianforte and Kristin Juras on their victory to be the Montana Republican Party’s candidates for governor and lieutenant governor. We wish them success in November.

Ken and I are humbled by the thousands of Montanans who supported the Olszewski-Bogner team during this hard-fought primary. We are grateful for their passionate support. I want to give my heartfelt thanks to my friend, colleague, and running mate – Senator Ken Bogner. He represents the best that Montana has to offer.

Finally, I thank God for my wife Nancee and all my children. They have served and sacrificed much to support me during the course of this 15 month long primary campaign. To my wife and family, I love you.

—Sen. Al Olszewski, Kalispell

Last year the Columbia Falls School Board sent out a ballot requesting $37.5 million bond for the remodeling of Ruder Elementary and to demolish part of Glacier Elementary plus rebuilding. It did pass by only 97 votes.

At the time I thought the amount requested was way out of bounds for our community. We built the Junior High for $12 million so asking for 3 times that amount to remodel was way over any logic.

Whoever could have predicted Covid-19 would hit and basically demolish our economy, hurting our citizens at every level. So I have written the Columbia Falls School Trustees to suspend this bond until we find out where we will end up with all this uncertainty.

I even feel they should wait and run the bond again when things go back to “normal” and people can make a more logical decision. Raising property taxes at this time will hurt almost every citizen in our community.

If you feel the same as I do, please write our School Board Trustees and let them know.

—Judy Territo, Columbia Falls