Letters to the editor Oct. 17

Redistricting maps

Many Montanans were excited to get a second U.S. congressional seat for the next decade. The obvious line dividing social and economic interests in the state since our founding has roughly paralleled the continental divide; the historical split of the congressional seats when we had two for 80 years. After the latest Redistricting Commission meeting, it was obvious the Democrat commissioners were determined to craft a victory for their party.

The previous six meetings saw Montana citizens demanding that the commissioners adhere to Montana law (MCA 5-1-115 new section 4) and create two districts that were contiguous, compact and not favoring a political party. The Democrat commissioners decided that an undefined measure of “competitive” would replace the law.

Montana didn’t understand what that meant until seeing the maps they endorsed last week. Democrats have decided to support options that include placing all the tribes of Montana into a district only Republicans can statistically win, or divide Flathead County in half (the most conservative county in Montana), or combine the university towns of Bozeman and Missoula with the Democrat strongholds of Helena and Butte. The maps endorsed by the Democrats violate Montana law.

The Democrats here are caught up in the same game the national ones are playing, by putting their foot on the scale to keep them in power, regardless of the law or our constitution’s words. Since 1889 Montana voters alone decided who their politicians were, yet today’s Democrat party wants their politicians to decide who their voters are.

—Rep. Derek Skees, R-Kalispell

Politicizing a virus

Two letters published Oct. 14 referenced a previous letter written by Michael Boharski. In one, Sharon Morrison disagreed with Boharski’s assertion that painting your face blue protected you as much from Covid infection as wearing a mask does. She noted that surgeons and hospitals certainly do not adhere to that practice. In her well reasoned letter she makes her case for vaccines and masks to help end the pandemic.

In the other letter written by Doug Adams, readers are urged to read and reread Boharski’s letter. Then Mr. Adams diverges from commentary to name-calling and politics by asserting that anyone not agreeing with Boharski (and him) is “willfully ignorant of the facts in order to continue their ill-advised love affair with socialism and government worship, people who ignore science and history.”

Mr. Adams does not explain how mask wearing reveals these things he asserts. He also casually ignores the fact that the vast majority of scientists and medical experts, some who have researched the coronavirus for decades, agree that vaccines, social distancing, and masks are effective means of reducing the risks of Covid infection. Nor does he explain how he can legitimately lump every mask wearer into the above categories when he has absolutely no way of knowing what their particular health situation is or who else they may be trying to protect. Nor does he know their politics. Politicizing a virus that causes illness and death by attacking the ways people use to try to avoid infection is just simply wrong.

Vaccines, social distancing, and masks are all effective in reducing the risk of us getting sick or infecting others according to scientific and medical research.

But whatever you choose to do or believe about this, mask wearing should not be deemed to proclaim your politics or incite insulting name-calling.

—Connie Leistiko, Kalispell

Dahlman for council

With great honor I endorse my dear colleague Jessica Dahlman for Kalispell City Council. Having worked hand in hand at Kalispell Regional (Logan Health), Jessica always went above and beyond on and off the job. She had amazing attention to detail, was respected by all and had heart that stretched upon all walks of life.

I worked with her for over three years and she was always ready to go the extra mile to make sure her patients’ needs were met. Her communication skills always made families, co-workers and patients feel confident they were in good hands. I know that Jessica would show the same passion and heart to Kalispell City Council that I saw every day I worked with her. Jessica would bring fresh ideas for growth and economic development in the valley. She will build strong relationships to foster great communication between all parties alike.

Jessica Dahlman will be a great asset to the City Council and all the city of Kalispell will reap the rewards.

—Jane Byrnes, Kalispell