Letters to the editor April 4
Endorses Holmquist
After working alongside Pam Holmquist for the last year and three months, I believe I have learned a few things about her.
1) Pam is fiscally responsible. Last year’s county budget of $122,657,741 was $7 million less than the previous year’s budget, while maintaining budget reserves and a capital improvement plan for future needs and incurring little to no debt.
2) Pam has worked during the last two years of Covid to keep the county open and functioning. The commissioner chambers have never been closed or required masks to attend. She was also instrumental in making sure the Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo stayed open so our local FFA and 4-H youth had a venue to show and market their livestock projects that they had invested so much time and energy into.
3) Pam followed through on her pledge from her first campaign to create a property owners bill of rights and get it added to the 2012 growth plan for Flathead County. She also fought for those landowners who had lost representation because of the Whitefish doughnut and helped to get their right of representation back for them.
4) Pam also has the relationship with our representatives and senators both at the state and the national level that she can use along with her wealth of institutional knowledge to help her stand up for the voters and taxpayers of Flathead County.
For these as well as a multitude of other reasons I proudly endorse Pam Holmquist for Flathead County Commissioner and hope you will join me in helping to re-elect her
— Brad Abell, Flathead County Commissioner District 1
A true conservative
A river is rising. A river of justice, mercy and faithfulness. Contributing to this river rising is the candidacy of Constance Neumann, running for Montana House of Representatives for District 9.
I heard Constance Neumann speak March 18 at the Pachyderm meeting (open to all). I saw a person who could and would represent me and my family with high-caliber intelligence, truth, conviction, boldness and grace. Constance Neumann stands for life (from conception), freedom for all, small business, private property rights, limited government, Montana State and United States constitutions, state’s rights versus federal overreach, judicial reform, importance of family integrity, and constitutional originalism (including Article Five).
Therefore I see a rising river of judicial reform (against justices blocking the will of the people enacted by state legislation), of a safe zone for life (especially protecting the unborn against abortion), and of replacing unfaithful RINOs (Republicans in Name Only) with true constitutional conservatives.
May this river of justice, mercy and faithfulness continue to rise with high quality candidates across Montana and this wonderful nation, the United States of America.
— Mark Rice, Kalispell
The Pam I know
As the previous Flathead County superintendent of schools, I know the following about incumbent commissioner candidate, Pam Holmquist.
Pam was the only county commissioner with whom I worked who actually visited my office, showing genuine interest in the legal/constitutional responsibilities of the superintendent and staff, and in the education opportunities in the valley. She always had time for our children and schools.
A commissioner’s responsibilities as outlined in the Montana Code were well known and practiced.
As part of the three-member commission, Pam met with county officials on a monthly/quarterly basis to review department activities; she was not hesitant to ask questions and offer input — always with respect and gratitude.
Pam consulted with me when issues in other departments involved schools and school districts. I appreciated the team approach.
Not shy from controversy, Pam was a sincere listener and skilled communicator, aware that there were always “two sides to a coin.” She studied before making decisions and welcomed an opportunity to defend her positions.
My personal experience confirms that Pam Holmquist has extensive institutional knowledge and a history of working fairly with county department heads, both of which are important traits needed to lead the county through changing, challenging times.
— Marcia Sheffels, Whitefish