Letters to the editor April 7

Community compassion

Dear Whitefish, Flathead Valley, and extended community:

My husband and I lost our home to a fire that started in the early morning hours on March 8. We are thankful that our smoke detectors alerted us, allowing us the time to exit our home with our two dogs.

While this has been a heartbreaking experience, we are overwhelmed and have abundant gratitude for the community we live in and the support system that we have. We often hear concerns about how much Whitefish and the Flathead Valley has changed and continues to change. Although our area has developed and evolved over the years … it is our community, the people, and a genuine concern for others’ well-being that has stayed the same.

Our family has experienced a significant setback, but this event has shown us the unimaginable kindness and generosity of our valley.

Although this list does not begin to cover everyone, we would like to recognize and thank the following:

Our fire alarms; Flathead County 911 dispatch; Flathead County Sheriff’s Office; West Valley Volunteer Fire Department, Chief Bohannan and all of the dedicated volunteers; Whitefish Fire Department; Bad Rock Fire Department; Columbia Falls Fire Department; South Kalispell Fire Department; Flathead Farm Mutual Insurance Company and Ellingson Agency, Inc.; Jimmy Deats and JD Thinning Inc.; Alex Creighton and Pop A Squat Portables; Whitefish High School, School District 44 and School District Support Team: Kerry Drown; Dave Means; Jeff Peck; Lori Martin; Colette Gardner; Meg Judd; Deanne Sramek; Aric Harris; Kelliann Blackburn; Lyndsey Marshall; Lacey Eccles; Sadie Walker; Kim Schneider; Kelly Kyle; Chris Schwaderer; Eden Dias and Secretaries Unite; Whitefish Credit Union; Glacier Bank; Tyler and Robin Gardner and Dancing Spirit Ranch; Debi and Donovan Bergeson and Bergeson RV; Kurt Blades and Whitefish Eye Clinic; John Kalbfleisch and Glacier Medical Associates; Joe and Kristin Tabor and Stumptown Snowboards; Jon and Ginny Ly and Pho Ly Asian Cuisine; Dave Dodrill, Kalli Elford and the Montana Center for Laser Dentistry Staff; Nancy Gunset and Le Marche; Gretchen Stoner and Salon G; Shane Schoenthal and Protech Detailing; The St. Onge, Tabor, Corntassel, Wetsch, and McKee families; Contributors to the St. Onge Benefit Fund; The Coopman, Haugen, Kenyon and Archer families; The Friske family; The Loecker family; The YaYa’s; Jared and Libby Benz and Family; Jon and Stacey Webb; Gabriella and Kevin Mincheff; The Johnson, Updike, Maldonado, Tempel and Fix families; Mike Warner and family; Dennis and Sue Morris; Shirley Ronseth; Neil and Sandy Hanson; Tammi Fisher, Don Brummell and LHC; Zana Faulkner; The Duff Family; Curtis and Jodi Thew and family; Nancy Gilliland; Lea and Steve Moss; Kent and Joan Paulson; Shawn Havens; the Dow Powell family; the Gordon Cross family; the Catina Family; Teri Hill, Brandy Hill and Dale Siravo; the Bertelsen, Delgado, Peretto, Dowaliby and Akey families; Ginny Gist; Lonnie and Caty Collinsworth; Colleen Sullivan; Dave Bauer; the Dennis and Phyllis Washington company’s Pay It Forward program; all of our friends, family and neighbors who have generously offered us places to stay, food, clothing, gift cards, assistance and other support; and all others who have sent us kind words during this chapter of our lives.

The kindness, compassion, and generosity of our community is inspiring. We are fortunate to live in a spectacular area but know that it is the people who make the Flathead Valley such a special place.

Our sincerest thanks and gratitude,

— The St. Onge Family: Kelly and Jenny St. Onge, Taylor and Brad Corntassel, E.J. and Cole Havens.

Republican primary

The usual strategy in Flathead County to keep an incumbent in power specifically when a strong primary candidate appears to challenge the incumbent is to convince others with little or no experience or chance to throw their hat in the race. Races here with three or more candidates usually results in a win for the incumbent.

Our commissioners Republican primary race seems to be following that pattern to ensure Commissioner Pam Holmquist the win. This time it’s important to learn about all the primary Republican candidates and not just vote for an incumbent cause you recognize the name. Be responsible and be an informed voter not a voter manipulated by old political campaign games.

If you are an Independent or Democrat or Libertarian and want any voice in your county, pull a Republican Primary ballot, get educated about the commissioners race candidates and vote.

— Karlene Khor, Kalispell