Letters to the editor April 25

Smith Valley School Board

As Montanans speak up about how vital it is for parents’ voices to be heard their children’s education, more parents are taking action to get involved in the upcoming school board elections on May 3. Two candidates for Smith Valley School Board deserve your community’s support.

Lee Yandl is well-known in the community and endorsed by members such as pastors, neighbors, and small-business owners. He was raised by public school teachers and has worked in the public school system as a campus security guard at different high schools. His history of leadership includes being a Calvary Scout team leader and teaching veterans with PTSD how to fly fish. His experience managing a small business enables him to bring creative budget solutions to the table. As a husband and father of a young son, Yandl understands the importance of keeping critical race theory out of our schools and preserving parents’ right to have a say in their children’s education.

Jason Preble was born and raised in Great Falls, and went to college in Billings. Married for 20 years with two children in Smith Valley Schools, Preble attends school board meetings and is committed to fighting for the preservation of family values and making sure parents’ voices are heard in the schools. Endorsed by community members, Preble is motivated to protect our future and believes education is the key way to ensure that we protect and nurture our children, and thus, our future. He is committed to keeping critical race theory out of public schools and using his background in finance to solve budget problems as they arise.

It’s heartening to see men like Lee Yandl and Jason Preble standing up to be the solutions in the fight for traditional values. Supporting these candidates for school board is a vote for our children and future.

— Megan Wildhood, Seattle

Endorses Sprunger

Over the past nearly 8 years it has been my privilege to represent the people of House District 7 in the Montana House of Representatives. It has been an honor to serve you and to have enjoyed the continued support and confidence of so many in our district.

As I reach the end of my service due to term limits it is important to me to participate in a thoughtful transition to someone that has a heart for service. Someone who isn’t afraid to work with anyone to solve problems, has a conservative approach to governing and who knows Kalispell and the Flathead.

To that end, the person that I trust and support to be your next representative is Courtenay Sprunger. Courtenay’s family has a long legacy of service to the valley, and she has served our community in many roles already including President of the Kalispell Chamber Board, in numerous service organizations and as a tireless advocate for our valley and its people.

Courtenay has a business on Main Street in Kalispell and a vision to solve issues related to jobs, public safety, education, infrastructure, housing and childcare with an eye towards limiting the size of government while still getting results that matter. She has tons of energy and a great vision for helping ensure Kalispell is a place we can continue to love and enjoy.

Many thanks to all of you that have offered me your support, encouragement and advice. I am confident you will find that Courtenay is up to the task of being a champion for you and our community and I’m asking that you vote for her as your next representative. It is my pleasure to offer her my support and endorsement.

— Rep. Frank Garner, R-Kalispell

Tranel for Congress

Ryan Zinke’s one-year failure as secretary of Interior was remarkably destructive as a cabinet member. His toxic push to shrink America’s public lands for extraction of coal and other resources was a slash and burn carnage of some of the most beautiful places in the world.

It is now suddenly convenient to be a full-time Montanan for the new congressional seat while mostly residing in California.

My vote will go to Monica Tranel, a full-time Montana resident running for Congress with a love of our beautiful state.

— Roger Sherman, Whitefish