Letters to the editor Feb. 26

Preserve Kalispell

I am writing in regard to the Charles Hotel. I don’t feel this is a good fit for Kalispell. I have lived here 44 years.

It would change the whole footprint of our town. We have the Center Mall, which has died. We don’t need another hotel in downtown. We need a department store, a book store, etc.

We need low-income housing — all this everyone knows.

I just wanted to give my opinion. I love Kalispell and don’t want it to look like Any City USA. I also like how they have revamped the Gateway Mall. It’s wonderful for seniors to have things in one place.

— Annie Tellow, Kalispell

Holmquist’s record

County Commissioner Pam Holmquist is running for her third six-year term as county commissioner. Although she claims she is faithful to uphold the Montana and U.S. constitutions in her duties, her public voting record suggests otherwise. In fact, her record shows her utter disregard for the individual liberties of Flathead County citizens.

Holmquist’s 2020 health board record shows that she voted to mandate the indoor-closing of restaurants, restricting them to carry-out only. By giving the health officer free reign to push for masking and Covid-vaccinating children, Pam Holmquist shows her approval of these risky health measures. Her record in these matters is nothing short of tyrannical; she has trampled the rights of her constituents.

She recently re-appointed Dr. Pete Heyboer to the health board, even after she personally witnessed over the past 18 months his continual voting to implement lockdowns, mask and inoculation mandates, business and church closures, etc. Heyboer’s record is 100% tyrannical, yet I-uphold-the-Constitution-Holmquist voted to reappoint him. How can this be?

Due to her continual disregard for the Constitution and the rights of We the People, Flathead County voters should not reinstate Mrs. Holmquist as a commissioner in the upcoming elections.

— Julie Baldridge, Kalispell

Library board

The Flathead County Commissioners’ continued support of the three toxic library board members (Adams, Roedel and Ingram) is turning me off the Republican Party.

— Carolyn Hurst, Marion

Abortion story

It’s not very often I get to tell my story, so I’m thankful I have this opportunity.

It started like every other day. I had been provided a good breakfast, so I was quite content. I stretched out, gave a yawn and fell into a deep sleep. It was a warm and cozy house, so when I woke up I just smiled and did a few exercises, all the while just basking in my comfort.

All of a sudden I felt something stabbing at my foot. I pulled it back as far as I could, the pain was so intense I cried out, but no help came. Soon my leg was gone. The last thing I remember, I was stabbed in the back of my neck and thrown in the garbage.

A few cried out for me, but there was no investigation about my killing. They were told it was legal.

Now that I look back what hurts me the most, my own mother paid my killer.

— Georgia Branscome, Kalispell

Voting rights

In Montana, Native Americans make up 7% of the population and play decisive roles in elections. With the geographical size of the state, the seven Montana reservations are often distant from registration sites and polling boxes. For many rural tribal communities, ballot collection is the only way to ensure that their votes are counted.

In addition, lack of internet and transportation, poverty, and the Covid-19 pandemic further curtail Indigenous people’s ability to vote in person.

In 2021, Montana Legislature enacted the laws — H.B. 176, which eliminated same-day voter registration, and H.B. 530, which restricted ballot collection on reservations. This is an unconstitutional attack on Native Americans’ ability to vote. Residents living on tribal reservations often have limited mail delivery service, live great distances from voting registration and polling centers, or simply cannot take an entire day off to drive to the nearest elections office. Earlier deadlines and stricter voter ID laws further amplify barriers.

These new laws disenfranchise Native voters. For our elections to be free and fair, we need to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to cast their ballots. It is vital that Indigenous voices are heard at the ballot box and elected officials are held accountable under federal law. Contact your local senators now and urge them to eliminate H.B. 176 and H.B. 530.

— Sylvie Heriza, Missoula