Letters to the editor May 19
Fuller a straight-shooter
This letter represents my unfailing support for John Fuller, candidate for Senate District 4 in Kalispell.
I have known John for many years and I consider himself a true patriot and straight-shooter without reservation.
I have not been in agreement with John on one or two issues through the years, but if we disagree John listens to my point of view respectfully. If John gives you his word, he will follow through. I have learned through the years that John does not shoot from the hip but instead he always has a well-reasoned response on all issues.
It has been very disappointing to see John’s opponent in this race, Kyle Waterman, display typical progressive tactics to discredit John. Waterman believes that political bomb throwing is the way to win a race regardless of facts or well reasoned opinion. Particularly distressing is Waterman’s attack on John due to the fact that conservatives like John believe in full campaign disclosure to include political party affiliation. This fiction that elections are nonpartisan is a devious smoke screen to conceal political motives and objectives. Politics have become so polarized that disclosure of party affiliation is generally a pretty accurate short hand as to conservative or progressive objectives. Kyle Waterman is without doubt, a progressive and he will clearly follow the political hard liners. Anything to get elected.
Montana is still somewhat of an oasis in civility and the Flathead is the only place I would choose to live in this day. John Fuller is a trustworthy public servant and he is needed to preserve traditional Montana values.
I encourage all thinking Flathead residents to vote for John in the Senate district 4 race. John has given his life to public service including his military service.
— Ronald McCormack, Bigfork
Dunn will get it done
David Dunn is the clear choice for House District 8. David has proven legislative experience and is a man of high integrity.
David voted against any proposed legislation that would raise taxes. He has a great relationship with the governor and other legislators and has vowed to work with them to address the rising property taxes Montanans are very concerned about.
David is a protector of the Second Amendment and helped stop an unconstitutional “red flag law” bill that would have infringed on our right to keep and bear arms.
David is a successful and innovative farmer who can bring his expertise to Helena to help address increasing concerns about food security.
For these reasons and many more, I support David Dunn for House District 8.
— Julie Martin, Kalispell
Friess cares about the Flathead
I have known Brian Friess for many years and know him to be an exceptionally honest business person, and also a very thoughtful person. Every time I have discussed complicated issues with him, I can clearly see his ability to see an issue from many different angles at once. I am concerned about the way that the explosive growth in the Flathead is taking place. While no one could foresee exactly what would happen, we have known for a while now that growth was going to continue.
I think this issue is complex, and while I am a fourth-generation person from here and often wish things could go back to the way they used to be, I know they never will. My family also has business here in the Flathead and we do understand that growth can bring benefits if it is managed well. This is a critical issue to my family and I, and that is one reason I think Brian is the best choice. The issue is too complicated for any knee-jerk reaction and I know he will really think about the issue from every possible angle. He also knows that you can’t think about something forever, that you actually have to do something.
Brian is from here too, and he has seen other parts of the world where things are much different. He has chosen to stay here, create a business, and raise his family and I know he cares deeply about what happens here. He and his wife Melissa want their children to find opportunities here and even be able to purchase and pay for a house someday which seems out of reach now for young local people. He has a vested interest in the future generation and the ability for them to live and prosper here.
These and many other issues are so important to me and I will be voting for Brian Friess for County Commissioner on June 7.
— Lisa Wade, Kila
The county needs a leader
A Flathead County Commissioner’s salary for 2021 was $79,406.
Pam Holmquist is running for a third term. Her management style dates back to when managers were authoritarians who intimidated and hired subservient employees who were afraid to lead.
Flathead County is short on leaders; the county does not need more managers.
Wait! Management/leadership — I thought they were the same?
Management is control. Only three things can be controlled: quality, time and money. Whichever of these takes precedence the other two will suffer.
So where are people in this equation? People come under leadership.
In World War II, Dwight Eisenhower was the allied supreme commander of all the European forces. When he trained his generals he would take a chain and stack it onto a table and ask, “If I push that chain which way will it go?” The correct answer is you really don’t know.
Eisenhower then said, “if I take a hold of one end of the chain and pulled the chain, which way will it go?” The answer is: it will follow you.
And there is the essence of leadership.
Pam Holmquist’s management style for Flathead County has lead to an increased number of lawsuits regarding planning and zoning, i.e. Friends of Lake Five lawsuit.
Her management style is driven by her ego. She doesn’t care if she makes a poor decision because if the county is sued she just hands the problem over to an organization called Montana Association of Counties (MACo). This is not leadership.
Leadership is a gift. You either have it or you don’t. Leadership is culture building without ego.
Pam Holmquist doesn’t have leadership skills. Direct your vote toward replacing her with a leader.
— Lee Pinski, Kalispell
11 reasons to support Holmquist
We need to keep our conservative Republican Pam Holmquist in the County Commissioner office. I am a longtime Evergreen resident and attest that Holmquist is a champion for the Evergreen community.
Please consider the following:
She was born and raised in Evergreen.
She attended Evergreen Elementary School and grew up in Evergreen.
She was a longtime business owner in Evergreen for over 40 years.
Her kids attended Helena Flats School.
She is a member and big supporter of the Evergreen Chamber and she attends most of the Evergreen Chamber events.
She attends Evergreen Energizers, chamber meetings, ribbon cuttings and car shows.
As a commissioner she was instrumental in supporting the Evergreen Business District overlay which promotes business in Evergreen.
She was a big supporter of the Evergreen sidewalk donating as a citizen and supporting as a commissioner.
She spent many years as a member of the Evergreen Water and Sewer District board, always supporting important improvements to the Evergreen sewer and water system.
She worked hard to prevent the city of Kalispell from annexing Evergreen.
Pam along with the other commissioners provided Flathead County ARPA money as matching funds for state grants for sewer districts. As a result, Evergreen district received around $900,000.
Please vote for Holmquist, we have to keep her because she is a champion for the Evergreen community.
— Brian Launius, Kalispell
Falk supports limited government
My name is David Boye and I have lived in Flathead County since 1996 and I would like to publicly endorse Terry Falk for Montana House District 8.
I have known Terry over the years as a businessman, church goer, and an employee / mortgage broker. Terry is high integrity, with an excellent business acumen, and will only support limited government / conservative values. He is exactly what we need in government right now.
If you want to know more about my endorsement, call me at 406-212-2644.
— David Boye, Whitefish