Letters to the editor Oct. 20
An election about choice
Let’s elect Kyle Waterman to Kalispell’s Senate District 4. Kyle is my son. I know his qualities. Hard working for certain. Dedicated to addressing the problems of Montana and Kalispell, for sure. Willing to work to find bipartisan solutions to the homeless crisis, the mental health challenges and high suicide rate and child care needs. This is the work Kyle is ready to do..
Kyle has dedicated his work life to the public sector. In Kalispell he has worked with Intermountain Home and Services, served on the City Council, was the city delegate to the Health Board, served on the Transportation Committee and is on the board of the homeless shelter. He lives in Kalispell. He understands the problems Kalispell experiences. He can apply that knowledge to craft legislation responsive to those problems.
This is an election about choice. Who makes choices for individuals? For women and men? Who makes the choice for their health care, matters personal and private? Do we trust people to make choices for themselves or believe that big government should make choices for them?
Kyle believes, as do the vast majority of Montanans, that individuals are best capable to make those decisions, in consultation with their doctor, their family members, their faith community. Politicians should not be making those decisions for others.
So, Kalispell, who do you want to represent you in Helena? Someone who trusts you to make sound and reasonable decisions or someone who feels that the government needs to make those choices for you? That is really the question and I would choose a Senator who trusts me.
This Nov. 8, join with the Kalispell community and vote Kyle Waterman for Senate District 4.
— Ron Waterman, Helena
Zinke’s record at Interior
I worked for 35 years in the National Park Service as a ranger, naturalist (in Glacier), and as superintendent of Mount Rushmore, and Death Valley National Park. Even in my retirement (27 years) I have spent some time each year volunteering in national parks and Bureau of Land Management areas.
I feel it is very important that with seven Park Service, state and other federal land areas within Montana, our congressional representative must understand the values of our parks and natural resources.
While working for the Park Service, I got to know several secretaries of the Interior, men I respected who did a great job: Stewart Udall, Bruce Babbitt and even Jim Watt.
When Ryan Zinke was appointed secretary of Interior I was hopeful. However almost immediately he did things that went against my grain.
Just to mention two: early after Zinke’s appointment he traveled to southern Utah to visit two great National Monuments (Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante) and returned to Washington to greatly reduce their size. Also his reversing lead-ammunition ban used on national wildlife refuges. Then consider with all the coverage on the national news of the troubles he got into that brought his resignation. He has embarrassed the office of the Department of the Interior and Montana!
Do we want to take the risk of this candidate? NO!
By contrast, Monica Tranel is a Montanan who we can trust. I have heard her speak four times and feel she would be a strong voice and capable representative of our state, one that we can be very proud of. Monica understands the values of our national parks. I have also talked with her about her brother, who is the deputy superintendent of Yellowstone National Park.
Please give Monica Tranel your vote!
— Ed Rothfuss, Kalispell
Reasons to vote Holmquist
Vote Republican Pam Holmquist for County Commissioner. I am a longtime Evergreen resident and Holmquist is very beneficial 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.
Pam always seems to keep in touch with the Evergreen community by attending meetings she feels may have some effect on our communities citizens. Vote for Republican Holmquist, she is good for the Evergreen community.
— Brian Launius, Kalispell