Letters to the editor Aug. 29

Honest Zinke

I want to thank Ms. Monica Tranel for the political advertisement she had on the radio today. In it she attests to the 18 investigations that have been conducted on Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke without any charges filed against him.

We in Montana should be proud that Zinke is such an honest politician. Thank you again Ms. Tranel for highlighting why Zinke is the right choice to continue to represent Montana in the nation’s capital.

— Dale B. Heldstab, Columbia Falls

Vote for the climate

Flathead Valley is a big tourism destination. Wildfire smoke in the valley is unattractive to tourists. The smoky conditions have been causing some visitors to Montana to cancel their plans. The smoke is unattractive and also unhealthy.  

In the winter, skiing is a big draw but this last year, warm temperatures and lack of snow shortened the skiing season.

We know climate change is involved in shortening our winters, decreasing our snowfall and lengthening our fire seasons. We need to preserve Montana’s beautiful landscapes and our tourism industry. As you consider who to vote for in upcoming elections, I sincerely hope that you will pay close attention to the candidates’ positions on the climate.

— Sue Cummings, Kalispell

Tester kept his promise

In 2006, my late husband Lyle Quick and I were invited to meet a newcomer to the federal political arena named Jon Tester. His goals were our goals, fighting for the working families in the Montana we knew and cared about.  

And now, Jon is running for his fourth term in office and continues to work hard for all rural Americans, veterans, small businesses, farmer/ranchers, native people, and last but not least, our rural hospitals.  

His opponent, Tim Sheehy, is a wealthy outsider who wants to buy more land to add to the ranch he already uses for the elite to hunt on while charging them large sums of money. Sheehy wants to transfer our public lands to make it easier for them to buy our heritage. Jon Tester’s office wall has long had a sign “Public lands in public hands,” and now Sheehy has “borrowed” it for his ads.  

Do we really want privatization of health care? Very few can afford it. Do we want to lose the best hunting property that he’ll save for himself? Do we really want a billionaire taking away “our last best place” for him and his cronies?  

Jon Tester has kept his promises. Let’s keep him.

— Donna Quick, Circle