Letters to the editor June 2
Impressed with Brockman
With confidence and respect, and with our Montana primary election just around the corner, Tuesday, June 4, I am very much looking forward to casting my ballot for Tony Brockman for Montana House District 8.
Over these past two years, I have observed Tony and his enthusiastic, high energy work ethic on behalf of the Evergreen and North Kalispell community. Having been deeply involved in the Evergreen Chamber of Commerce, I have been highly impressed with the enthusiasm, diligence and engagement that Tony has shown, and through countless meetings, events, gatherings and community planning sessions.
Evident to many, I’ve been around a very long time. With that mentioned, I find Tony’s example of engagement and sincere representation of his constituents, as somewhat rare.
Please consider joining me with your vote for Tony Brockman.
— B.J. Lupton, Kalispell
Regier the most conservative
You really can’t believe the negative ads about one of the most conservative legislators in Montana, Speaker of the House Matt Regier. Matt has always taken the conservative, constitutional side for his citizens, protecting our Montana way of life, and defending our Second Amendment right. Speaker Regier is well known for defending the rights of the unborn.
Please support Matt Regier for Senate District 5.
— Sen. Mark Noland, R-Bigfork
Reproductive rights on the ballot
Montana’s 1999 Armstrong ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court protects a woman’s right to privacy and access to abortion before fetal viability. It states, “unrelenting pressure from individuals and organizations promoting their own beliefs” are not permissible and are “morally indefensible.” Yet the Montana Republican trifecta have wasted a lot of time and taxpayer money passing laws to limit women’s reproductive health care.
Three laws invaded privacy, intimidated women with intrusive unwarranted medical procedures and restricted medication abortion by requiring two in-person visits to a provider in a state that spans 500 miles and has few abortion providers. All three laws were deemed unconstitutional and permanently blocked.
Because of unrelenting actions by Republican lawmakers in Montana, the Constitutional Initiative Cl-128 proposed ballot measure is being circulated for signatures to place it on the ballot. If approved, it will codify reproductive rights in the state Constitution.
Across Montana, signature gathering volunteers are facing paid agitators opposing Cl-128 supported by the Montana Family Foundation. These individuals are following volunteers, interrupting conversations, and videotaping them even though state law prohibits physical intimidation of signature gatherers for ballot issues.
Cl-128 volunteers will not be deterred.
Check your voter registration at: vote.gov. Make sure your vote counts.
— Betty Kuffel, Whitefish
Regier a good man
Why is it imperative that you spend your vote to re-elect Mr. Matt Regier, current speaker of the House, to the Senate? Having known Matt for 37 years, I feel qualified.
Matt is a native of the Flathead. He knows very well our people, environment, schools, government, businesses, energy needs and roads.
Matt is intelligent, considerate, fair, principled and uniquely qualified to serve us in the Senate. Last legislative session Matt worked tirelessly to get the maximum tax credit back to us taxpayers possible and he found success, he increased our available money for tax rebates by $100 million.
Matt is a good man. I highly recommend voting him into the Senate
— Rep. Terry Falk, R-Kalispell
Tracy a time-tested volunteer for HD 11
As a former trustee for Bigfork School District 38, I had the privilege of working with Rob Tracy, transportation director, on a number of issues. Rob was instrumental in working with myself, parents and school staff to reroute several of our school bus routes to make them safer for the loading and unloading of students. Rob worked collectively with Flathead County Commissioners, Lake County, Highway Patrol, the Sheriff’s Office and Montana Department of Transportation to lower speed limits around the Bigfork and Swan Schools.
Rob also would volunteer to drive school bus for Creston School District on occasion when needed.
Rob has a heart for our children and their safety, exemplified by working to incorporate seatbelts and testifying to the Legislature in Helena for extended stop arms which led to a law requiring them on all school buses in Montana.
He was consistently under budget with transportation purchases. Rob saved over $20,000 per year without sacrificing safety or reliability of equipment.
Rob was always thorough in his presentations and requests to the board of trustees for bus barn expenditures. In the years that I dealt with him, he exhibited great character, work ethic and sound judgment. He has a great capacity to listen and to mediate in the best interests of all and will make a great Representative for House District 11.
Please vote for Rob Tracy.
— Jessica Martinz, Bigfork