Letters to the editor Oct. 17

The rest of the story

Tim Sheehy is not some rich guy who drifted into Montana from the east or west coast, he is from Minneapolis.

Tim and his wife, Carmen, served 10 years in the military. Tim as a Navy SEAL and special force ops: Afghanistan and Iraq of special note. Carmen was a Marine officer. Tim was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star (with a V for valor). Debilitating injuries prevented Tim from returning to special force ops, so he and his wife decided to take a new path and build a life and business consistent with their values. 

Tim decided to start a surveillance business that would be of assistance to law enforcement, Forest Service and ranchers. He and his wife had $400,000. They bought a twin-engine aircraft ($150,000 and 60 acres with no buildings. It turned out that the a/c would not would not qualify for work intended and to bring up to certificate standards would cost more than justified. 

By chance, Tim met a guy that suggested he try to get a/c that would allow him to fly initial attack on wildfires. This led to starting his present business, Bridger Aerospace, out of Bozeman. He also had, with the help of an engineering friend, developed infrared cameras and drones. This business he then sold for $350,000,000. 

This was not some rich guy coming to Montana and causing your taxes and property value to rise. This was a smart individual who made possible 300 jobs. He also is a terrific negotiator, as he had to be to deal with the government and state regulators. 

— Lanny Gorman, Kalispell

There are other options

I should have been aborted, but my mother chose to keep me. That decision blessed her with seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren who are an important part of our society. 

One is a teacher for approximately 20 years in Kalispell’s public schools. One is an elementary principal. One is a business woman in a major company. One oversees global research for cures for cancer. One is a Fast Ferry captain who takes people to and from work in Seattle. One is a UPS driver and delivers your orders and Christmas presents. Finally, one is the longest serving worker at Kalispell’s Mod Pizza and longest volunteer at Habitat for Humanity ReStore. All this because one baby was given the chance to live.

Reproductive choice needs to be made before the pregnancy. There is an abundance of birth control devices and medications. If these don’t work, perhaps the child is meant to be. 

Look at Special Olympics. There is a huge society of differently abled individuals that have parents who are proud of them and love them. Our lives have been enriched because we have a son with Down Syndrome. Yes, there are challenges. Challenges are meant to be conquered, and not just eliminated. 

There are other options than abortion. Clear Choice Clinic and Hope Pregnancy provide free counseling, sonograms, childcare classes and even a place to stay for mother and baby. 

The living baby in the womb can be like Kamala Harris who tells of her middle class background or J.D. Vance who refers to his hillbilly roots. They were given the chance to live, and they are successful because of what they did with their own lives. 

The doctors told me that one of my children would have many problems including blindness. He’s the ferry captain and has never worn glasses or contacts. The doctors told me of Down Syndrome and the array of problems that come with it. My son can read the Bible, sings in choirs, works, and is my pride and joy. 

I’m nearing 80 years old and each morning I’m greeted with a big smile, a huge hug, and called “mommy.” Perhaps you will be invited to the White House when your child is elected.

Give each fetus a chance. Vote no on CI-128.

— Susan Stark, Kalispell

Energy policy

In Reading the article by Sen. Steve Daines in Sunday’s paper (Biden, Harris energy policies threaten Montana) advocating for burning coal like they do in China, it would seem there isn’t anything called climate change and we should follow China’s lead. 

Power plants not using coal is not caused by President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris or Sen. Jon Tester, it is because natural gas is cheaper to use, period.

Daines is just one rich-out-of-stater — California — advocating to elect another rich out-of-stater Sheehy, from Minnesota, so Montana does not have anyone representing Montana that was actually from Montana and understands the day to day of living here.

— Dennis McDowell, Bigfork

Property tax

“Why should the residents of 30 years ago determine part of your property tax mills?” Candidate Matt Regier for SD5 (Daily Inter Lake Voter Guide, Oct. 11).

Regier’s question should have been answered for him early during his considerable tenure in the Montana House of Representatives.  

Revisiting bond issue elections before the end of the term of the bond issue is akin to requiring mortgage borrowers and lenders to periodically renew the terms of their home loans. Both parties would be subject to the unknowns of future interest rates, inflation factors and changing market values. This uncertainty would mean either shorter mortgage periods and higher payments or higher interest rates at the get-go to compensate for higher risks.

Bond issues for capital projects, presume that the projects will last at least 30 years. They allow local governments and school districts to plan for growth and execute needed infrastructure improvements in a fiscally sound way with voter approval. Delayed or failed capital bond issues usually result in reduced services and higher future project costs, which ultimately are passed on to the property taxpayers.

The Legislature could revoke the power of county governments to pass without a vote of the people an annual permissive tax levy for county employee health care benefits. But first, maybe it should get a grip on the whole “system.”

— Margaret S Davis, Lakeside