Letters to the editor Aug. 17

Wolf mismanagement

As a wildlife biologist, I’ve studied wolves in the wild for over 30 years, mostly in Montana.  Since Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks took over wolf management from the federal government in 2011, management policies have become increasingly more aggressive toward wolves.  

Recently, the state passed legislation and modified hunting guidelines to eradicate wolves from Montana. They are one legislative session away from accomplishing their goal.  

Over the years, scientists, myself included, have reviewed FWP wolf population data and confirmed that FWP has never been able to demonstrate they can accurately count the number of wolves living in Montana. Nevertheless, FWP wants to kill up to 600 wolves next hunting season. The science shows that this will have severe environmental consequences.  

All apex predators are known to affect the entire ecosystem through trophic cascading, a “top-down” effect in which wolves influence multiple levels below them in a food web. Wolves determine the diseases that are expressed, water quality, the type of grass species, alter the general landscape, maintain healthy prey populations, and regulate their own population levels.  Wolf packs interact to form regions of packs, therefore, their trophic cascading effects are widespread. Wolf management destroys the continuity of this process by killing entire packs and individuals. The result is a management plan to eliminate wolves based on making money from hunting permits and catering to people who hate wolves. By default, wolf management causes environmental degradation.

If the general public wants to keep their wolves they will have to fight for them.  People must become much more active by sending FWP their comments, phone calls, emails, letters, organize protests and rallies, and push this momentum forward.  

Otherwise, the result will be continued environmental destruction and the loss of one of the most highly evolved and consequential species on earth.

— Jay Mallonee, Troy

Davison for mayor

In these times of unprecedented growth, effective, conscientious leadership is more vital than ever before. And electing proven community leaders is crucial. 

That’s why I’m grateful Kisa Davison is running for mayor. I have the privilege of serving on the Kalispell Business Improvement District board with Kisa. During her tenure as our board president she has proven to be a dedicated, thoughtful, informed leader. She is a tireless advocate for our city, our business and property owners, as well as our residents and visitors. 

Kisa is the person we need leading Kalispell. She is a longtime resident, owner of multiple businesses and properties, and is committed to our values. I can think of no person so well-equipped and able to guide us through this time of growth. 

Please join me in voting for Kisa Davison for mayor of Kalispell.

— Marshall Noice, Kalispell

Restoring common sense

In the last presidential election, 75% of Flathead registered voters participated and 65% voted for Donald Trump. I was one of them. Not because I like his style or rhetoric, but because I support his actions. His first six months proved my instincts correct.  

While the 32% of you who supported Kamala Harris and before her addled President Biden cheered as your liberal politicians and freaky activists supported transgender people in womens sports and childhood mutilations, open borders with free entry for  thousands or more of rapists, murderers, traffickers (drugs and humans), gang members, and possibly terrorists and spies, defunding police, college and city antisemitism and climate hysteria among other liberal dogma, I prayed that this liberal insanity had swung so far left that our beloved America would have to course correct or be doomed to the ash heap of other failed civilizations.  

Thank God we are finally restoring some common sense to our country on the eve of its 250th anniversary. 

But I have some advice for you 32% who support liberal politicians like the squad and its newest member, Delia Ramirez, who recently stated that she is Guatemalan first and American second. For a woman born and raised in Chicago whose parents were illegal immigrants fleeing their crime infested country to take advantage of her anchor baby status, I have some advice.  After taking advantage of our great country and its benefits, go back to Guatemala, that country you claim as your heritage and to which you have zero connection. Experience your “Guatemalan first” first-hand and settle there.  

I as one proud American don’t want you or any of the rest of your squad who claim loyalty to Palestine or Somalia or any country other than the one which has provided you so many outstanding opportunities. Good riddance.

— David Myerowitz, Columbia Falls