Letters to the editor March 3

Sheriff challenger

I see with amusement and awe that our Sheriff Brian Heino has drawn an opponent from the wackadoodle Flathead Republican politburo. A party that illustrates difficulties stacking dice, has allowed a Montana newby law enforcement retread from a deep Democrat Virginia agency. 

Her activities involving the Flathead women’s gaggle within the Flathead County Republican Central Committee has easily pulled the wool over the eyes of that mess. That party has given the county a long stream of half-stepping political climbers with questionable conservative backgrounds. 

Sheriff Heino has developed into a strong, well-informed, positive leader of a county organization that has turned the corner from his flotsam predecessor's shenanigans.

— Norman Nunnally, Columbia Falls

Abell’s tenure

Mr. Brad Abell, one of our sitting Flathead County commissioners, in his announcement of candidacy for a second six-year term, cited his support of law enforcement as a major recommendation for a second term. That support would seem to be more philosophical than a real results accomplishment. You will likely agree that good county law enforcement requires effective deputies, county prosecutors, District Court judges and a penal facility (jail).

Our Sheriff’s Office functions amazingly well considering the times we live in, though it is clearly understaffed for the geographic and population size and the growth of the county (Mr. Abell’s budget). However, if one talks with the deputies, there is a serious morale problem based on the other components of our justice system.

Anyone who pays attention to the news or is exposed to bad actors in their neighborhood knows that there is a problem in the county attorney’s office and justice center. Hardly a week passes without another plea bargain or Alford plea in which a deal is offered for a lesser charge and/or sentence for a guilty plea by the perpetrator. This frequently results in a partial or completely suspended sentence, often resulting in the other weekly news: repeat offenders. Our District Court judges are complicit. These plea deals must be accepted by them, and they ultimately determine the severity and length of the sentence.

Both of these “foundations of justice” blame insufficient manpower (Mr. Abell’s budget) and the lack of jail space for putting criminals back among us. Jail space has been a problem for the last 25 years. It was critical when Mr. Abell took office six years ago, as it was for both the other commissioners when they took office. While Mr. Abell is proud of his support of the future jail, it will likely be too small for current needs, let alone those of our rapidly growing county.

Congratulations to Mr. Abell for his willingness to be a commissioner and endure the countless meetings that term involves. However, he has had six years to give us the leadership to provide adequate policing and prosecutorial manpower, and an adequate jail for the future, none of which were accomplished. His “good fiscal shape” county ignores numerous other problems, including out of control, unplanned development (especially in unzoned areas), development loopholes, unenforced county regulations and statutes in a host of areas (seasonal rentals, sanitation permitting, subdivision regulations, business licensing, bed tax collection), the chaotic 911 system, lack of uniform compatible EMS/fire radio systems, workforce housing, care of the poorest (homeless, shelterless and hungry), and a local hospital system that was given away to a Billings Clinic to its obvious detriment, just to name a few. 

Maybe it is time for Mr. Abell to let someone else have a go at these problems?

— Dan Diamond, Teakettle Mountain