Letters to the editor May 14

Airport ordinance

Flathead County Planning and Zoning is currently trying to pass Ordinance No. 10 to create an Airport Affected Area around Glacier Park International Airport. 

If you live within 2.65 miles of the airport you need to be paying attention to this. 

I believe the planning office is intentionally misleading people by telling them that this ordinance will only regulate the building of structures over 35 feet high. This is untrue. Buried in a single paragraph, this ordinance states a permit is required, “if the erection of a new structure, an existing structure is altered or repaired, or a new tree less than 35 feet in height is located within an Area of Special Interest shown in exhibit C” 

Exhibit C is a very poor map that is next to impossible to pinpoint any individual landowner’s property, but it most definitely shows almost the entire Whitefish River bluffs along Whitefish Stage almost to U.S. 93 as being in the area of special interest. Also included are areas of the Flathead river bluffs along on the other side of the valley. 

Permits go through the FAA, the airport board and Flathead County Planning and Zoning. Make no mistake, if you live within this area, this ordinance will give three separate bureaucracies veto power over how you utilize your property. 

See the proposed ordinance on Flathead County Planning and Zoning’s website and attend the meetings May 18 and 19 6 p.m. at the south campus conference room, 40 11th St. W., Ste 200 in Kalispell.

— Neil Creighton, Kalispell

Heino has built trust

I have worked at the Flathead County Detention Center for going on 13 years. For the past year and a half, I have served as one of the chief detention officers in the facility.

Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of experiencing both strong leadership and poor leadership. I have seen firsthand the effect each has on employees, officers, morale, accountability and the overall culture of a facility.

The level of accountability we hold ourselves to as officers today is unlike any I have seen. When someone makes a mistake, they are often the first to come forward and tell me what happened, regardless of what consequences may follow. That speaks volumes about the culture within the Sheriff’s Office. 

Our officers show up every day ready to do a difficult job to the best of their ability, often under challenging and unpredictable circumstances. We take pride in our work, we understand the responsibility that comes with wearing the badge and we are grateful for the opportunity each day. 

Sheriff Brian Heino has built trust with me through his exemplary leadership, consistency, and support. He has been nothing but supportive of those of us working in the detention center. He has taken the time to learn our jobs, understand the challenges we face every day, and communicate those challenges clearly to the public. His support, along with the tireless work of the jail commander, played an important role in helping the public understand the need for a new jail and ultimately helped move the jail bond forward. 

I may not live in Flathead County and therefore cannot vote in this election, but for those of you who do, I hope you have seen the humility, steady leadership, and commitment Sheriff Heino has shown during his years as sheriff. He has worked to ensure we have the tools, training, and support needed to do our jobs safely and effectively. He has been available when needed, willing to listen, and committed to helping us work through the challenges that come with this profession.

I ask the voters of Flathead County to get out and vote in the primary election on June 2. Our county, our Sheriff’s Office and the leadership of the Flathead Valley depend on it.

— Brenna Schaible, Big Arm

The next generation is here

It’s time for old timers like me to open the door and welcome the next generation of leaders. 

So you’re thinking, “Are they ready and what do they know?”  

Well, it turns out that they are more than ready.  That’s why I’m supporting Sam Forstag for Congress.  Simply put, he gets it. Working people have been forgotten while the wealthy keep getting richer. 

Sam also understands the power of people working together to solve problems. We can do this. 

I encourage you to join me and vote for Sam Forstag. 

— Jan Lombardi, Seeley Lake

Sterling the real Republican

I read Paula Robinson’s endorsement of Cheryl Hohman and I believe voters should take a closer look at what the Flathead County clerk and recorder position actually requires. 

This is not simply a job for someone with years of county employment. It is an administrative leadership position that requires proven management ability, staff supervision, sound judgment and hands-on understanding of the full scope of the office. 

From what I understand, Cheryl Hohman’s experience has been largely in GIS-related work. She does not have experience in the Recording Office or in Records Preservation, both of which are central to the clerk and recorder’s responsibilities. Voters should not confuse technical experience in one area with the leadership and broad operational knowledge required to run an entire department. 

The Recording Office is at the heart of Flathead County’s official records. Records Preservation is also essential to protecting and maintaining those records for future generations. These are not side functions. They are core parts of the office. 

This election should not be about who has simply been around the longest. It should be about who has actually managed employees, overseen operations, understood all divisions of the department and is prepared to lead on day one. 

Flathead County deserves proven leadership, not inflated campaign descriptions. 

You can always tell a person’s true political affiliations by the location of their signs. As you know, almost everyone runs as a Republican in our valley, even though their stripes are actually blue, not red.  Sheena’s opponent has multiple signs in yards of several known Democrats, including a sign on the North part of Whitefish Stage Road. The home I’m referring to always has a Ryan Busse sign in their yard, but not today. I’ll bet you the day after the primary, the Cheryl Hohman sign comes down and a Busse sign goes up. In my opinion, Cheryl is not a Republican. 

Sheena Sterling is a shining star in the courthouse. I have been employed by attorneys for 49 years in this area, including 32 years working for Kalispell attorney John Dudis, and I can assure you that Sheena has brightened the Clerk and Recorder’s Office. She has always cheerfully and professionally helped me to steer through the process. Please support Sheena Wolfe Sterling for Flathead County Clerk & Recorder.  Thank you. 

— Diane Mary Klein, Kalispell

Precinct 35 captains

I encourage you to vote for Brian and Judy Sommers for Republican precinct 35 captains, Smith Valley and south. I have taught Hunter Education with them for over 20 years. Brian is a retired game warden. They are honest, trustworthy and reasonable.

— Jim Watson, Kalispell

Republican insights

The Republican candidate Forum at FVCC provided plausible insight into Sen. Steve Daines’ strategic exit. 

Montana has long been a red state as that party hews to the core of the majority of residents. Yes, the party has dissenters, just like any family, as far back as the Civil War (one brother went blue and the other chose grey), but they remained family. It boils down to what would and is happening in the coming election. 

There would have been a Democratic rush to flood the primary, thus diluting citizen’s choices for the general. 

The candidate forum illustrated that even the Republicans threw pasties at the wall.

— Norman Nunnally, Columbia Falls