Letters to the editor May 28

A candidate of integrity

I’m writing to support Derek Peachey for Montana House District 3. 

In today’s political climate, it requires a lot of guts to publicly share one’s political opinions, but downright courage to run for office. Derek Peachey is a man of integrity and principle. He stands for upholding the virtues of family, a healthy community and growing economic opportunities for all. 

Derek doesn’t just claim those things, he lives them. It’s evident in his beautiful family, his success in business and his contributions to Whitefish. More than ever, we need people in Helena that fight for virtue. 

When I fill out my ballot on June 2, I’m voting for people with integrity like Derek Peachey.

— Marcus Duffey, Whitefish

Public image matters

As voters prepare to choose the next justice of the peace in Flathead County, we should ask whether a candidate’s conduct, priorities and public image reflect the seriousness of the position.

Tim Wenz, our current sitting judge, has publicly acknowledged that DUI recidivism is one of the biggest problems facing our courts. In a KGEZ interview, he discussed repeat offenders and suggested stricter penalties may be necessary. Those statements would carry more weight if his public conduct consistently reflected the seriousness of the issue.

Judge Wenz remains associated with an annual golf tournament using the slogan “Amateur Golf by Professional Beer Drinkers.” This is not a private gathering among friends. It is a public event connected to the image of a sitting judge who presides over alcohol related criminal cases while our community continues to deal with DUI deaths and repeat offenders. Messaging matters.

No one is arguing that adults cannot drink responsibly. The concern is that judges are expected to uphold public confidence, integrity and professionalism both inside and outside the courtroom. If a sitting judge publicly embraces the image of a “professional beer drinker,” the public should at least expect messaging that emphasizes responsibility, designated drivers, prevention and accountability. Instead, there has been silence. And it is loud.

There are also concerns about whether important tools such as alcohol monitoring procedures and remote breath testing standards are being fully utilized. Voters should expect attentiveness, accuracy and meaningful action from someone with decades of legal experience and a year on the bench. Experience should produce results, not excuses.

Flathead County deserves judges who demonstrates professionalism, sound judgment and accountability at all times. Experience alone is meaningless if it is not paired with serious attention to the responsibilities of the office and the people our courts are meant to serve.

— Marinella Steccone, Columbia Falls

Trump’s slush fund

The Republican Party once stood for justice under the rule of law. This is no longer the case. 

The $1.7 billion “slush” fund for President Trump’s friends is outrageous. This payout could even award those who attacked our Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. In addition, this inside deal includes exempting Trump and his family from being audited by the IRS. 

No American citizen has such an exemption nor should they. This settlement designed by Trump’s Justice Department for the president is one of the most corrupted actions in recent American history.  

Hopefully, Montana’s congressional delegation will show some independence from the president and speak out against this political abuse.

— Jim and Sue Swab, Kalispell

Character and heart

I am honored to write this letter of endorsement for Cheryl Hohman as she runs for Flathead County clerk and recorder. 

I have known Cheryl for 38 years — through long days working together, afternoons supporting local businesses, cheering at community sports events, enjoying the arts or simply walking together through all seasons and every kind of weather. I’ll never forget one walk we took on a sunny spring afternoon that ended in a full-on snowstorm — by the time we finished, we were laughing so hard we were grateful we had our sunglasses to use as goggles. That story perfectly captures Cheryl’s humor, resilience and ability to make even the most unpredictable days joyful.

Cheryl is one of the most committed public servants I know. With more than 30 years of experience in Flathead County government, she brings not only deep knowledge of the system but also a genuine passion for helping people. Accuracy, fairness and transparency have always been priorities for Cheryl, and she understands the critical role the Clerk and Recorder’s Office plays in maintaining public records, supporting elections and serving residents across the county.

What makes Cheryl especially remarkable is her combination of experience, character and heart. She believes local government works best when it serves people efficiently and communicates openly. She takes pride in helping community members navigate county services and ensuring everything is done correctly — always with a listening ear, a steady hand and a genuine smile.

Beyond her professional work, Cheryl is a creative, caring and community-minded friend and neighbor. She is an avid gardener, decorator and creator, bringing beauty and warmth wherever she goes. She actively supports local sports, the arts and events that strengthen our community, often including family and friends along the way. Cheryl understands the value of connection, the joy of celebrating community successes together and the importance of showing up—no matter the season or the weather.

Flathead County deserves leaders who understand the responsibility of maintaining public records, supporting fair and secure elections and serving residents with professionalism and heart. Cheryl has the experience, integrity and dedication to do exactly that. I have no doubt she will continue to serve our community with the same care, warmth, humor and steadfast commitment that she has shown over nearly four decades.

I proudly support Cheryl Hohman for Flathead County clerk and recorder and encourage others to do the same.

— Amy Quinn, Whitefish

Player recruitment

I am an educator at Glacier High School. I have been in the Kalispell school district for the last 25 years. I have coached basketball at Kalispell Middle School, softball and football at Flathead and Glacier, and for the last nine years, eighth-grade football at Kalispell Middle School. 

I have seen high school coaches recruit middle school players by writing letters to their parents and talking to individuals after practice. One coach offered varsity playing time by the time players were sophomores — if they came to his school. That is blatant recruiting.  

I never saw Grady Bennett recruit in these last nine years.

Parents can choose where they want their children to go to school. If I had children who were gifted in a certain area, I might want them to have the best opportunity to excel at the highest level. I might check out different schools in my area that had outstanding programs. I might go through the allowable steps to enroll my child at that school. I might even want my child to meet the director of a program to start building relationships. That is not recruiting by the director; that is a parent doing what they think is right for their child. Parents don’t know the MHSA rules.

If running a successful program that treats kids right, makes deep playoff runs and consistently competes for state titles is recruiting, then I guess Coach Bennett is guilty of that. If his program went 3-6 or 5-4 and lost in the first round of the playoffs every year, nobody would care, but success brings scrutiny. 

I appreciate the fact that coach Bennett has taken this ordeal with grace and humility. The MHSA should clarify the language in their bylaws to reflect the reality of open enrollment and parental rights.

— Joel Bemis, Kalispell

Election reporting

I would like to commend the Daily Inter Lake for such amazing recent articles outlining not only the safety of the upcoming elections but the intricacy of the voting information shared. 

There have been several excellent news spreads discussing the people responsible, the safety of the  process, the manner and care in counting the ballots, and even a full page how-to vote article. 

I hope that anyone who has even the least doubt about this process in Montana has their fears assuaged. If there are people out there who still insist that this process is flawed or able to be tampered with, I have no idea what would convince you otherwise unless bothering to read and research is too much. 

I am proud to support our local excellent newspaper staff and their dedication to us in the Flathead Valley.

— Jill Mueth, Kalispell