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Don’t Confuse Commissioner with Facts

Mitchell states that the Confederate Salish and Kootenai Tribes are not a part of the United States

By Marion Gerrish

This is an open letter to Montana Gov. Steve Bullock.

Dear Sir,

Please do not write letters to Flathead County Commissioner Phil Mitchell concerning an issue on which he will be voting. Don’t confuse him with facts.

He recently told the Beacon newspaper (Jan. 28: “Governor: County Commission ‘Significantly Misunderstands’ Water Compact”) that though he hadn’t yet read the governor’s letter, he was going to stand by his opinions on the water compact in question. He stated, and I quote, “It seems like you can come up with any answer from legal angles.”

Mitchell states that the Confederate Salish and Kootenai Tribes are not a part of the United States – inferring perhaps that any water compact, which includes tribal signatures, would be moot.

I am sure Mitchell may be a nice man, but these kind of issues “scare the bejeebies out of him.” And I am sure you do not want to impose those feelings on a member of the Flathead County Commission.

Marion Gerrish
Kalispell

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