Page 28 - Flathead Beacon // 4.27.16

NOTES FROM THE HINTERLANDS 30 DRAWING BOARD 31 Viewpoints
LETTERS
Libby Mayor: I Won’t Resign Over Misinformation
Wow, quite the uproar in one of our area newspapers. Seems they believe that I have done all manner of evil deeds. Anything to sell newspapers, I guess.
I don’t respond to news articles or malicious blogs. They are so mislead- ing and patently false, my time is better spent elsewhere. In this case, I am going to make an exception, in order to dispel the confusion that has been generated.
I never appointed Dave Tennant as city attorney, period.
His rm expressed interest in the appointment, but they wanted a three- month trial period to see if it was some- thing they would like to try on a more permanent basis.
The city was in a serious situation of having to dismiss currently sched- uled prosecutions because of speedy trial rights of the defendants. I hired their rm temporarily to make sure that didn’t happen. They have recently expressed their desire to accept the appointment and their appointment will be placed on the next meeting of council for their approval as per state code.
Some members of council had expressed a desire for more informa- tion, so in order to accomplish better communications with them I asked two of the newest members to lunch. It seems they were confused and shocked. They should have been confused, as they have only been on council a short time, and the depth of the issues we dis- cussed (budget, revenues and how they are generated, water and wastewater department, etc.) are quite daunting. Yes, one other member of council was there along with our city administra- tor to help answer any questions that I might not have an answer to.
Three members of council do not constitute a quorum to conduct busi- ness, by statute, period.
The mayor has no vote on council, by city charter, except to break a tie vote of the members. The two who were shocked by this were mistaken concern- ing the alleged “illegal meeting,” which is understandable considering their short tenure on council.
I will not, I repeat, not tender my res- ignation nor be intimidated by a threat of a recall election based on false and inaccurate accusations by a small group of individuals hell-bent on destroying anyone who gets in their way. I will con- fess that council proceedings have not been a fun time for me, either. There
is much stress involved for my fam- ily while I have done my best to try to steer the council down a path away from those who only live in controversy. Ulti- mately, my goal is to see Libby prosper.
I would like to close this statement by saying, “thank you” to everyone who has communicated their support for me. It is much appreciated and helps consider- ably in our e orts to make Libby a bet- ter place.
Doug Roll, mayor Libby
Regier’s Conservative Record is Clear
It is my great pleasure to endorse Representative Keith Regier as candi- date for Montana’s Senate District 3.
I have immense respect for Rep. Regier, and have personally experienced his personal integrity, strong work ethic, professionalism, and dedication to representing the interests of his con- stituents on the signi cant issues facing all of us residing in western Montana.
Rep. Regier’s conservative record is clear, and speaks for itself. He approaches his responsibilities fully prepared, and tackles signi cant issues with diligent research and thor- ough understanding. He has success- fully introduced legislation intended to provide appropriate solutions and responses to the issues and concerns of his constituents and the public.
He brought strong leadership during his tenure in the House of Representa- tives and will be an excellent Senator.
I encourage folks to vote for Keith Regier for Montana Senate District 3. His representation of the people has proven to be an outstanding example of what a representative republic is meant to be.
Terry Backs St. Ignatius
Help End Trapping on Montana’s Public Lands
Because commercial and recre- ational trapping is legal on our state’s public lands, one-third of Montana is no longer safe to use. Dogs’ paws and noses are mangled in traps. They’re a haz- ard for children. And every year thou- sands of otters, mink, foxes, and even wolves and eagles, su er slow and pain- ful deaths due to the trapping industry’s use of our public lands.
For example, while hiking at Round Meadows one family came upon a trap- per’s work site – a bloody pile of river otters’ skinned bodies. The family was
so sickened and traumatized they vowed to never return.
Another family’s dog was injured in a trap in the Stillwater State Forest while they were out harvesting a Christmas tree. Traps are so well-hidden in the brush or snow that it’s impossible to keep an eye out for them.
Trapping is also legal at the Smith Lake Waterfowl Production Area. The muskrat lodges at Smith Lake now appear to be empty, and due to the traps local families say they’ve discontinued their tradition of skiing and taking their dogs on the frozen lake.
On a popular trail near Bridger Bowl in Bozeman, a mountain biker’s front tire was caught in a snare. He barely missed severe injury when landing next to the rebar staking the line. To his right was a dead magpie in a snare. To his left was a coyote in another snare, chewing o his trapped foot. This isn’t unusual: One out of four animals caught by a trap will gnaw o their trapped limb.
Trappers try to misinform the pub- lic by saying trapping is related to hunt- ing. But actually hunters, their chil- dren, and their hunting dogs are prey for traps as well. Unlike trappers, hunt- ers follow a code of ethics, such as aim- ing for a clean kill and only killing their target animal. Meanwhile, studies show that for every one target animal killed in a trap, two non-targeted animals are killed – deemed “trash” animals in trap- per lingo.
Montana has no trap check require- ments, meaning animals su er in the traps for many days and nights before they’re discovered. Besides the intense pain caused by the trap, these animals are left to su er cold and hunger while being vulnerable to predators. If fur- bearers are alive when a trapper nds them, they’re often killed in torturous ways to prevent damage to the pelts: They might be drowned, bludgeoned with a shovel, strangled, or stomped to death.
If you want this to end, we need your help getting the Montana Trap-Free Public Lands Initiative (I-177) on the ballot this November. To learn more about I-177, to volunteer or to make a much-needed donation, visit http:// www.montanatrapfree.org. We must have 25,000 signatures statewide by mid-June to get this on the ballot, with a goal of 4,100 from registered voters in Flathead County. Every dollar and sig- nature will help!
Amanda Lanier White sh
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APRIL 27, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM
LETTERS
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