Page 26 - Flathead Beacon // 5.18.16

LIKE I WAS SAYING 30 AMERICAN RURAL 30 DRAWING BOARD 31 Viewpoints
LETTERS
Holmquist Has Proven Record
I urge you to vote for Pam Holmquist for Flathead County commissioner. Pam has a proven record of protect- ing our freedoms, our property rights and working to create an environment friendly to business and job growth in Flathead County. Pam has consistently voted against county tax increases and has fought hard to protect our property rights. Pam created and promoted the property owners’ “bill of rights” that is now included in the Flathead County Growth Policy. Pam fought hard for six years in her successful e ort to restore representation to property owners in the White sh doughnut area. Pam opposed the CSKT water compact and has been steadfast in her e ort to pro- tect the water rights of the citizens of Flathead County. Pam worked hard and promoted the Evergreen zoning overlay to make Flathead County regulations friendlier in creating business and job opportunities in the Evergreen area.
We need to keep Pam Holmquist in the commissioners’ o ce; she is a cham- pion for protecting our freedoms and our individual rights. Please join me in supporting Pam Holmquist for Flathead County Commissioner in the upcoming primary election in June.
Je H. Larsen Lakeside
No One Better for County Commission than Harmon
I lived in the Flathead Valley for 15 years and since moving away in 1999, I have missed the friendly people and wholesome lifestyle of Flathead County. I miss being around people with big hearts, common sense, solid values, and community pride.
When I heard that my friend Tim Harmon was running for Flathead County commissioner, I was delighted to write this letter of support. Tim rep- resents everything I love about the Flat- head Valley. He is an honest, hard-work- ing man who has lived through his share of ups and downs in Flathead County, where he has run two small businesses, and raised two kids with Tammy (his lovely wife of 34 years). He is a respon- sible and proud gun owner and an avid outdoorsman. He has practical, well-de- veloped ideas for the growth and sus- tainability of Flathead County, and he is willing to listen and collaborate with an open mind and heart. In my humble opinion, there is no one better for Flat- head County commissioner.
Tim may not be the most experienced politician at the table, but I know from personal experience that you will get
his complete attention and full deliber- ation on each issue, and he will not be pushed to make rash decisions because of “group think” or peer pressure. He is the kind of guy who will weigh all deci- sions with a big heart, common sense, solid values, and community pride.
I highly recommend Tim Harmon for Flathead County commissioner.
Dr. Eric F. Donaldson Silver Spring, Maryland
O cials Supporting Compact are Protecting Montana’s Water Users
In a recent opinion Verdell Jackson poses the question, “Will Steve Bullock and Tim Fox ght for Montana citizens against tribal or federal government overreach?”
The answer is simple. Yes – because they already have. By supporting the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Water Compact both Governor Steve Bullock and Attorney General Fox have worked to protect water users across Montana.
It is abundantly clear that the elected o cials who support the compact do so because it not only protects individual water right holders from costly litiga- tion, but also protects our state from federal overreach.
The negotiated agreement clearly de nes the federally reserved water rights of the Tribes and includes pro- tections for those with existing water rights. The Montana Constitution is the guiding document governing the CSKT water compact and gives Montana con- trol of our state’s water. The compact has provisions that allow for the sys- tem to adapt water usage in times of water shortage for mutual bene t of all parties.
For instance, without the compact, the federal government could limit the amount of water available for irrigation in order to ensure species such as the bull trout have su cient instream ow water to prosper. With the compact, the decisions on how water is managed in times of drought are placed in the hands of Montanans.
By ling suit to stop the compact, the Flathead Joint Board of Control (FJBC) is putting Montana’s water users at risk and subjecting the waterways of our state to more federal control than would be allowed under the provisions of the compact.
In his opinion Verdell attempts to justify the lawsuit of the FJBC by saying that the compact provides an “uncon- stitutional waiver of immunity” which prevents the state from being sued. The aw in this argument is that, by de ni- tion, “waiving immunity” means that the state can be sued. If an entity has
immunity, then that entity cannot be held liable. If an entity waives immu- nity, as stated in the compact, it allows the entity to be sued and held liable.
The FJBC lawsuit is nothing more than a last-ditch e ort by compact oppo- nents to force uncertainty and litigation on Montana’s water users at the expense of the Flathead irrigators whose irriga- tion fees are funding the FJBC’s frivo- lous legal escapade. Thankfully we have elected o cials like Bullock and Fox who are willing to put aside their di er- ences and work together to protect Mon- tana’s water users.
Tim Fox and Steve Bullock have fought to protect Montana’s water users. Verdell, it is you with your inaccurate opinion pieces about the CSKT Water Compact that are the problem.
Sen. Bruce Tutvedt Kalispell
Senate District 3 Needs Keith Regier
Montana needs Keith Regier’s lead- ership in the Senate. During the time I served with Keith in the Legislature, I found him to be a man who can be trusted to do what he says he will do and will follow through on his commit- ments. Keith is true to his convictions and will not be in uenced by outside interests and lobbyists.
In 2015 Keith’s leadership was rec- ognized by his peers as he was elected to represent the Republicans as major- ity leader in the Montana House of Rep- resentatives. As majority leader, Keith provided guidance, advice and leader- ship to both new and seasoned legisla- tors. Keith’s knowledge of both the sub- stance of the legislation and of the legis- lative process were essential to advanc- ing the goals of the Republican majority in the House.
As the chair of House Appropria- tions, I was especially appreciative of the fact that Keith was always aware of the nancial implications of the pend- ing bills and ensured they were directed to the House Appropriations committee before the nal vote. Balancing the com- peting priorities of 100 legislators is no easy task, but Keith was successful in developing and tracking the Republi- can priorities throughout the session. This process, facilitated through Keith’s leadership, was critical to achieving the Republican goals.
The thoughtful, knowledgeable lead- ership of Keith Regier makes him the best candidate for Senate District 3.
Rep. Nancy Ballance Hamilton
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MAY 18, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM
LETTERS
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