Page 28 - Flathead Beacon // 5.18.16

LETTERS
Regier Has Earned Leadership Role
Keith Regier is the best choice for Sen- ate District 3 for many reasons. He is hon- est, hard-working and cares about our area. But there are other more import- ant reasons.
I heard his opponent say that he can bring leadership to the Montana Senate. He may think so. Lots of new candidates believe they can do all sorts of things, but in the Montana Legislature leadership must be earned.
Regier was elected by the Republican caucus to majority leader last session. Before that he also served in leadership roles. I was proud to be elected to leader- ship in 2011 and relied on Regier’s advice so many times.
Keith does not run around boasting about what he might be able to do. He has proven abilities, not hollow promises. In the Montana Senate the Committee on Committees will fast track Regier into a leadership path again. I know how they work because I served on that commit- tee. We were never impressed by the big mouth, ego-driven newcomers.
Sen. Janna Taylor Dayton
Montana Sovereignty
Farmers and Ranchers for Montana (F.A.R.M.), an organization formed and funded, at least partially by dark money, is at again. Have you heard or seen the recent media blitz across our great state touting the high praise of the Montana water compact? If you said yes, then you too are witness to the recent dark money deception. You see, there is no such thing astheMontanawatercompact.Neverhas the Montana Legislature seen, approved, or debated any such compact! Therefore it is clear that F.A.R.M. employs the dubi- ous art of deception.
The great state of Montana’s future sovereignty and future new-use water rights are under threat. Crafted as cer- tainty, the Confederated Salish and Koo- tenai Tribes Compact, aka CSKT com- pact, is the actual name of the federal threat that visits our watershed shores. So, it stands to reason that the commonly referred to Montana water compact is a federal propaganda fantasy.
Logically, a fantasy, too, is the recent blitz of advertised high praise for this grand bargain to claim most of western Montana’s future growth of new water uses into federal jurisdiction. Fact: Gov- ernor Steve Bullock supports federaliz- ing Montana’s watershed.
Fact: Bullock a rmed the appoint- ment of Chris Tweeten as chairman of the Reserved Water Rights Compact Commission (RWRCC). Fact: Bullock appointed John Tubbs as Director of the Department of Natural Resources (DNRC). Fact: the RWRCC and the DNRC simultaneously hired famed sta attorney, Melissa Hornbein, to sell, yes that’s right, to sell the CSKT compact to Montana legislators, county commis- sioners, professional organizations and to Montana citizens at privately held
and invite-only fear mongering sessions. Fact: Ms. Hornbein was a hired gun tasked to carry out Bullock’s political charge. Fact: an attorney’s mandate is to put forth the most convincing arguments on behalf of their employer.
F.A.R.M. may as well change their de ned title to match their federally aligned dubious agenda: Fraud Against Ranchers of Montana! Fact: Montan- ans will never forget and will never quit. The forever federal jurisdiction of most of Montana’s future untapped new water uses is a threat to Montana’s resource rich sovereignty.
David Passieri Saint Ignatius
Holmquist a Person of Integrity
Pam Holmquist, the Republican county commissioner running for re-election, is an outstanding county commissioner. Pam is a conservative who has run a very positive campaign. There is no question were Pam stands on the issues. Her priorities are protecting private property rights; protecting our water rights regarding the CSKT water compact; promoting and helping all busi- nesses thrive so we can provide good pay- ing jobs for Flathead County citizens; supporting our natural resource indus- tries and the good jobs they provide; providing only as much government as is necessary to protect health and safety, but no more.
Pam is a person of honesty and integ- rity who will tell you what she believes and you can count on her word. This is a rare trait for any person in public o ce these days. Pam is a successful busi- nessperson who believes in giving back to her community. She has volunteered hundreds and hundreds of hours on com- munity involvement that has bene tted her community. The voters of Flathead County are very fortunate to have a can- didate so quali ed. I am proud to support and urge you to vote for Pam Holmquist, for Flathead County commissioner.
Ardis Larsen Lakeside
Why I am Running for O ce
One of the greatest gifts my parents gave to me when I was growing up was our dinner together every evening. I real- ize now in this hectic day and age how precious these dinners were.
During dinner, we would often watch the news and discuss the issues of the day. This was back in the day when news was not partisan and it was not enter- tainment. It was simply news. When the news wasn’t shouted at you and the objec- tive was not to stoke fear and paranoia at every moment, but to inform. When news programs actually were “fair and bal- anced” and didn’t just claim to be.
From our discussions, it seemed to me that good policy and good governance actually could make a positive di erence in people’s lives. After all, isn’t that why some countries thrive and others do not? Isn’t that how America came to be in the
rst place? Because our forefathers real- ized representative government was a better alternative than tyranny?
As I talk to the folks in our community, I hear a lot of discouragement about the state of politics and government these days but I have not yet lost hope. I still believe in the power of good governance and even more in the power of people to do amazing things when given the right conditions and opportunities. I am run- ning for o ce because I want to protect what is already good and to bring about positive change where needed.
My father loved to paraphrase Win- ston Churchill saying, “Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all others.” Our system isn’t perfect but we, the people, have the power to make it better.
Melissa Hartman, candidate Senate District 3, White sh
Restore Habitat Montana for Future Generations
Being in Montana provides a unique opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. It is one reason that so many people visit the state, and certainly a big reason to live here. Much of that recreation wouldn’t be possible without public access to land, whether it be through water, national for- est, state lands, block management, or conservation easements.
Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks has been a strong advocate for increasing public access to the average recreation- ist, in part through a historically success- ful program known as Habitat Montana. Largely funded through fees from hunt- ing licenses, Habitat Montana secures land through conservation easements or outright purchase for the purpose of con- serving key wildlife habitats, increasing sportsmen access, and protecting scenic areas. For over 25 years this program has worked to give sportsmen access to pri- vate lands for hunting and shing, pro- tect key land and water resources, and conserve wildlife habitat. As a lifelong Montanan and hunter, sher, and hiker, I have personally bene ted (as have many others with the same interests) from the increased access Habitat Montana has granted.
However, the Montana Legislature in the 2015 session suspended FWP’s abil- ity to spend the money earmarked for this program for the next two years. The money is there, accumulating, with no way to be spent. For someone who enjoys the bene ts of our outdoor way of life in Montana – which wouldn’t be possible without public lands – this is unaccept- able. Let’s make sure the Legislature knows that Montanans care about pub- lic lands, and that defunding them is not an option. Restore Habitat Montana and let’s continue the ght to preserve our land, wildlife, and way of life for future generations.
Ian Cavigli Bozeman
Elect Holmquist for Wise Use of Money
Pam Holmquist has proven that she has the scal ability and the tempera- ment to be a great county commissioner. She has worked hard to meet the needs of the county and still maintain a healthy reserve.
Commissioner Holmquist said that she would protect private property rights and she has. I remember reading the draft of the property owners “bill of rights” while in Helena. I made my comments and sent it back thinking it was going to be di cult getting it passed, but because of her e orts it was included in the 2012 Flathead County Growth Policy update. She also stood rm against the Confed- erated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Water Compact to protect our water rights.
Pam has never wavered on returning representation to the White sh dough- nut residents. The county has just now completed the long process of zoning the doughnut area, giving residents the foun- dation for future use of their property.
Providing increased business oppor- tunities throughout the county, Holm- quist supported the Evergreen Enter- prise Overlay, creating more options for business growth in the Evergreen area. Also, we both actively supported the TIGER grant and the removal of the rail- road tracks in downtown Kalispell.
Holmquist has earned our vote because of her leadership and sometimes thankless hard work. Please join me in voting for her on June 7.
Verdell Jackson Kalispell
Regier Most Quali ed for State Senate
I have worked with Rep. Keith Regier for the past four sessions in the Montana State Legislature. In today’s world of pol- itics it is hard to nd someone like Keith. He is truthful, forthright, honest, and dependable. His yes means yes and his no means no. Keith is a superior statesman who proudly represents Montana. He has served the people of Montana for the past eight years and last session he was the Majority Leader of Montana’s House of Representatives. This leadership position takes superior intelligence and integrity and can only be attained if the majority of the House Republicans see you as very valuable responsible member.
During the last legislative session Keith was a calming force of reason. He is rated an “A” as a Second Amendment supporter by the NRA, supports s- cal responsibility, Montana energy, and family values. He is the best candidate for state senator in District 3.
I highly recommend that the good citizens of Senate District 3 elect Keith Regier as their next State Senator.
Sen. David Howard Park City
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