Page 26 - Flathead Beacon // 5.21.14

26 | MAY 21, 2014
FLATHEADBEACON.COM

OPINION

TOP 10

LETTERS
when voting on bills that would have ordinances and resolutions on behalf of
a lasting efect on the state’s economy. the city after council approval; 4) Perform
ONLINE STORIES
During the past session, as Speaker of the ceremonial functions as mayor of the city
House, he navigated the House through of Kalispell; 5) Perform any other duties
some very diicult and controversial speciically designated by ordinance
FLATHEADBEACON.COM
legislation. For most legislators being or resolution. Jane Howington had the
FISHER THE VOICE WE NEED IN in the position of speaker is on-the-job foresight to help the City of Kalispell to
HELENA
training, but for Mark it was a natural have a plan for long-term stability for the
When I took the oath of oice as Remington Closing progression. He’s a successful small taxpayers. I ind that public comments
mayor of Kalispell last January, I was in Montana Rileman business owner who hires, manages and made by our current Mayor Mark
the envious position of inheriting a city Facility in Kalispell
trains people. He knows the importance Johnson and other Fisher supporters
in a great position to move into the future Investigation of jobs, inance and family.
are disingenuous, untrue in nature, and
due to the dedicated eforts of outgoing Underway into Fire at Here’s a man that runs a business, has should not be giving Tammi Fisher credit
Mayor Tammi Fisher. Because of Tammi’s a wonderful family and is truly a citizen for the inancial surplus that the city has
commitment and unique ability to work Glacier High School
legislator. He thoroughly understands currently.
with eight council members with diverse the legislative system and knows what it Be informed voters, search out the
backgrounds, our iscal house is in order. Walsh Introduces takes to get the best conservative results. truth and ind out about the issues that
We have a balanced budget, our reserves Bill to Exempt National
have been restored to their target levels, Parks, Public Lands As I said, you can’t go wrong with Blasdel Senate District 4 candidates stand for
from Shutdown
for SD 4.
in this race. Join me in supporting Mark
inefective and inhibiting transportation Bill Beck, former HD 6 representative Blasdel on June 3. Mark’s proven record
impact fees were eliminated and our 100 Years of the Merc
Whiteish
as Speaker of the House, 100 percent vote
local government was right sized without of both Democrats and Republicans on
reducing the level of services. These are COLUMN: Primary SETTING THE RECORD House Bill 2 (budget) and eight years of
all accomplishments of a dedicated mayor STRAIGHT: I DID NOT ACT ALONE
serving over 40 percent of the voters in
who worked with her council to set the Brouhaha
Please accept this brief editorial Senate District 4 can be veriied.
policy for the city manager to implement.
response to clear up a misperception that
Whiteish Mountain Lavonne Larson
Now that I am in the position to Resort Responds
I should be credited individually with Kalispell
work with a great council and represent to Tree Well Death accomplishments made in Kalispell.
the taxpayers of Kalispell I have had the Lawsuit
Kalispell’s iscal recovery was a team PIERSON DESERVES YOUR
opportunity to review the important efort that could not have been achieved SUPPORT
issues that face Kalispell and assess who Landowner without a dedicated team of municipal Don’t miss out on the opportunity to
I think will be best suited to represent Applies for Flathead employees or, just as important, a fully vote for the most qualiied individuals to
us in the state senate. As a city we have engaged city council headed by a strong serve Flathead County.
many issues with infrastructure funding, Lake Bridge Permit and supportive mayor. Much like a On the upcoming ballot we
Amendment
environmental regulations and the quarterback, Mayor Tammi Fisher wholeheartedly support Debra (Debbie)
impact they will have on our utility rates, Lady of the Stream
worked diligently with her council Pierson for Flathead County clerk and
the redevelopment of our downtown core teammates to provide the legislative recorder. Pierson, currently employed by
area and south Kalispell corridor, and Breaking Into the support necessary to remedy and re- Flathead County as a grant administrator,
further improvement of business friendly Cross-Laminated build union relations, intergovernmental has a communication degree from the
policies to grow private enterprise jobs. Timber Industry
partnerships and the initiation of University of Montana and has worked
As I look at these issues and the initiatives renewed talks between rural ire districts many years with nonproit organizations,
I will undertake with our council to Downey Leaving and the city’s water enterprise fund. No such as American Red Cross and Special

address them, I believe that Tammi is Bigfork After Historic one can create municipal change alone. Olympics.
the voice we need in Helena. From the Season to Coach It takes a team and Mayor Fisher was Debbie’s ability to communicate
funding issues we face to the speciic laws Whiteish
the legislative leader during a time when efectively makes her an excellent
that add unfunded mandates on you, the Kalispell’s team made some very positive candidate for the Clerk and Recorder
taxpayers of Kalispell, Tammi is uniquely change for the city as well as the greater position. She has a dedicated work ethic
suited to tackle those issues for us.
Kalispell community.
and always strives to be impartial and
Given the scope and breadth of Tammi Jane Howington, former city manager understanding when it comes to dealing
LETTERS
Fisher’s work while mayor of Kalispell it Kalispell
with people on sensitive issues and Tell us what you think. To submit a letter, please e-mail your submission
makes it easy for me to enthusiastically projects.
to [email protected]. Please
support her for Kalispell’s state Senate CITY MANAGER, NOT FISHER, Debbie, a longtime Flathead keep your letter to 300 words or less.
District 4. She will bring her strong work TURNED FINANCES AROUND
Valley resident, attended Helena Flats The Flathead Beacon reserves the right
ethic and commitment to her constituents I am writing this letter in response Elementary and graduated from Flathead to edit letters for length, clarity and
with her to Helena. I have no doubt that to so-called accomplishments of High School. While in school she ran for to prevent libel. Letters must include
Tammi Fisher is the best candidate to our past mayor, Tammi Fisher. The Flathead Fair Rodeo Queen, participated the writer’s irst and last name, phone
represent Kalispell in Helena.
accomplishments ascribed to Tammi in Flathead Backcountry Horsemen number and address for veriication
purposes. Only the name and hometown
Please join me in voting for Tammi Fisher should more properly be accredited projects and worked for the Flathead of the writer will be printed. To mail a
Fisher for state Senate District 4.
to Jane Howington, the former city National Forest on summer crews, just to letter, please send to 17 Main Street,
Mark Johnson, mayor manager. Howington’s accomplishments name a few.
Kalispell, MT 59901.
Kalispell
of building the reserves from $250,000 On the ballot don’t forget the name Fax letters to (406) 257-9231.
in 2009 to more than $1 million in July Debra Pierson. If elected, she will be a
YOU CANNOT GO WRONG WITH 2011 and negotiating the union contracts valuable addition to the Flathead county CORRECTIONS
BLASDEL
for the city employees, which helped the staf.
If a Beacon story includes a factual
error, please tell us about it. Call
I served in the Montana House for city to be a sustainable operation, was Debbie has our conidence and vote Kellyn Brown at 257-9220; or e-mail to
three terms with Mark. During that acknowledged by Fisher on November 11, Flathead County clerk and recorder. How
[email protected]; or fax to
period of time, I came to know him as 2011 in the Daily Inter Lake. Additionally, 257-9231.
about you?
a very committed, loyal and dedicated legal liabilities are handled by the city FLATHEADBEACON.COM
Jerry & Madelyn Kempf
person to the people and state of Montana. attorney, not the mayor.
For daily news, local community pages, Whiteish
He served on and chaired a number The duties of the mayor are as video, multimedia, story archives and
of committees that had a signiicant follows: 1) Preside at all city council lively online conversation, visit our Web
monetary impact on the Treasure meetings; 2) Appoint, with the consent of site at latheadbeacon.com.

State’s households. Mark always used the city council, all members of advisory
conservative logic and common sense
boards and commissions; 3) Execute all