Page 28 - Flathead Beacon // 8.17.16

LIKE I WAS SAYING 30 AMERICAN RURAL 30 DRAWING BOARD 31 Viewpoints
LETTERS
Why I’m Dedicating Salary as Governor to Scholarships
It’s been less than a year since I rst announced a potential run for gover- nor of the great state of Montana. Since that time, I’ve driven over 46,000 miles across the state, meeting with Montan- ans in cafés from Ekalaka to Eureka and seeing my own bed only once or twice a week. One of the greatest joys has been staying with folks in their homes, rather than staying in hotels, because it has allowed me to really connect with fami- lies all across the state.
During one visit, a young man in the Flathead told me his story. He was the rst in his family to ever graduate from high school. He is married with two lit- tle girls. Then, with evident pride and determination, he told me he was learn- ing to weld so that he could earn a living to put a roof over the heads of his young family. This is the kind of opportunity that needs to extend to every corner of our state and to every Montanan. He was able to pursue his education thanks to one of the Gianforte Manufacturing Scholarships that my wife Susan and I started several years ago.
That’s why, last month, I announced that after I’m elected governor I won’t hold on to a salary from the state. Instead, I’m going to dedicate it toward manufacturing scholarships just like this one. I want every Montanan to have the opportunity to thrive here and pro- vide for their families. Plus, we need more focus on trades education.
Susan and I rst started the Gianforte Manufacturing Scholarships program via the Commissioner of Higher Educa- tion’s o ce a number of years ago. Since that time, over 300 veterans and lower income Montanans have bene ted. The scholarships provide 50 percent tuition assistance for welding and machining certi cates at Montana’s public two year campuses.
You may be familiar with our story. Back in the 1990’s, my wife Susan and I started a software business out of our home in Bozeman called RightNow Technologies. That small business grew to over 500 Montanans, with an average salary nearing $90,000 per year. Now, Montana’s high-tech industry is almost 15 percent of our state economy and growing seven times faster than the rest of the economy, while creating jobs with wages double the state median.
This is also why we are such strong supporters of education, and the great teachers all across Montana. Thanks in part to our e orts with CodeMontana, which o ered computer science training to all Montana high school and middle
school students, college enrollment in computer science is up over 50 percent at MSU and Tech, and over 25 percent at the UM creating brighter futures.
It is absolutely essential that we have an education system that is a ordable and prepares students for the high wage jobs of the future. But, if we want to be able to pay for a great education, we’re going to need a strong economy. Unfor- tunately, due to a lack of leadership in Helena, our state revenues are declining rapidly, our state’s GDP has declined for the last two quarters, and we are seeing high-wage job layo s across the state. It is time to grow our economy again.
Throughout my career starting and growing ve di erent companies, I have learned that satisfaction comes from understanding and focusing on how our work serves others. The greatest sat- isfaction for me, being a business guy, has come from creating challenging and worthwhile jobs for others and seeing them prosper. I want to pair Montana’s awesome way of life with a vibrant econ- omy to build better outcomes for all Montanans.
It’s time we send leaders to Helena who have a proven track record of get- ting the job done. I humbly ask for your vote on election day. I am ready to go to work and serve Montana.
Greg Gianforte Republican candidate for governor
Romano is the Right Choice
As a native Montanan who went to school in Bozeman, I know Montana stu- dents receive a high quality education. After moving out of state for work and experiencing schools outside of Mon- tana, my wife and I decided to move back to Montana to raise our family. Mon- tanans value public education, and that is why Melissa Romano, a public school teacher from Helena, is the right choice for our next Superintendent of Public Instruction.
No matter where they live in Montana, regardless of their background, every child of this state deserves a high-qual- ity education that will prepare them to succeed in life beyond the classroom. In order for that to happen, Montana needs an advocate for education and high qual- ity teaching as our Superintendent of Public Instruction. That’s what makes Melissa Romano perfect for the job.
Melissa Romano is an award-win- ning teacher, recognized locally and nationally as an outstanding educator and leader. Melissa develops rigorous lessons that challenge students to suc- ceed, lessons that are used by fellow edu- cators across the country. We need that leadership and understanding of how to challenge our youth at the helm of our
public schools. We need someone like Melissa who understands what quality instruction looks like, and understands how to motivate students to achieve beyond what even they think is possi- ble. We need someone like Melissa who will stand up for public schools, teachers and students. That’s why I’m voting for Melissa Romano for Superintendent of Public Instruction, and I hope you will too.
Danny Waldo Bozeman
Juneau Has Proven Record
Thanks to Denise Juneau’s leadership as the state Superintendent of Public Instruction, Montana’s graduation rate has reached a record high of 86 percent. That historic graduation rate means a stronger economy for all Montanans. In fact, according to the Alliance for Excel- lent Education, Montana will see a $6 million annual boost to the state’s econ- omy from the graduates we’ve added since 2009. But, raising Montana’s grad- uation rate has never been about a num- ber. It’s about making sure every student in Montana, no matter their zip code, has an equal shot at success. When Montana kids succeed, we all bene t.
Now Denise wants to take her record of getting things done to Congress, where she’ll ght for better-paying jobs, access to quality schools, and protecting our cherished public lands. We have only one voice for Montana in the U.S. House. Let’s make sure that seat is held by Denise Juneau, who has a proven record of getting things done for all Montanans!
Dianne Grove White sh
Everyone Pays to Bene t a Few
I have been following the debate sur- rounding the Kalispell Airport.
A little research revealed the plans to expand this into an Industrial Air Park. The artist’s conception of the expanded site with industries, factories, and dis- tribution warehouses falling all over themselves to compete for, build and maintain the airport as a self-sustain- ing enterprise was intriguing.
Oops! My bad. All of these plans were contained in the 1966 Industrial Mani- fest of Montana. None of this material- ized. Instead, for the past 50 years, the citizens of Kalispell have had to support this albatross with their taxes. Everyone pays to bene t a few.
Enough is enough. If the city bene ts so greatly from the airport, quit picking
my pocket to support it!
Richard Funk Kalispell
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LETTERS
Tell us what you think. To submit a letter, please e-mail your submission to editor@ atheadbeacon.com. Please keep your letter to 300 words or less. The Flathead Beacon reserves the right to edit letters for length, clarity and to prevent libel. Letters must include the writer’s rst and last name, phone number and address for veri cation purposes. Only the name and hometown of the writer will be printed. To mail a letter, please send to 17 Main Street, Kalispell, MT 59901.
Fax letters to (406) 257-9231.
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AUGUST 17, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM