Page 28 - Flathead Beacon // 10.26.16

LETTERS
Support Arntzen for Superintendent of Schools
I am a public school teacher and a member of the MEA-NEA. I will be vot- ing for Elsie Arntzen for State Superin- tendent of Schools.
The school year will be halfway over when the new superintendent takes over in January. With Elsie’s strong back- ground in education, legislation and busi- ness, she already has the skills needed to be successful in this position and won’t be spending valuable hours learning about what needs to be done. She will be ready to work from day one.
She believes that all students and teachers are individuals and that “one- size- ts-all” instruction does not bene t everyone. We must add some exibility in order for everyone to be successful. .
Education comprises $1.8 billion of our state budget. Elsie has served 12 years in the state Legislature and she knows about formulating and managing large budgets. With 23 years of classroom experience as well as a degree in business economics, she understands the tremen- dous task that the State Superintendent has before them.
I won’t be told who to vote for just because I belong to a certain group. I will be voting for the person who aligns with my personal beliefs and values and who I feel is the right person to lead educa- tion forward in our state. Quali cations do matter and I will be ringing the school bell and casting my vote for Elsie Arntzen.
Janey Salomon Ronan
Fern Clear Choice for House District 5
Driving through White sh I couldn’t help but notice the green and white signs endorsing Dave Fern for House District 5. As a past employee of Fern’s business, Chimney Solutions, you spend a consider- able amount of time traveling throughout the Flathead, Lake, Glacier, and Lincoln counties. What made these trips inter- esting is not just the nature of the work, but the time for re ective, and colorful discussions.
On these long trips to various desti- nations I found Dave to be a champion of equality, fairness, charity, and most importantly a strong advocate for fami- lies and kids. In his business dealings, I have witnessed Dave provide extra mea- sures to ensure safety rather than making a pro t. His aptitude for fairness, caring for others, and doing what is right is a hall- mark of Dave’s personality.
After stowing ladders we would drive to the next chimney sweep or stove installation. Without missing a beat, Dave would continue our discussion of the state legislature, school issues, or the current a airs in White sh. Dave is pas- sionate about nding the right solutions that bene t both sides of an argument. I know this because I have observed, and listened to him closely over the years in fervent White sh school board meetings, conference calls with the Montana School Board Association, and the Montana High School Association.
The nal thing I wish to add is that,
traveling with someone over a number of years you get to experience many di er- ent sides of a person. In Dave Fern, I have found him to be a fair man with impecca- ble character. I wholeheartedly endorse Dave Fern and his campaign for House District 5. In my mind there is not a more clear, and prudent choice for the constit- uents of this House District and our state.
Dave Ritter Columbia Falls
Rose is Looking Out for Montana
I was saddened to read the article about Taylor Rose HD3 run in the elec- tion edition of this paper (Oct. 5 Beacon: “Young and Unorthodox, Flathead GOP Candidates Mount Challenges on Dems”). The title led me to believe that this would be a positive article full of facts, it, how- ever, was not. A few minutes on the inter- net is enough to disprove the slanderous rumors that were repeated in this article as unfounded. I am not in Taylor’s district but would encourage all of my friends that are to vote for him. I, unlike Tristan Scott, have taken the time to get to know this candidate; speaking to him at several local events and feel he is on the right side of issues. I appreciate how Taylor is look- ing out for Montana. He understands the importance of higher paying jobs and re-stimulating the economy. His district has been hit hard by federal overreach that have closed signi cant portions of industries that rely on access to natural resources and he is ready to ght back for you. He will stand up for hunting and sh- ing rights by ensuring public access. He is ready to help protect our Second Amend- ment rights. I believe he would be a valu- able asset and advocate for HD3 and the state of Montana.
Jon Musson Kalispell
Why I Support Greg Gianforte
Most of you know Greg Gianforte as the man who started a highly successful com- pany in Bozeman, Montana. I know Greg Gianforte as the man who raised all four of his kids here in Montana.
When I rst met him, he was just in some small o ce starting up an unknown tech rm. I didn’t know him as Greg Gianforte the tech entrepreneur, I knew him as Greg the family man, who takes the whole family hiking the backcountry most weekends every summer.
I then had the privilege of watching him build his Montana company into a global business that employed hundreds of Montanans in high wage jobs. Greg is incredibly driven and hard-working, but, most importantly, he loves Montana. Greg set out to prove that Montana is a place where high tech businesses can have suc- cess, and he succeeded.
It was my honor to serve as governor of this great state for four years and I can tell you that a governor needs to have a big vision for the state, be willing to tackle hard problems, and challenge the status quo. With Montana languishing at the bottom of the nation in wages and 12 years of status-quo leadership in Helena, it’s time for a change.
Greg Gianforte will work to create a
high-wage economy in our state. He will push back against federal overreach, he will continue to o er new ideas for edu- cation, and he will bring accountability to state government.
Unlike many in our state, Greg refuses to make excuses for Montana’s subpar economic and scal situation. He believes that Montana can do better, and he’s proven that in his business career.
With tough times ahead for our econ- omy and declining state revenues, we need someone with business experience and a track record of success leading our state.
At the same time, Greg has also picked an excellent candidate for lieutenant governor in Lesley Robinson. Lesley is a Hi-Line rancher and county commis- sioner with a reputation for ghting for the interests of everyday Montanans.
Agriculture is our number one indus- try and county and local government, especially in rural areas, have unique challenges that are not always under- stood by state government. Lesley Rob- inson, as lieutenant governor, can bridge this gap.
Greg, as a tech guy and successful busi- nessman from Bozeman, and Lesley, as a Hi-Line rancher and county commis- sioner, complement each other really well. However, the most important thing is that Greg Gianforte and Lesley Robinson are people of honesty, character, and integ- rity who got to where they are the same way folks here in my hometown of Butte did- hard work. I’m honored to endorse Greg Gianforte and Lesley Robinson to serve as Montana’s next Governor and Lt. Governor.
Judy Martz former Montana governor
Sales Tax Solution for Sustainable Growth
I read the Beacon’s article discussing the city council’s push for a local sales tax, and I support this as a solution for sustainable growth in our local economy.
Kalispell supports a much larger pop- ulation than just those of us within city limits, serving not only the many people in surrounding regions who rely on Kalis- pell for essential goods and services, but also the massive in ux of tourists we see in the summer months. They all bring important contributions to our economy, but also burden city infrastructure with- out directly supporting its maintenance.
It’s important that we establish tax revenues that are fair and a ordable for everyone involved. For example, a 2.5 per- cent tax would be a ordable and should come with corresponding tax breaks for Kalispell residents who already shoulder a heavy burden in property taxes for our growing city, a burden that is only going to increase with the recent vote for $54 mil- lion in school bonds to pay for education investments.
Putting the cost in perspective, a $50 purchase would be $51.25, while a tourist paying $600 for lodging would see his bill increase to $615, a tax penalty that is only a fraction of the 5-8 percent most of our visitors typically pay in their home states.
Many of us are understandably
frustrated with the tsunami of taxes we have to pay every year, but this is a tax we should support as a community. We need an e ciently run local government that has access to the funds it needs for essen- tial projects that will ensure our com- munity continues to grow and thrive. This tax would establish a vital revenue stream in a way that is equitable, a ord- able, and sustainable over time, directly tying city revenues to economic growth. Let’s ask our representatives in Helena for the chance to support this investment in the future of Kalispell and the Flathead Valley.
Daryl Garber Kalispell
Skees is Excellent Choice for HD 11
Derek Skees is needed in the Legisla- ture because he is well grounded in the federal and state constitutions and has a keen nancial mind. He will be one of the few people in the House of Representa- tives who understand the scal notes that are attached to the bills. Montana and our constitutional republic are in great dan- ger because of out-of-control spending. The Montana constitution requires that the budget be balanced at the end of each session. If there is not enough money to fund the budget, legislators must raise taxes or cut spending. We can depend on Derek to look for ways to cut spending and improving the economy rather than rais- ing taxes.
Also, Derek recognizes that each per- son’s freedom, dignity, ability and respon- sibility must be honored to pull peo- ple together. He never skirts questions, considers pandering or being politically correct. Derek’s values are totally trans- parent because he is honest and scally conservative.
Derek earned my trust and as a result I hired him to head up building a second story on our house. He drew the plans, put me on his crew, started the building project in October and did not get a drop of water inside the existing house. It sounds impossible, but he succeeded and came in under budget.
I support Derek Skees for House Dis- trict 11 because he loves our free enter- prise system which encourages individ- ual initiative that has brought this nation opportunity, economic growth and prosperity.
Verdell Jackson Kalispell
Breckenridge for U.S. Congress
For U.S, Congress, our options include a pro-abortion Democrat, big-govern- ment socialist; a pro-abortion Repub- lican, big-government pro-police state warmonger; and a Libertarian who is sol- idly pro-life, against wars of aggression, and will cast votes that uphold the lim- its of government spelled out in the U.S. Constitution. I urge you to vote for Rick Breckenridge: for life and liberty, and to send the message to the other candidates we are sick and tired of our government’s oppressive encroachment and sanctioned destruction of innocent life.
Annie Bukacek Kalispell
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OCTOBER 26, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM