spotlight
Our weekly round-up of letters published in the Missoulian.
1
Letter to the editor: Denley Loge is a supporter of veterans
I am writing this letter in support of Denley Loge and his candidacy for Senate District 45. I’ve had the honor of working with Denley since he was first elected to the House in 2017 and was pleased to find him as a thoughtful and honest legislator. It was my observation that he was very respectful of his constituency and wanted to do what was best for Montana.
As a 38-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force/Montana National Guard and a former state representative, I have worked with legislators for over four decades to encourage their support of the needs of our veterans. Denley, although not a veteran, had a clear understanding of our issues, asked probing questions, and made his decisions based on the facts. I was pleased to discover that Denley Loge, without fail, was a solid supporter of our Montana veterans and our National Guard.
The 2023 session was a particularly brisk session for our veteran and military issues. I tracked dozens of bills in committee and assessed the vote of multiple legislators. In the 33 bills that I used as my measuring stick, I am pleased to report that Denley Loge, was a 100% in voting for our Montana veterans and military members.
It is because of his solid record with our veterans and National Guard members, I ask you to support the election of Denley Loge to Senate District 45.
Roger Hagan,
Great Falls
2
Letter to the editor: Trust Morigeau for Senate District 46
This spring, western Montana faces a contested Democratic primary election for Senate District 46 — a new legislative district that links together urban and rural communities in Missoula, Sanders, and Lake counties. SD 46 includes the southern half of the Flathead Reservation and has one of the highest percentage of Native voters in the state.
I am excited to support Jacinda Morigeau in this election. As a proud UM alum and enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Morigeau has committed her career to fighting for the underdogs and everyday Montanans. Since launching her state Senate campaign last month, Morigeau has received a surge of grassroots support for her commitment to affordable health care, protecting public lands, and safeguarding the pocketbooks of all Montanans.
Her broad support from across western Montana is no surprise. Morigeau is known throughout the community for being a workhorse. Whether preparing kids for college through Upward Bound, fighting for reproductive rights and economic justice with Montana Women Vote, or serving on the board for All Nations Health Center, she has a record of showing up for Montana’s working families.
When ballots are mailed out on May 10, I hope you will join me in supporting Jacinda Morigeau for Montana Senate District 46.
Danny Tenenbaum,
Missoula
3
Letter to the editor: Jacinda Morigeau is right choice for SD46
I am excited to support Jacinda Morigeau for Senate District 46.
As an enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Morigeau is committed to fighting for everyday Montanans. She grew up in Arlee, attended K-12 schools there and is dedicated to her community and Western Montana.
Morigeau is running in a new legislative district that combines urban and rural communities in Missoula, Sanders and Lake counties. This district includes the southern half of the Flathead Indian Reservation and has one of the highest percentages of Native voters.
Morigeau has deep grassroots support and shows up for working families. Aside from having grown up in this district, her work with high school students through Upward Bound, her fight for reproductive rights and other healthcare, and her service on the All Nations Health Center board connect her to this district in deep and important ways. She will take her experiences to the legislature and represent Western Montanans well.
Ballots will be mailed May 10. Please cast your vote for Jacinda Morigeau for Senate District 46.
Jennifer Savage,
Missoula City Council, Ward 1
4
Letter to the editor: Dan Wilson for Associate Justice
Like most of my friends, I’m tired of the negativity constantly swirling around us every day — especially in the political arena. That’s why it is so refreshing to see and read about a candidate who takes the high road and runs his campaign focusing on policies rather than personalities.
Such a man is Dan Wilson. Dan has successfully served our communities as a district judge for several years and now is a candidate for Associate Justice of the Montana Supreme Court.
I’ve known Dan for many years and have found him to be an honest man, one who is a good listener, has a wealth of legal knowledge, and a man with integrity. As an Associate Judge, I believe these qualities, plus his thoroughness, attention to detail, and relentless work ethic will not only make him an asset to our state court, but will enable him to adjudicate the many challenging cases with fairness, and an adherence to the rule of law of our state and our Constitution.
Let’s help keep our Montana Supreme Court where people are heard and a place where progress and common sense can work together to showcase the Montana values we all share.
Please vote for Dan Wilson for Associate Justice of the Montana Supreme Court.
Nancy Ross,
Kalispell
5
Letter to the editor: Tester has history of working for Montana way of life
As I have stated before, as a U.S. Marine, I appreciate Tim Sheehy’s service to our country.
Tim is well trained and, as a SEAL, most likely competent at killing. Unfortunately, this is not a skill required, or even desired in the U. S. Senate. In addition, he does not seem capable of telling the same story twice as to how he came to have a bullet wound.
He is also a relatively successful businessman who has begun following in his leader’s footsteps by losing $77 million last year. This is not someone I want even remotely close to managing my tax dollars on some congressional committee.
On top of that, his ego has apparently blinded him to the realities of the position he seeks. He claims that as a green, freshman senator (1 of 100) HE will put a stop to current lobbying practices.
Further, Tim is not a farmer or a rancher even though he owns a ranch. He’s a guy bored with what he is doing and wants to try something new at our expense — and with no experience, he wants to start near the top of the political food chain.
We have had enough out-of-staters trying to change Montana for the worse. Tim is not wanted or needed.
Join me in voting to reelect John Tester, who has a history of working for the Montana way of life.
Burt Caldwell,
Missoula
6
Letter to the editor: Vote Democratic and elect people who care about natural beauty of our state
As a Montanan, I have spent many days enjoying our state. My parents owned property along Smith River and I remember floating the river and fishing the river many years before the permit system was installed.
In the Saturday, April 27, newspaper I learned that the pit toilets in the campground areas along the river were being removed to lesson the possibility of pollution to the river. I support the actions. We as a state need to protect our recourses like Smith River. They are an important part of making Montana great.
I hope, although I don't believe, that the governor or the permit approver agency of our state government will be as concerned about the proposed mine on Sheep Creek at the headwaters of Smith River. Historically, mining equals pollution, equals a bankrupt mining company, equals taxpayers having to pay to cleanup the mess the miners leave behind, equals perpetual cleanup for our state long after the mine is gone.
It is my hope that the powers that be in the state will deny the mining permit as a continuing step in saving the Smith, a true Montana treasurer. They won't. They are Republicans and they have no interest in protecting our state's natural beauty.
My answer is vote Democratic and elect people who care about the natural beauty of our state.
Alan Brown,
Lake Havasu City, Arizona
7
Letter to the editor: BLM prioritizing health of our wild spaces
Like most Montanans, I take the health and management of our public lands very seriously. That’s why when the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) finally released its Public Lands Rule last week, I knew I could breathe a bit easier about our public lands management. I saw Tracy Stone-Manning, the Director of the BLM, speak in Missoula a few weeks ago and was encouraged by her message about her love of Montana's public lands and the need for updated management practices.
The Public Lands Rule would require the BLM to consider conservation, outdoor recreation, intact landscapes, wildlife habitat, and restoration as equally important as traditional extractive activities in its multiple-use management. This is critical as our management of public lands requires flexibility to take into account the effects of climate change and to prioritize landscape health when deciding the range of public land usage.
With the threats to our public lands piling up seemingly every day, it is heartening to know that the BLM, the largest public lands manager in the nation, is prioritizing the health of our wild spaces and considering all options available to them to keep our public lands thriving.
Allison Wilson,
Missoula
8
Letter to the editor: Car idling harms all us
Put-put-put. That’s the sound you hear of exhaust fumes pouring out of that car next to you. And they are all polluting the air that we breathe and the atmosphere that we’re inside of. But it sickens us and our planet in more ways than just one.
There should be car idling limitations because when cars idle they’re losing gas that the owner has paid for. Now that the owner has lost most of their gas they will need more fuel to run their car. By buying more gas they are creating more demand which means the oil companies are having to drill into the earth to meet that demand. This can harm our ecosystem by the risk of oil spills and disrupting wildlife habitat.
Car idling can also harm us humans. By leaving your car running you are potentially exposing people with asthma and allergies as well as cardiovascular and respiratory disease to a higher risk of intensifying their condition.
Have you ever realized that when you're idling your car the fumes just seem to disappear? Well, they don’t. When these fumes evaporate into the atmosphere some of the fumes don't make it out and start to create what's called “the greenhouse” effect. By adding gasoline fumes to our atmosphere, car idling adds to the extreme warming of our planet.
Overall, there are many reasons why there should be car idling limitations or why it should even be illegal. Car idling harms all of us, so let's stop it.
Nela Kuipers,
fifth grader at Rattlesnake School
9
Letter to the editor: Important environmental decision
April 9 marked a great day for climate change legal advocates worldwide, as the European Court of Human Rights has joined Montana in requiring all European governments to protect their people from adverse environmental impacts caused by such change.
CASE OF VEREIN KLIMASENIORINNEN SCHWEIZ AND OTHERS v. SWITZERLAND, https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/. This Court applies the European Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms Convention, very similar to the US and Montana Constitution individual rights sections, binds all parties to its decisions, which are not appealable. Applying Convention Articles 8 and 2, the Court concluded that all citizens enjoy the right to environmental protections, and that all Convention party governments have affirmative obligations to provide such protections.
The Court found that Switzerland as a country and its cantons, which enjoy autonomy similar to US states, had failed to meet these obligations by failing to take reasonable protective measures. The decision reasoning will apply to all European countries from this point forward. As to what these protective measures are and should be will require each country and/or multi-country bloc such as the European Union, to decide.
Although not all Court decisions get implemented, especially in Russia and Turkey (both Convention parties), decisions as important as this one will likely generate immediate changes in how most countries address climate change in their laws. This is the Court’s most important environmental decision to date and its impact globally will soon reverberate almost everywhere.
David Aronofsky,
Missoula
10
Letter to the editor: Uniquely qualified
My name is John Murphy, and I am running for another term serving the taxpayers as a Missoula Rural Fire District Trustee. I have had the privilege of representing our community as a Trustee since 2017 and as Board Chair since 2021. I’d like to continue to work with the Fire District to meet the challenges of providing exceptional emergency response services in one of the fastest-growing areas of Montana.
Since I have been on the board, we have added 10 paid firefighter positions, allowing for Advanced Life Support-capable staff at all five fire stations. We’ve improved our ISO rating, lowering insurance rates for taxpayers. We also built a state-of-the-art fire station in Bonner on time and on budget.
If elected, I would assist with the Fire District in meeting its goal of accreditation through the Center for Public Safety Excellence, manage the budget to allow for competitive pay for the folks who staff the fire trucks while ensuring the timely replacement of those trucks, and continue to support collaboration with neighboring emergency response providers across Missoula County and beyond.
My prior trustee experience with the Missoula Rural Fire District and my work for emergency response institutions across Missoula County make me uniquely qualified to represent the Fire District’s taxpayers. I’d like to continue to do so.
Thanks for your consideration!
John “Ben” Murphy,
Missoula
11
Letter to the editor: We must prioritize fire department and schools
The impact of $33 a month varies greatly among individuals and families in our community. For some, it's the daily cup of coffee; for others, it's the difference between making ends meet or falling behind on payments. This amount, equivalent to what the owner of a $500,000 tax-assessed property would contribute to both fire and school levies, holds immense significance for our fire department and our entire community.
Our firefighters currently endure grueling 24-hour shifts, facing a relentless barrage of emergency calls with barely a moment's respite. This compromises their well-being and impedes crucial training and equipment maintenance, jeopardizing neighborhood safety. The looming threat of losing our ISO rating due to overstretched resources exacerbates the situation, potentially raising homeowners' insurance premiums.
However, passing the levy and investing in an additional firehouse and more personnel could enhance our ISO rating, leading to significant homeowner savings. Amidst budgetary disputes between state legislators and city officials, homeowners and renters bear the brunt of increased taxes.
Yet, amidst this conflict, we must prioritize our fire department and schools, vital for community safety and our future. As Missoulians, we must unite in support of these levies, safeguarding our community's well-being. Let's not allow short-sighted disagreements to jeopardize safety and education. I urge everyone to vote in favor of these levies, affirming our commitment to a prosperous and secure future for all.
Alex Fregerio,
Missoula
12
Letter to the editor: Stick to the facts
The Missoulian recently printed one of the most absurd editorial cartoons I’ve seen in quite some time.
It suggested that the U.S. Senate failed to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas because of political partisanship and some kind of “double standard.”
The U.S. House forwarded the impeachment articles to the Senate on a mostly party-line vote although even some Republicans in the House said it was “unwarranted and a waste of time.”
The Senate refused to hear the case as there was no evidence to support the charges.
While folks may not agree with the Biden Administration’s policies on the southern border, Mayorkis’ handling of the situation certainly doesn’t rise to the “high crimes and misdemeanors” that are required for an impeachment.
If the Missoulian is going to try balancing the Opinion page with various left-wing and right-wing cartoons, it would be best to at least stick to the facts and avoid partisan propaganda.
Pete Talbot,
Missoula
13
Letter to the editor: Vote for Jenny Walsh and Tina Eblen for MCPS board
By now, you have received your mail-in-ballots for the Missoula County Public Schools elections. I want to share my enthusiastic endorsem*nt of Christina (Tina) Eblen and Jenny Walsh for the two open K12 School Board Trustee seats.
I’ve served on the MCPS Board of Trustees for nine years and have learned that this role is not one for single-issue candidates or people with an axe to grind.
Great trustees share a few key values: They believe deeply in the power of well-supported, well-run public schools to change lives and build thriving communities. And they are committed to schools that serve, not only their own children or particular interest groups, but our whole community, including all children, the people who work in schools, our civic life and our future generations.
Jenny Walsh and Tina Eblen have impressed me with their relevant background knowledge of child development and learning, and with their commitment to engage with the community and learn as much as they can about our schools.
Please join me in voting for Tina Eblen and Jenny Walsh when you return your MCPS ballot!
Grace Decker,
Missoula
14
Letter to the editor: Jon Tester, a man of irony
Although this election season is quickly souring as more and more personal attacks are launched on both sides of the aisle, I've decided to focus on the actions of both candidates. What I've discovered is that between Jon Tester and Tim Sheehy, one of them has two faces.
Our current senator seems to have a split political personality — the one he presents in D.C. and the one he presents back here in our great state. He talks a great deal about fixing the southern border but has ignored H.R. 2, which passed almost a year ago. More recently, he voted against investigating Secretary Mayorkas, whom no one can deny has failed in his chief responsibility of protecting the American citizens and our border.
Tester even has the gall to say, "The American people are sick of D.C. politicians pulling stunts with our border security." This coming from the Evel Knievel of political stuntmen.
I have personally met both men, which makes me feel qualified in the choice I make. This November, I am going to choose change, and I hope you all do as well.
Geof Gratny,
Kalispell
15
Letter to the editor: Hope for the future
I attended the Big Sky-High School production of "Mama Mia." It was the best $10 I have ever spent and would have paid much more to enjoy this outstanding performance. Each of the cast members from the leading lady to the dancers, to the sound and light, behind-the-scenes crew, did such a job well done.
Their enthusiasm and love of life and each other shined brightly. Such a feel-good night. A professional and hard-working group of dedicated students, teachers and directors. If you missed this, you truly missed one of the best productions Missoula has ever had.
Another positive experience that my husband and I had this January with high school students was judging the Class AA speech and debate meet. Another group of the classiest and rehearsed high school students. Their obvious hard work and dedication was evident in each of them. They were all well prepared, kind, polite and well mannered. I highly encourage the community to get involved in judging the meets, no experience or expertise is necessary.
So much negativity about young people today; however, both of these events gave us hope for the future to know these fine young people will soon be fine adults contributing to our society.
Patti Miller,
Missoula
16
Letter to the editor: Kaltschmidt's half-truths
I see the Missoulian saw fit to print another, world as I see it, column from Don K, head of Montana's Republican Party. Of course that required he bash the Montana Democratic Party with his half-truths, innuendos and lies. Perhaps Don could mention by name the Montana Democrats supporting terrorists rather than whip out his broad brush and tarnish everyone that may be of that persuasion.
I have a lot of friends of both parties and, so far, have not heard any of them supporting terrorists and in fact all support Israel. All of them are also concerned about the civilian death toll in the region, on both sides. Does that make them all Democrats?
Just to put things in perspective, a recent poll indicated 91% of Americans distrust the car buying experience. So think about that when you read the next half-baked column from Don K.
And no, I am not a Democrat!
Jay Adams,
Libby
17
Letter to the editor: Science matters for Montana's future
As a former Missoula Ward 1, Rattlesnake area, city councilperson and a strong advocate for Montana to address the critical problem of human caused climate change, I want to encourage Senate District 46 voters to support C.B. Pearson in the upcoming Democratic primary. He is a dedicated public lands advocate and lead the campaigns in Missoula County for Open Space and for Parks and Trails.
C.B. is the only candidate for Montana Senate District 46 to receive 3.14 Action Fund endorsem*nt— the one group dedicated to electing Democratic candidates with a background in science.
C.B. believes science should be the fundamental basis of public policy. Special interests, like big tobacco, big oil, and other polluting industries hate science and want to use their money, their lobbyist, their PR machine to harm the public, pollute our clean air and water, and takeaway health care decisions, all for their profit.
I know C.B. will fight to protect our environment, clean water, public lands and natural areas. C.B. received his Master of Science in Environmental Studies (UM) making him unique in understanding how Climate Change directly affects our way of life.
So much of what we have done in Montana that make it special is based upon decisions and policy based upon science — such as our Constitutional Right to a clean and healthful environment.
Vote science, vote to address climate change, Vote for C.B. Pearson.
Dave Harmon,
Missoula
18
Letter to the editor: Stop the 'Trump Method'
The ongoing Donald Trump case has little to do with liking or disliking Donald Trump. It has to do with the "Trump Method" and the necessity for that method to fail or our country is in trouble.
The Trump Method often begins with deflection. Accuse the accuser. If Trump is called corrupt, he calls his accuser corrupt. If he is accused of being a criminal, accuse the accuser of criminality. If Trump is accused of election interference, accuse your opponent of election interference.
Next, comes "gumming up" the works. Clog the machine of justice with rocks, nuts and bolts, cow manure, whatever. This includes persistent lying about everything, intimidating witnesses and jurors, saying whatever you want. The more heinous, incredible and personal, the better. This also includes stalling and buying time as much as possible.
For our very system of justice to survive, this method must fail. It must fail in a courtroom where the defendant is immersed in a tsunami of facts and evidence that all determine true justice.
Rick Lester,
Missoula
19
Letter to the editor: Property Tax Assistance Program
With discussions with the governor, the filing application deadline for the property tax assistance program has been extended until June 1. This program can help citizens on a fixed or limited income by reducing the tax rate on their home.
To be eligible, there are three important facts:
- You must own or currently be under contract to purchase a home or mobile/manufactured home.
- You must live in the home as a primary residence for a least seven months of the year.
- You must have a 2022 Federal Adjusted Gross Income, excluding capital and income losses less than: *single $27,621 or *married or head of household $37,019.
The assistance level can be from a 30% to 80% reduction of the normal tax rate. To find information on your status, contact your local State Department of Revenue office or call the state office in Helena at 406-444-6900.
Rep. Denley M. Loge,
St. Regis
20
Letter to the editor: Property tax burden
More than 150 years ago, Henry George, a journalist, asked a question, appurtenant in his day: “How can a man be said to have a country when he had not right of a square inch of it?”
This question, sadly, is relevant to Montana today. Under Greg Gianforte’s regime, $200 MILLION in elitist welfare is being doled to the wealthiest in Montana through property tax cuts, and to make matters worse, Mr. Gianforte, the governor, has given his own properties a property tax cut.
As a consequence, the average Montanan is facing a 21% INCREASED property tax burden. The tax burden is now simply too high for farmers, workers and families in Montana. Many Montana politicians and private citizens are now calling for a property tax cut, yet that would be a mere waste of potential.
Henry George, in response to the issues of his time, proposed a Land Value Tax to replace the property tax. A Land Value Tax is a tax on land itself, not property on the land. The Land Value Tax, unlike nearly every other tax, directly incentivizes economic growth, ending land speculation that causes good land to go unused. Land monopolists and speculators, who hurt economic growth, would have to develop their land. Simultaneously, working families, who don't own large swaths of land, pay far less in proportion to their income under the Land Value Tax.
In short, replacing property tax with Land Value Tax is the only means to gain back our Montanan freedom.
Eli Steinberg,
Missoula
21
Letter to the editor: Elect a senator we can trust
A recent headline in the Missoulian, “GOP comes out swinging in defense of Sheehy,"generated many questions as to which story we are to believe.
Did Tim Sheehy’s gunshot wound come from friendly fire in Afghanistan or the Logan Pass parking lot? Is it acceptable to lie to a federal officer to cover up what really happened? If you look up the Navy SEAL Code, you will find, "Uncompromising integrity is my standard. My character and honor are steadfast. My word is my bond."
Tim Sheehy touts his service as a Navy SEAL but has conveniently forgotten what the code entails. He believes the only thing he did wrong was admitting to something he didn't do. Sorry, but in my book that is still a lie.
I appreciate Tim's service defending our country, but we need to elect a senator we can trust and that would be Jon Tester.
Jan Metzmaker,
Whitefish
22
Letter to the editor: Put the pressure on
As our rivers and creeks flow way below their banks this year, I am concerned about water shortages for crops and cattle in the heat of the summer. I hear others discussing this, as well.
By professional management, I assume we will come through with what we need and my agricultural neighbors will not suffer setbacks. In the meantime, I need to say that a mine similar to the proposed Sheep Creek Mine used 278 million gallons of water per year for its operations. I’m not a geologist, but when I consider that kind of drain on our watershed I know it’s a threat to the whole valley’s ground water supply.
Montana has always tried to develop its resources, sometimes to the extreme. Now we’re looking at a “rare earth” economy to possibly replace our coal economy. I’m okay with that ... adjustment to economic realities is the name of this era we’re in. But I do not want 500-700 foot deep holes in the summits of our beautiful Bitterroot Mountains because of a mining model which has been proven to leak hundreds of gallons of toxic water into our fisheries. There are other options, some already established.
The Berkeley Pit, for example, is being tapped for the rare minerals in its waters.
We Montanans have already let down our guard with our antiquated mining laws which hundreds (really!) of now-defunct corporations have taken advantage of. (There are 8,000 abandoned mines in the state currently.) In at least five instances it is you and I who are paying for site cleanup because the corporations have conveniently gone bankrupt. Do ask the candidates you want to vote for what they will do about new mining legislation, and what do they think about Sheep Creek.
I came here 50 years ago for many of the same reasons folks are coming now. Clean water (threatened), open spaces (threatened), clean air (pray that July is fire free), and neighbors that practice these same values. We need to put the pressure on the Forest Service, Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Bureau of Land Management and our local politicians.
If we don’t, we stand to lose far more than we can imagine.
Star Jameson,
Hamilton
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Letter to the editor: Denley Loge is a supporter of veterans
I am writing this letter in support of Denley Loge and his candidacy for Senate District 45. I’ve had the honor of working with Denley since he was first elected to the House in 2017 and was pleased to find him as a thoughtful and honest legislator. It was my observation that he was very respectful of his constituency and wanted to do what was best for Montana.
As a 38-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force/Montana National Guard and a former state representative, I have worked with legislators for over four decades to encourage their support of the needs of our veterans. Denley, although not a veteran, had a clear understanding of our issues, asked probing questions, and made his decisions based on the facts. I was pleased to discover that Denley Loge, without fail, was a solid supporter of our Montana veterans and our National Guard.
The 2023 session was a particularly brisk session for our veteran and military issues. I tracked dozens of bills in committee and assessed the vote of multiple legislators. In the 33 bills that I used as my measuring stick, I am pleased to report that Denley Loge, was a 100% in voting for our Montana veterans and military members.
It is because of his solid record with our veterans and National Guard members, I ask you to support the election of Denley Loge to Senate District 45.
Roger Hagan,
Great Falls
Letter to the editor: Trust Morigeau for Senate District 46
This spring, western Montana faces a contested Democratic primary election for Senate District 46 — a new legislative district that links together urban and rural communities in Missoula, Sanders, and Lake counties. SD 46 includes the southern half of the Flathead Reservation and has one of the highest percentage of Native voters in the state.
I am excited to support Jacinda Morigeau in this election. As a proud UM alum and enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Morigeau has committed her career to fighting for the underdogs and everyday Montanans. Since launching her state Senate campaign last month, Morigeau has received a surge of grassroots support for her commitment to affordable health care, protecting public lands, and safeguarding the pocketbooks of all Montanans.
Her broad support from across western Montana is no surprise. Morigeau is known throughout the community for being a workhorse. Whether preparing kids for college through Upward Bound, fighting for reproductive rights and economic justice with Montana Women Vote, or serving on the board for All Nations Health Center, she has a record of showing up for Montana’s working families.
When ballots are mailed out on May 10, I hope you will join me in supporting Jacinda Morigeau for Montana Senate District 46.
Danny Tenenbaum,
Missoula
Letter to the editor: Jacinda Morigeau is right choice for SD46
I am excited to support Jacinda Morigeau for Senate District 46.
As an enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Morigeau is committed to fighting for everyday Montanans. She grew up in Arlee, attended K-12 schools there and is dedicated to her community and Western Montana.
Morigeau is running in a new legislative district that combines urban and rural communities in Missoula, Sanders and Lake counties. This district includes the southern half of the Flathead Indian Reservation and has one of the highest percentages of Native voters.
Morigeau has deep grassroots support and shows up for working families. Aside from having grown up in this district, her work with high school students through Upward Bound, her fight for reproductive rights and other healthcare, and her service on the All Nations Health Center board connect her to this district in deep and important ways. She will take her experiences to the legislature and represent Western Montanans well.
Ballots will be mailed May 10. Please cast your vote for Jacinda Morigeau for Senate District 46.
Jennifer Savage,
Missoula City Council, Ward 1
Letter to the editor: Dan Wilson for Associate Justice
Like most of my friends, I’m tired of the negativity constantly swirling around us every day — especially in the political arena. That’s why it is so refreshing to see and read about a candidate who takes the high road and runs his campaign focusing on policies rather than personalities.
Such a man is Dan Wilson. Dan has successfully served our communities as a district judge for several years and now is a candidate for Associate Justice of the Montana Supreme Court.
I’ve known Dan for many years and have found him to be an honest man, one who is a good listener, has a wealth of legal knowledge, and a man with integrity. As an Associate Judge, I believe these qualities, plus his thoroughness, attention to detail, and relentless work ethic will not only make him an asset to our state court, but will enable him to adjudicate the many challenging cases with fairness, and an adherence to the rule of law of our state and our Constitution.
Let’s help keep our Montana Supreme Court where people are heard and a place where progress and common sense can work together to showcase the Montana values we all share.
Please vote for Dan Wilson for Associate Justice of the Montana Supreme Court.
Nancy Ross,
Kalispell
Letter to the editor: Tester has history of working for Montana way of life
As I have stated before, as a U.S. Marine, I appreciate Tim Sheehy’s service to our country.
Tim is well trained and, as a SEAL, most likely competent at killing. Unfortunately, this is not a skill required, or even desired in the U. S. Senate. In addition, he does not seem capable of telling the same story twice as to how he came to have a bullet wound.
He is also a relatively successful businessman who has begun following in his leader’s footsteps by losing $77 million last year. This is not someone I want even remotely close to managing my tax dollars on some congressional committee.
On top of that, his ego has apparently blinded him to the realities of the position he seeks. He claims that as a green, freshman senator (1 of 100) HE will put a stop to current lobbying practices.
Further, Tim is not a farmer or a rancher even though he owns a ranch. He’s a guy bored with what he is doing and wants to try something new at our expense — and with no experience, he wants to start near the top of the political food chain.
We have had enough out-of-staters trying to change Montana for the worse. Tim is not wanted or needed.
Join me in voting to reelect John Tester, who has a history of working for the Montana way of life.
Burt Caldwell,
Missoula
Letter to the editor: Vote Democratic and elect people who care about natural beauty of our state
As a Montanan, I have spent many days enjoying our state. My parents owned property along Smith River and I remember floating the river and fishing the river many years before the permit system was installed.
In the Saturday, April 27, newspaper I learned that the pit toilets in the campground areas along the river were being removed to lesson the possibility of pollution to the river. I support the actions. We as a state need to protect our recourses like Smith River. They are an important part of making Montana great.
I hope, although I don't believe, that the governor or the permit approver agency of our state government will be as concerned about the proposed mine on Sheep Creek at the headwaters of Smith River. Historically, mining equals pollution, equals a bankrupt mining company, equals taxpayers having to pay to cleanup the mess the miners leave behind, equals perpetual cleanup for our state long after the mine is gone.
It is my hope that the powers that be in the state will deny the mining permit as a continuing step in saving the Smith, a true Montana treasurer. They won't. They are Republicans and they have no interest in protecting our state's natural beauty.
My answer is vote Democratic and elect people who care about the natural beauty of our state.
Alan Brown,
Lake Havasu City, Arizona
Letter to the editor: BLM prioritizing health of our wild spaces
Like most Montanans, I take the health and management of our public lands very seriously. That’s why when the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) finally released its Public Lands Rule last week, I knew I could breathe a bit easier about our public lands management. I saw Tracy Stone-Manning, the Director of the BLM, speak in Missoula a few weeks ago and was encouraged by her message about her love of Montana's public lands and the need for updated management practices.
The Public Lands Rule would require the BLM to consider conservation, outdoor recreation, intact landscapes, wildlife habitat, and restoration as equally important as traditional extractive activities in its multiple-use management. This is critical as our management of public lands requires flexibility to take into account the effects of climate change and to prioritize landscape health when deciding the range of public land usage.
With the threats to our public lands piling up seemingly every day, it is heartening to know that the BLM, the largest public lands manager in the nation, is prioritizing the health of our wild spaces and considering all options available to them to keep our public lands thriving.
Allison Wilson,
Missoula
Letter to the editor: Car idling harms all us
Put-put-put. That’s the sound you hear of exhaust fumes pouring out of that car next to you. And they are all polluting the air that we breathe and the atmosphere that we’re inside of. But it sickens us and our planet in more ways than just one.
There should be car idling limitations because when cars idle they’re losing gas that the owner has paid for. Now that the owner has lost most of their gas they will need more fuel to run their car. By buying more gas they are creating more demand which means the oil companies are having to drill into the earth to meet that demand. This can harm our ecosystem by the risk of oil spills and disrupting wildlife habitat.
Car idling can also harm us humans. By leaving your car running you are potentially exposing people with asthma and allergies as well as cardiovascular and respiratory disease to a higher risk of intensifying their condition.
Have you ever realized that when you're idling your car the fumes just seem to disappear? Well, they don’t. When these fumes evaporate into the atmosphere some of the fumes don't make it out and start to create what's called “the greenhouse” effect. By adding gasoline fumes to our atmosphere, car idling adds to the extreme warming of our planet.
Overall, there are many reasons why there should be car idling limitations or why it should even be illegal. Car idling harms all of us, so let's stop it.
Nela Kuipers,
fifth grader at Rattlesnake School
Letter to the editor: Important environmental decision
April 9 marked a great day for climate change legal advocates worldwide, as the European Court of Human Rights has joined Montana in requiring all European governments to protect their people from adverse environmental impacts caused by such change.
CASE OF VEREIN KLIMASENIORINNEN SCHWEIZ AND OTHERS v. SWITZERLAND, https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/. This Court applies the European Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms Convention, very similar to the US and Montana Constitution individual rights sections, binds all parties to its decisions, which are not appealable. Applying Convention Articles 8 and 2, the Court concluded that all citizens enjoy the right to environmental protections, and that all Convention party governments have affirmative obligations to provide such protections.
The Court found that Switzerland as a country and its cantons, which enjoy autonomy similar to US states, had failed to meet these obligations by failing to take reasonable protective measures. The decision reasoning will apply to all European countries from this point forward. As to what these protective measures are and should be will require each country and/or multi-country bloc such as the European Union, to decide.
Although not all Court decisions get implemented, especially in Russia and Turkey (both Convention parties), decisions as important as this one will likely generate immediate changes in how most countries address climate change in their laws. This is the Court’s most important environmental decision to date and its impact globally will soon reverberate almost everywhere.
David Aronofsky,
Missoula
Letter to the editor: Uniquely qualified
My name is John Murphy, and I am running for another term serving the taxpayers as a Missoula Rural Fire District Trustee. I have had the privilege of representing our community as a Trustee since 2017 and as Board Chair since 2021. I’d like to continue to work with the Fire District to meet the challenges of providing exceptional emergency response services in one of the fastest-growing areas of Montana.
Since I have been on the board, we have added 10 paid firefighter positions, allowing for Advanced Life Support-capable staff at all five fire stations. We’ve improved our ISO rating, lowering insurance rates for taxpayers. We also built a state-of-the-art fire station in Bonner on time and on budget.
If elected, I would assist with the Fire District in meeting its goal of accreditation through the Center for Public Safety Excellence, manage the budget to allow for competitive pay for the folks who staff the fire trucks while ensuring the timely replacement of those trucks, and continue to support collaboration with neighboring emergency response providers across Missoula County and beyond.
My prior trustee experience with the Missoula Rural Fire District and my work for emergency response institutions across Missoula County make me uniquely qualified to represent the Fire District’s taxpayers. I’d like to continue to do so.
Thanks for your consideration!
John “Ben” Murphy,
Missoula
Letter to the editor: We must prioritize fire department and schools
The impact of $33 a month varies greatly among individuals and families in our community. For some, it's the daily cup of coffee; for others, it's the difference between making ends meet or falling behind on payments. This amount, equivalent to what the owner of a $500,000 tax-assessed property would contribute to both fire and school levies, holds immense significance for our fire department and our entire community.
Our firefighters currently endure grueling 24-hour shifts, facing a relentless barrage of emergency calls with barely a moment's respite. This compromises their well-being and impedes crucial training and equipment maintenance, jeopardizing neighborhood safety. The looming threat of losing our ISO rating due to overstretched resources exacerbates the situation, potentially raising homeowners' insurance premiums.
However, passing the levy and investing in an additional firehouse and more personnel could enhance our ISO rating, leading to significant homeowner savings. Amidst budgetary disputes between state legislators and city officials, homeowners and renters bear the brunt of increased taxes.
Yet, amidst this conflict, we must prioritize our fire department and schools, vital for community safety and our future. As Missoulians, we must unite in support of these levies, safeguarding our community's well-being. Let's not allow short-sighted disagreements to jeopardize safety and education. I urge everyone to vote in favor of these levies, affirming our commitment to a prosperous and secure future for all.
Alex Fregerio,
Missoula
Letter to the editor: Stick to the facts
The Missoulian recently printed one of the most absurd editorial cartoons I’ve seen in quite some time.
It suggested that the U.S. Senate failed to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas because of political partisanship and some kind of “double standard.”
The U.S. House forwarded the impeachment articles to the Senate on a mostly party-line vote although even some Republicans in the House said it was “unwarranted and a waste of time.”
The Senate refused to hear the case as there was no evidence to support the charges.
While folks may not agree with the Biden Administration’s policies on the southern border, Mayorkis’ handling of the situation certainly doesn’t rise to the “high crimes and misdemeanors” that are required for an impeachment.
If the Missoulian is going to try balancing the Opinion page with various left-wing and right-wing cartoons, it would be best to at least stick to the facts and avoid partisan propaganda.
Pete Talbot,
Missoula
Letter to the editor: Vote for Jenny Walsh and Tina Eblen for MCPS board
By now, you have received your mail-in-ballots for the Missoula County Public Schools elections. I want to share my enthusiastic endorsem*nt of Christina (Tina) Eblen and Jenny Walsh for the two open K12 School Board Trustee seats.
I’ve served on the MCPS Board of Trustees for nine years and have learned that this role is not one for single-issue candidates or people with an axe to grind.
Great trustees share a few key values: They believe deeply in the power of well-supported, well-run public schools to change lives and build thriving communities. And they are committed to schools that serve, not only their own children or particular interest groups, but our whole community, including all children, the people who work in schools, our civic life and our future generations.
Jenny Walsh and Tina Eblen have impressed me with their relevant background knowledge of child development and learning, and with their commitment to engage with the community and learn as much as they can about our schools.
Please join me in voting for Tina Eblen and Jenny Walsh when you return your MCPS ballot!
Grace Decker,
Missoula
Letter to the editor: Jon Tester, a man of irony
Although this election season is quickly souring as more and more personal attacks are launched on both sides of the aisle, I've decided to focus on the actions of both candidates. What I've discovered is that between Jon Tester and Tim Sheehy, one of them has two faces.
Our current senator seems to have a split political personality — the one he presents in D.C. and the one he presents back here in our great state. He talks a great deal about fixing the southern border but has ignored H.R. 2, which passed almost a year ago. More recently, he voted against investigating Secretary Mayorkas, whom no one can deny has failed in his chief responsibility of protecting the American citizens and our border.
Tester even has the gall to say, "The American people are sick of D.C. politicians pulling stunts with our border security." This coming from the Evel Knievel of political stuntmen.
I have personally met both men, which makes me feel qualified in the choice I make. This November, I am going to choose change, and I hope you all do as well.
Geof Gratny,
Kalispell
Letter to the editor: Hope for the future
I attended the Big Sky-High School production of "Mama Mia." It was the best $10 I have ever spent and would have paid much more to enjoy this outstanding performance. Each of the cast members from the leading lady to the dancers, to the sound and light, behind-the-scenes crew, did such a job well done.
Their enthusiasm and love of life and each other shined brightly. Such a feel-good night. A professional and hard-working group of dedicated students, teachers and directors. If you missed this, you truly missed one of the best productions Missoula has ever had.
Another positive experience that my husband and I had this January with high school students was judging the Class AA speech and debate meet. Another group of the classiest and rehearsed high school students. Their obvious hard work and dedication was evident in each of them. They were all well prepared, kind, polite and well mannered. I highly encourage the community to get involved in judging the meets, no experience or expertise is necessary.
So much negativity about young people today; however, both of these events gave us hope for the future to know these fine young people will soon be fine adults contributing to our society.
Patti Miller,
Missoula
Letter to the editor: Kaltschmidt's half-truths
I see the Missoulian saw fit to print another, world as I see it, column from Don K, head of Montana's Republican Party. Of course that required he bash the Montana Democratic Party with his half-truths, innuendos and lies. Perhaps Don could mention by name the Montana Democrats supporting terrorists rather than whip out his broad brush and tarnish everyone that may be of that persuasion.
I have a lot of friends of both parties and, so far, have not heard any of them supporting terrorists and in fact all support Israel. All of them are also concerned about the civilian death toll in the region, on both sides. Does that make them all Democrats?
Just to put things in perspective, a recent poll indicated 91% of Americans distrust the car buying experience. So think about that when you read the next half-baked column from Don K.
And no, I am not a Democrat!
Jay Adams,
Libby
Letter to the editor: Science matters for Montana's future
As a former Missoula Ward 1, Rattlesnake area, city councilperson and a strong advocate for Montana to address the critical problem of human caused climate change, I want to encourage Senate District 46 voters to support C.B. Pearson in the upcoming Democratic primary. He is a dedicated public lands advocate and lead the campaigns in Missoula County for Open Space and for Parks and Trails.
C.B. is the only candidate for Montana Senate District 46 to receive 3.14 Action Fund endorsem*nt— the one group dedicated to electing Democratic candidates with a background in science.
C.B. believes science should be the fundamental basis of public policy. Special interests, like big tobacco, big oil, and other polluting industries hate science and want to use their money, their lobbyist, their PR machine to harm the public, pollute our clean air and water, and takeaway health care decisions, all for their profit.
I know C.B. will fight to protect our environment, clean water, public lands and natural areas. C.B. received his Master of Science in Environmental Studies (UM) making him unique in understanding how Climate Change directly affects our way of life.
So much of what we have done in Montana that make it special is based upon decisions and policy based upon science — such as our Constitutional Right to a clean and healthful environment.
Vote science, vote to address climate change, Vote for C.B. Pearson.
Dave Harmon,
Missoula
Letter to the editor: Stop the 'Trump Method'
The ongoing Donald Trump case has little to do with liking or disliking Donald Trump. It has to do with the "Trump Method" and the necessity for that method to fail or our country is in trouble.
The Trump Method often begins with deflection. Accuse the accuser. If Trump is called corrupt, he calls his accuser corrupt. If he is accused of being a criminal, accuse the accuser of criminality. If Trump is accused of election interference, accuse your opponent of election interference.
Next, comes "gumming up" the works. Clog the machine of justice with rocks, nuts and bolts, cow manure, whatever. This includes persistent lying about everything, intimidating witnesses and jurors, saying whatever you want. The more heinous, incredible and personal, the better. This also includes stalling and buying time as much as possible.
For our very system of justice to survive, this method must fail. It must fail in a courtroom where the defendant is immersed in a tsunami of facts and evidence that all determine true justice.
Rick Lester,
Missoula
Letter to the editor: Property Tax Assistance Program
With discussions with the governor, the filing application deadline for the property tax assistance program has been extended until June 1. This program can help citizens on a fixed or limited income by reducing the tax rate on their home.
To be eligible, there are three important facts:
- You must own or currently be under contract to purchase a home or mobile/manufactured home.
- You must live in the home as a primary residence for a least seven months of the year.
- You must have a 2022 Federal Adjusted Gross Income, excluding capital and income losses less than: *single $27,621 or *married or head of household $37,019.
The assistance level can be from a 30% to 80% reduction of the normal tax rate. To find information on your status, contact your local State Department of Revenue office or call the state office in Helena at 406-444-6900.
Rep. Denley M. Loge,
St. Regis
Letter to the editor: Property tax burden
More than 150 years ago, Henry George, a journalist, asked a question, appurtenant in his day: “How can a man be said to have a country when he had not right of a square inch of it?”
This question, sadly, is relevant to Montana today. Under Greg Gianforte’s regime, $200 MILLION in elitist welfare is being doled to the wealthiest in Montana through property tax cuts, and to make matters worse, Mr. Gianforte, the governor, has given his own properties a property tax cut.
As a consequence, the average Montanan is facing a 21% INCREASED property tax burden. The tax burden is now simply too high for farmers, workers and families in Montana. Many Montana politicians and private citizens are now calling for a property tax cut, yet that would be a mere waste of potential.
Henry George, in response to the issues of his time, proposed a Land Value Tax to replace the property tax. A Land Value Tax is a tax on land itself, not property on the land. The Land Value Tax, unlike nearly every other tax, directly incentivizes economic growth, ending land speculation that causes good land to go unused. Land monopolists and speculators, who hurt economic growth, would have to develop their land. Simultaneously, working families, who don't own large swaths of land, pay far less in proportion to their income under the Land Value Tax.
In short, replacing property tax with Land Value Tax is the only means to gain back our Montanan freedom.
Eli Steinberg,
Missoula
Letter to the editor: Elect a senator we can trust
A recent headline in the Missoulian, “GOP comes out swinging in defense of Sheehy,"generated many questions as to which story we are to believe.
Did Tim Sheehy’s gunshot wound come from friendly fire in Afghanistan or the Logan Pass parking lot? Is it acceptable to lie to a federal officer to cover up what really happened? If you look up the Navy SEAL Code, you will find, "Uncompromising integrity is my standard. My character and honor are steadfast. My word is my bond."
Tim Sheehy touts his service as a Navy SEAL but has conveniently forgotten what the code entails. He believes the only thing he did wrong was admitting to something he didn't do. Sorry, but in my book that is still a lie.
I appreciate Tim's service defending our country, but we need to elect a senator we can trust and that would be Jon Tester.
Jan Metzmaker,
Whitefish
Letter to the editor: Put the pressure on
As our rivers and creeks flow way below their banks this year, I am concerned about water shortages for crops and cattle in the heat of the summer. I hear others discussing this, as well.
By professional management, I assume we will come through with what we need and my agricultural neighbors will not suffer setbacks. In the meantime, I need to say that a mine similar to the proposed Sheep Creek Mine used 278 million gallons of water per year for its operations. I’m not a geologist, but when I consider that kind of drain on our watershed I know it’s a threat to the whole valley’s ground water supply.
Montana has always tried to develop its resources, sometimes to the extreme. Now we’re looking at a “rare earth” economy to possibly replace our coal economy. I’m okay with that ... adjustment to economic realities is the name of this era we’re in. But I do not want 500-700 foot deep holes in the summits of our beautiful Bitterroot Mountains because of a mining model which has been proven to leak hundreds of gallons of toxic water into our fisheries. There are other options, some already established.
The Berkeley Pit, for example, is being tapped for the rare minerals in its waters.
We Montanans have already let down our guard with our antiquated mining laws which hundreds (really!) of now-defunct corporations have taken advantage of. (There are 8,000 abandoned mines in the state currently.) In at least five instances it is you and I who are paying for site cleanup because the corporations have conveniently gone bankrupt. Do ask the candidates you want to vote for what they will do about new mining legislation, and what do they think about Sheep Creek.
I came here 50 years ago for many of the same reasons folks are coming now. Clean water (threatened), open spaces (threatened), clean air (pray that July is fire free), and neighbors that practice these same values. We need to put the pressure on the Forest Service, Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Bureau of Land Management and our local politicians.
If we don’t, we stand to lose far more than we can imagine.
Star Jameson,
Hamilton
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