The letter from Dick Skees (Whitefish Pilot Aug. 11) which claims that Flathead County Commissioner Gary Hall is a RINO (Republican in name only) was so weird it must be answered.

From the viewpoint of a Republican activist in Flathead County since 1956 until my retirement from active politics in 2004, I can state with certainty that Gary Hall is a real Republican.

He was selected as a Republican candidate in a contested primary election and was elected to office in a contested general election. He has been in office for a while, and he has worked diligently at his job, applying common sense and conservative principles to his work. He is doing a good job, and the real Republicans are proud of him and his work.

As president of Republican Assembly, Inc., a Montana non-profit corporation, I assure you that Dick Skees does not speak for us or for the Republican Party. It is with colossal nerve that this newcomer to politics claims the right to determine who are Republicans.

If there are any RINOs around, this fellow qualifies for that title.

Dean Jellison

Kalispell