Cordier: Won't run for another term

It is with very mixed emotions that I write to announce my intention not to run for re-election as State Representative for House District 3. Recent events have emerged that bring me to this decision.

I've been honored by being given the opportunity to serve the good people of House District 3 this term, and I've given, and will continue for the remainder of the term, to give my best effort to fairly and honorably represent all of the folks in our district. No doubt, during the past legislative session, I cast at least one vote that was contrary to the personal opinion of each individual in our area; however, the actions I took and the decisions I made were done using the best information available at the time. I have served as District 3 Representative in good faith and effort, putting Montana and Montanans first.

Serving as Representative has been eye-opening, at times frustrating and bewildering, inspiring and always interesting. I have told anyone that has cared to listen that I wished that each of our citizens would have the opportunity to serve in the legislature. That's how important I believe the process is.

Still, other pursuits call. Last week I was selected by Bishop George Leo Thomas of the Western Montana Diocese of Helena to begin a five-year training program leading to ordination as a permanent deacon in the Catholic Church. I have pursued the permanent deaconate for close to 10 years, but due to previous commitments and delays in the program's startup, this is the first opportunity to come along. My wife, Char, and I are very excited to begin this new chapter in our lives.

Because of the rigorous nature of study, and in the best interest of harmony within our parish and civic communities, all program candidates have been asked — and I am in complete agreement — to step away from all other extra-vocational roles, offices and commitments. Other than retaining my position as high school counselor and continued commitment to my wife, daughter, family and friends, I will concentrate my effort and involvement on the permanent deacon formation program.

My time spent in the legislature has reinforced a belief I held when I decided to run for this office: Most people seeking legislative seats are good, honorable and hard-working, and place the best interests of our great state in mind. I am fortunate to count as friends and confidants legislators on both sides of the aisle, a sign that healthy discussion and respect is still possible in the lawmaking process. In the upcoming November election, I ask the folks in our district to choose for your representative the person you feel will best be able to work in cooperation with others, regardless of perspective, and who will earn the respect of fellow legislators, regardless of political ideology.

Montanans are best served with representatives who are willing to exercise diplomacy, vision and self-restraint, and seek win-win solutions to complex issues confronting our state. Good lawmaking becomes much more difficult — and less work gets done — when grand-standing, self-serving, attacking and/or short-sighted legislators who foster a "we win, you lose" philosophy inject their style into the process. The issues facing Montana are best handled by those dedicated to finding common ground and workable solutions.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you as Representative for House District 3. I will do my best to serve out my term this calendar year with integrity.

Doug Cordier represents District 3 in the State House.

Commissioners' stance on ordinance supported

To the editor,

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Northwest Montana Association of REALTORS(R), we want the Flathead County Commissioners to know we are in support of your position on the Whitefish Critical Areas Ordinance as presented in the letter written by Commissioner Hall and reprinted in the Feb. 14 edition of the Whitefish Pilot.

We admire your efforts to protect county residents, living in the "doughnut" area from an ordinance that can have detrimental impacts when private property owners have no representation in the Whitefish City government. We support your decision to take back this area of the county from the City if the ordinance is passed as currently written.

On behalf of the more than 1,000 members of our Association, we appreciate very much a county commission who is paying attention on our behalf.

Cal Scott

President, Northwest Montana Association of REALTORS(R)

We need mental health facility, not another jail

To the editor,

I read with interest the front page story in the Daily Inter Lake entitled, "Problem Awaits Solution." It seems that the 21-year-old Flathead County Detention Center is proving inadequate as a facility to house our criminal population.

Authorities have commissioned an architectural firm to address this issue. I have another solution to the problem. Did you know that right now in the Flathead County Jail, a high percentage of the population is mentally ill? Did you know that sometimes the "crimes" committed by these individuals could be alleviated simply by helping them with this illness rather than housing them with criminals?

Therefore, I recommend that you NOT build another jail but build a facility that would house those who have been diagnosed with or are suspected to have a serious mental illness. When a person with mental illness gets help with their medication their whole world can turn around. There would not be a need to continue to house this population in the jail. This would be a proactive solution to what the commissioners say is high on the list of priorities right now.

One of the biggest problems in the mental health arena is the cost of housing the mentally ill for a long enough period of time to make sure they are stable. If they go to a place like Pathways, the cost over just a few days is horrific. If there was a place that was a lock down facility that a mentally ill person could be placed in for 120 days or longer and the focus during that time was medication, group therapy, structure, life skills, etc., why not? Why is it that an inmate has basically no rights except that they can choose whether to take medication or not? Because of their illness, most mentally ill people would refuse medication but it is exactly what they need to be well enough to make better decisions and not go to jail.

Do you understand that there is a revolving door into and out of the jail for the mentally ill?

Katie Chamberlain

Kalispell

New Hampshire student needs your assistance

To the editor,

My name is Kristy and I am in Mrs. Browher's fifth-grade classroom at Inter Lakes Elementary School. In social studies we are doing a project called State in a Box. For my state I have chosen Montana. This is where I need you to help me.

I need you to send me old license plates, maps, brochures of state parks, cookbooks — anything that represents your beautiful state of Montana. If you decide to send me something send it to: Mrs. Browher's Fifth Grade Classroom, Inter Lakes Elementary School, 21 Laker Lane, Meredith, N.H. 03253.

I need your items as soon as possible.

Kristy B.

Meredith, N.H.

Global warming verified, but its cause is debatable

To the editor,

Global warming is a verifiable fact, but whether it is human caused is still open for debate. According to the assistant director of the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, D.C., there is no scientific evidence that humans are causing global warming.

Gov. Brian Schweitzer directed the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to establish a Climate Change Advisory Committee. The committee has completed the Montana Climate Change Action Plan. This Plan and a survey can be found on this Web site: www.deq.state.mt.us. You have an opportunity to vote on the proposed recommendations (regulations) and incentives (money out of your pocket) for controlling the climate. Unfortunately the survey doesn't give you the benefit of knowing the cost of each item.

This is a serious matter. The degree that this plan is implemented through legislation and state government next session will depend on your support or lack of support of the survey items. Please make your vote count by filling out the survey prior to deadline of Feb. 29. Although you don't have to give your name, do so to let them know that you are from Montana.

Sen. Verdell Jackson

Kalispell