Belated thanks

I would like to thank the members of the Bigfork Fire Department for their beautiful and moving salute to the first responders of 9/11. It brought tears to my eyes as I drove by last Thursday. God Bless America!

Mary Pat Small

Missoula

Ed. note: This letter was accidentally misfiled last month. Our apologies.

Vote GOP

As a long-time small business owner, I am very concerned about legislation that affects small business. It will be of paramount importance in the next Montana Legislative session due to our current economic turmoil. Small business is the backbone of our country and provides the majority of private sector jobs in this country.

With that said, seven Flathead County Legislators received a "Champion of Business" award for the 2007 legislative session from the Montana Chamber of Commerce. Those legislators are Bill Beck, HD6, Mark Blasdel, HD10, George Everett, HD5, Jon Sonju, HD7, Craig Witte, HD8 and senators Greg Barkus, SD4 and Verdell Jackson, SD5. All are Republicans. The Chamber created the award to recognize efforts of legislators who stood up for economic development during the 2007 legislative session.

Their Democratic counterparts did not fare well in their pro-business rating by the Montana Chamber of Commerce, with Weinberg and Jopek receiving a 0% pro-business rating.

Jim Dupont, Republican county Commissioner candidate will be a "Champion of Business" in the Commissioner office. Jim currently owns and runs a small business and has successfully run and operated small businesses in the past. This experience gives Jim a unique perspective on the importance of small business to our economic well-being.

I would encourage you to support candidates who are pro-business. The above mentioned "Champions of Business" that are running for election need our support. Please join me in supporting these fine pro-business candidates for election this fall.

Donald Larsen

Kalispell

Qunell not a good choice

In response to John Frandsen's letter regarding the supposed virtues of Steve Qunell, candidate for County Commissioner, it's obvious Mr. Frandsen hasn't done his homework.

If Mr. Frandsen had bothered to look into the substance of Steve Qunell, he would've discovered Qunell is a Socialist of the highest order. Qunell wants to take what you and I have and give it to other people. In this case, our property rights. Qunell believes and has said in public meetings that the "rights of the community take precedence over the rights of the individual." If Qunell has his way, anyone who has access to water on their property will be relinquishing their rights to every Tom, Dick, and Harry that wants to throw their line in the water or have a picnic.

Because Mr. Qunell's wife works two jobs, it's easy for Steve to attend every liberal meeting that comes down the pike. Mr. Dupont however, works for a living. I have attended many meetings where Jim Dupont was the speaker, and I guess it doesn't concern me that a conservative Republican and a liberal Democrat would be speaking to different groups of people.

I suggest Mr. Frandsen dig a little deeper into Mr. Qunell's background. We need a steady and stable candidate for County Commissioner that knows how local government works, and will protect our customs and culture here in the Flathead.

Olaf Ervin

Vote wisely

The election on November 4, 2008 may be the most important event in our lifetime. The individuals we choose to serve us, in all levels of office, will face greater challenges than at any other time in history. This is an election that begs the participation of every eligible voter.

With so many critical issues to consider, I find it very alarming to see that many of the campaigns have chosen to resort to character assassination, personal attacks, distorted misinformation, and innuendos in preference to straightforward discussion of legitimate differences.

Time and again we hear expressions of concern for our future generations, but as adults, we certainly are not setting very good examples for them when we continually disrespect one another by what we say on the opinion page, the TV, the radio, and in other public places.

Whether we consider ourselves Democrats, Republicans, Independents, or of any other political affiliation, it is time to set aside the rhetoric and seriously examine our situation. We live in one of the most desirable places in the greatest nation in the world. Albeit, our nation is experiencing one of its worst financial criseses since the great depression, we have lost our dignity and the respect from other nations, our national infrastructure desperately needs attention, we have become an importing nation instead of an exporter of quality products. Blatant greed has increased the spread between those who "have" and those who "have not", and compassion for our fellow man needs attention. Together we need to fix education, research renewable energy, repair our infrastructure, address immigration reform, create jobs, and do more to help each other.

If we are to be able to make a serious course correction, we must examine the cause of our situation. What decisions have been made, and by whom? This is not an exercise to determine blame, but rather a means of identifying needed change. We can not continue to do things the same way, and expect different results.

I seriously think it is possible for us to preserve the integrity of our 'special' place in this country, and continue to revel in our Montana heritage. We must carefully chose leaders who will work together to craft guidelines that result in orderly growth which is economically sustainable.

This is one election when it is important that voters do not go into the voting booth and vote in one way, "just because they have always been Republican or Democrat," but rather they need to vote for individuals who have the experience and integrity to truly work to make things better.

If you haven't already taken advantage of the option to vote early, may I encourage you to vote with me on November 4 for a change that will result in a better situation in our state and nation.

Edd Blackler, HD9 candidate

Bigfork

Reichner is prepared

When we, as citizens, select an individual to represent us as our district representative in Helena, we must ask ourselves, can this person be dispassionate in his thinking to fairly decide what is in the best interest of the District and balance that against the overall States needs? Can this individual grasp and understand a budget of some six to seven billion dollars, the majority of which is already earmarked?

We read in Friday's Daily Interlake that Montana might end this biennium (July 1) with a surplus of one billion dollars. In our experience this has never happened before in this State. What is the proper course? Do you spend it, save it (and if so where) or return it to the people? (This surplus does not belong to the State, these are taxes collected over and above projections when the current biennium budget (07-09) was set.

The primary responsibility of a senator or representative is an administrative one. Make no mistake on that, for as this district's former representative I found this to be the case.

Loyalty to the party that he is representing is important, but only to the extent that that party looks to the welfare and service of the people.

Some years ago we approached Scott Reichner to run for the seat in House District #9 from which I was retiring. Due to his business commitments and obligations as a School Board member, he felt those commitments should come first. Scott owns his own mortgage business in Bigfork, has developed a subdivision, is active in the Boy Scouts, his church, school district activities and an involved family man.

As we previously said, Stan was privileged to have served this district for six years. With this background of past service we were very selective in approaching Scott Reichner, who we considered very capable of understanding the job responsibilities and have the capacity and integrity to serve the best interest for our district and state.

Please vote for Scott Reichner for HD #9 on November 4th. In our opinion he is a man you will be proud to have representing you in Helena.

Stan and Beverly Fisher

Bigfork

Vote Brown

It's been fun to watch the news coverage of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. They have gone to Alaska to find out all they can about her and what they found is that everyone likes Gov. Palin. The people in her hometown, and the state of Alaska, just refer to her as Sarah, saying she is honest, down to earth, "one of us."

Then we look at our governor. In talking to the people who know him best he's described as arrogant and not one of us. In the election he only received two out of every ten votes in his hometown of Raynesford. He takes credit for the oil production in Montana. But the truth is, oil production has declined in the last two years because of the business equipment tax, workman's comp and other taxes, along with too many regulations. The oil production we do have was put in place during the Martz administration. While campaigning four years ago, Brian Schweitzer carried around a jar containing gas made from coal, promising the development of that product. To date there is not a gallon of gas made from coal. Another example of talk and no production.

Another concern I have is that Schweitzer endorses a very anti-gun candidate for President. All the legitimate pro-gun organizations have spent the last year warning us about Barack Obama.

All of these reasons, and many more, are why I'm supporting Roy Brown for Governor. Roy is one of us and wants the best for Montanans.

Please join me in voting for Roy Brown for Governor.

Steve Hinebauch

Wibaux