May 15 letters to the editor

Jim Lockwood is solutions-oriented

The Flathead County Commissioners serve for six years and in the next six years we will be dealing with some big issues: not only housing and homelessness, but traffic and transportation, over-visitation and potential natural disasters such as fires and extreme weather, as well as water safety and the building of our infrastructure. 

It would be wonderful to have a county commissioner who understands the issues that the cities are facing and would work more cooperatively to get things done. 

For that reason I encourage you to vote for Jim Lockwood for the Flathead County Commission. Most people know him as the prior president of the WAG Dog Park, which was ranked one of the 10 best dog parks in the nation under his tenure. Before he retired he had a distinguished career as an attorney who drafted and negotiated infrastructure projects servicing local and state governments. He is Montana born and a war hero (Vietnam. U.S. Army Combat Engineer. Two Bronze Stars, one for heroism in battle where he saved a soldier's life). He is a father and grandfather. He is intelligent, well-educated, compassionate and hard working. 

Please support Jim Lockwood for Flathead County Commission for effective, solutions-oriented leadership.   

— Rebecca Norton, Whitefish 

A win for disability rights

Last week, the disability community had another major win. After hearing from thousands of people pushing for change, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued new section 504 regulations that forbid disability-discrimination in the delivery of medical and social services. 

Disability Rights Montana signed a letter in support of these regulations while they were being considered and we are eager to help make them a reality here in Montana now that they have been adopted. 

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you are aware of discrimination in the delivery of medical or social services, especially if that discrimination has life or death consequences.  

— David Carlson, Disability Rights Montana