LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Support for Bill Burt

If you feel everything is going along just fine in the Justice of the Peace field in Missoula County, then you should vote for the status quo in the upcoming election. But, if you feel common-sense, compassion, integrity, and fairness should be applied to a much greater extent than it is now, you should consider voting for Bill Burt for Justice of the Peace in Department #1. He has all the traits and background that would enable him to utilize the current jail diversion program without endangering our communities by releasing dangerous criminals who would continue to victimize unsuspecting citizens. His common-sense principles and practices would definitely put an end to the ongoing “catch and release” situation and provide for equal protection under the law that would greatly enhance safety and security for the general public. He has my vote.Robert E. Parcell, Condon, MT

Supports Tranel

My grandfather took the train from Miles City to Missoula in 1950, and my family has been here ever since. Before I left for college I asked him what he learned in his 40 years of talking to juries as a trial lawyer in Western Montana. He said that people here are honest, they don’t like liars and they don’t take B.S.

Ryan Zinke looked the leadership of the Navajo and Hopi tribes in the eye and told them that there would be no oil drilling in their ancestral homelands of Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments. Then he flew back to Washington, had Trump shrink the National Monuments’ acreage by half, and permitted oil and gas drilling amidst 100,000 archaeological sites held sacred by the tribe.

Just like my Grandpa, Monica Tranel grew up on a ranch in Eastern Montana and then worked as a lawyer in Western Montana for many years. When I’ve met Monica, I’ve been impressed that she knows and embodies the values of honesty and hard work that my Grandpa talked about. I personally want that quality of representation over the track record Zinke has given us. I hope you agree.Rex Koenig, Missoula

Supports Stein

I know Gary Stein, candidate for HD 92, through a group of longtime friends. Gary Stein brings balance and the diplomacy skills we need to move Montana forward. He will work to shift Helena’s current focus which has been to narrow citizen rights and to sacrifice our quality of life in order to attract easy money. Gary is determined to protect our Montana State Constitution, at risk of destruction if a super-majority becomes reality. Individual rights and self-determination are truly at risk – the very freedoms that make us proud of our state’s heritage and culture.

As a longtime HD 92 resident, small business owner and concerned citizen I urge my friends and neighbors to vote for Gary Stein to represent our best interests in Helena.

Gary’s career as a teacher, coach and referee gives him a good understanding of what Montana families and youth are expecting from leadership. The communication and navigation skills required to survive a public education career will serve his constituents well – relationships matter to Gary, not power. He has been a business owner as well as union negotiator so brings a balanced view to working on economic interests.

Finally, I know that Gary and his family provided care in their home to his mom through end of life, and now care for his partner’s mom as she ages. He knows firsthand the needs of Montana’s families and our most vulnerable citizens.

Vote Gary Stein, HD 92 to represent and protect our interests in state government. Thank you.Jennifer Stackpole, Seeley Lake

Burt for justice

During this election cycle, several communities in Missoula County have hosted forums to hear from the various candidates and their position on different matters. During these forums, I took the opportunity to share what led me to file for Missoula County Justice of the Peace. Being a recently retired captain from the Missoula Sheriff’s Office where I served many years as a patrol deputy and supervisor, I have an intimate knowledge of Missoula’s Criminal Justice system, especially the law enforcement community.

In Missoula, we have seen a dramatic increase in crime rates. Some would say that this is happening everywhere, but I don’t believe that is the case. Rising crime rates are more predominant in communities that have procedures leaning toward being soft on crime and criminals. Missoula courts seem to have taken a criminals first, victims second approach, leading to an unprecedented frustration from our law enforcement officers working in Missoula County.

It is widely viewed by our law enforcement community that there is not enough accountability for the repeat offenders that law enforcement is constantly dealing with and that this is something that needs to change. It was recently suggested that I think this problem can be solved through increased incarcerations. Nothing could be further from the truth. I very much believe in the jail diversion principles put into place since 2015 but also believe the courts have a public safety obligation to the victims of these crimes and the public.

What I would like to see from our courts is better accountability from those who have demonstrated an inability to stay out of trouble by requiring them to post bond and/or be subjected to other monitoring options. I have no interest in contributing further to our jail overcrowding issues but I do believe there are better options to increase public safety, slow and reduce the rise in crime rates, and better support the law enforcement community that works so hard to keep us safe.

Instead of addressing these issues, my opponent is focused on political tactics designed to confuse voters by attacking my character and credibility. My request from the voters is to not be fooled by these tactics. As I have said in every forum where I participated, don’t take my word for it. Reach out to a local law enforcement officer and ask them about their experiences with the local courts and I think you will be surprised.Bill Burt, Candidate for Missoula County Justice of the Peace

Higher education

If an overweight person said they planned to lose weight because the doctor advised, they might die. That’s an intelligent course of action. If they, in anticipation of their weight loss, destroyed all their clothing (Biden’s fossil fuel approach); a Republican would ask how they could go to work naked every day and a Democrat would encourage them to run for President.

In my life I have observed many stupid political policies but never where every policy was the opposite of the correct one. In two years Democrats have created an invasion of drugs and people at the southern border, collapse of a thriving economy, rampant inflation, danger of nuclear war, energy dependance, destruction of major cities, high crime, a war against police, religion, white people, educational failure at all levels, distorted history and sex education in schools and government institutions, while falsely claiming success in every arena.

Stupid people who think they are intelligent have always been around. That is of course what makes them stupid not just dumb. Democrats have now convinced me there is another category: professionally stupid! Democrat politicions all claim degrees, which I think must be Doctorate’s in Quantum stupidity, with minors in deceit.

The only people better off since Democrats came to power are Democrat Politicions, every other class of people, without exception, are worse off. Like a doctor who only prescribes suicide; Democrats claim their policies always cure the disease.

Democrats expect you believe them, not your lying eyes. They look into the camera and say the border is secure, inflation under control, Biden knew nothing about Hunters business, economy is great, stock market only effects the rich, electric vehicles will save the planet, Afghanistan retreat a victory, crime is not a problem, Republicans threaten Democracy, etc. Everything they say is opposite the truth.

November 8th is election day. If you care about yourself and your family, you will NOT vote for a Democrat. YOUR Democrat is not different, none are. Avoid the doctor whose only prescription is suicide. The wrong votes can destroy our lives. Cannot bring yourself to vote Republican, or 3rd party: don’t vote. Believe your eyes; look at major Democrat cities and states: overrun with crime, poop in the streets, high taxes, high prices, poverty, racial strife, social unrest, poor schools and unlivable conditions. Democrats have proven they cannot govern, grade them accordingly. Gary Fitzpatrick, Lewistown, MT

Be Safe

We ask visitors in Seeley Lake country to use caution, plan ahead, and know the weather and forest conditions before heading out into the woods.

Fall weather can be unpredictable and is a busy time of year in the valley.. Hunting is a primary activity during this time and the forest managers may be implementing its prescribed burn program.

Prior to heading to the woods, officials encourage the public to always contact your local district office, always check the weather, have a planned route and ensure that the area is accessible by knowing what closures or restrictions are in place. Whenever possible, travel in pairs. Always bring extra clothing, food and water, and make sure that someone knows where you are going, that they also have your planned route, and when you will be returning from your trip. Carry a map and don’t rely on your cell phone as many areas in the valley don’t have service.

Following the recent prescribed burning this fall, forest visitors should also be cautious when entering a recently burned area and be aware of increased hazards, particularly snags (which are recently burned or dead trees) or hot ash pits that may not be visible above the surface. Forest officials ask that visitors do not camp or linger in a burned area. Dead or dying trees that remain standing after a fire are unstable, especially in high winds. The 2017 wildfire area is particularly prone to have hazardous trees. Loose rocks and logs can be present in a burned area and are unpredictable, creating a falling a hazard.

Some roads may be seasonally closed due to wildlife or other resource concerns. Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUMs) display the open and seasonally open road system on the Lolo National Forest. MVUMs are free and can be picked up at any Lolo National Forest office, the Seeley Lake Ranger District office or downloaded from the forest website. Motorized cross-country travel is prohibited under the forest’s travel management plan.

We encourage forest users to responsibly enjoy their roads and trails.

Responsible use will not only avoid damage to the resources, but also ensure that there are future free choice recreation opportunities across the public lands.Seeley Lake Visitor Center, http://www.SeeleyInfo.org

A senior for Stein

In my time in Montana, I’ve always supported candidates who work hard and care about the people they represent.

Gary Stein is running for HD92 and I know he will speak up in the state legislature.

Like Montanans, Gary values our public lands and personal freedoms. Please join me in supporting and voting for Gary Stein on Nov. 8Mary Borhard, Misssoula

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 
Rendered 11/18/2024 05:16