Letters to the editor
Brown on Brown
To the editor,
Bob Brown is the leader Montana needs for governor. You aren't a leader just because you say you're a leader. Leadership must be demonstrated through character, knowledge and service.
Effective leadership requires trust. The voters of the Flathead re-elected Bob to the legislature for three decades. I doubt any voter agreed with Bob 100 percent of the time, but they trusted him because they knew him to be a man of integrity and honor.
Bob's colleagues in state government trusted Bob with a number of leadership positions, including President of the Senate. The people of Montana trusted Bob by electing him Secretary of State four years ago. Bob has demonstrated that he is a trusted leader, a leader among leaders.
Leadership requires knowledge. Bob is a student of both history and government who puts his knowledge to work to move the state forward. Bob's knowledge of government is respected internationally. He helped our government teach the democratic process to emerging democracies in Angola, Russia, Indonesia, Kyrgistan and China.
As a leader, Bob Brown already knows how to get things done because he knows Montana history and government first hand.
Leadership requires a spirit of service. For Bob, leadership is really all about serving others. His record of giving back to the community in public and personal service is a long one.
The question of leadership is clear in this election. Bob Brown and Dave Lewis are men of personal integrity who have earned your trust, men of knowledge who will be able to work effectively for Montana. They have records of service to others that our state deserves in its leaders.
This is an election about Montana's future and Montanans deserve more than just rhetoric. Montana needs the proven leadership of Bob Brown and Dave Lewis. They earned your vote.
Sue Brown (wife of Bob Brown)
Whitefish
Brenneman speaks out
To the editor,
As I run for Flathead County Commissioner, some people seem very interested in groups I have belonged to. Fair enough. But political attack ads have linked me with groups that I not only do not belong to, but have never even heard of.
The voters deserve to know about the real volunteer groups that I have belonged to, groups to which I have donated hours and money, and the boards on which I have served and done my best to provide leadership.
? Habitat for Humanity. This group, motivated by Christian values of charity and concern for affordable housing, helps build homes for people who cannot afford their own. Worldwide, they have built more than 150,000 homes. I served on the board of the local chapter, which has helped 16 families move into homes of their own.
Habitat for Humanity requires the new home owners to invest "sweat equity"—a certain number of hours of work into their homes—so they increase their feeling of ownership, and they must pay for the home with a no interest loan. The mortgage money goes to build more homes. By the way, they can always use more help.
? Creston Volunteer Fire Department. My grandfather and my father helped found this volunteer fire department, and I am always impressed by the dedication and skill of my fellow volunteers throughout the valley. I am a fireman and emergency medical technician. If you are unfortunate enough to have an automobile accident in the east part of the valley, I might be the EMT providing c-spine stabilization or operating the extrication tool to get you out. I hope we don't meet like that.
? Former Equity Supply now CHS Farm Cooperative. Equity Supply was formed many years ago as a farmer-directed cooperative to provide for the needs of the farmers in the valley. At one time, the cooperative had a creamery, a feed store, a retail store, a feed manufacturing plant, a fertilizer plant and long, long ago even a grocery store.
Equity Supply was merged with CHS about six years ago. We still supply fertilizer and animal feed, operate a repair shop, and run two retail stores, as well as propane delivery with total sales for the local cooperative of about $11 million. I have served for more than 10 years on the board of directors that provides financial and policy oversight.
? Western Dairy Farmers Promotion Association. More than 20 years ago, the national dairy industry implemented a generic dairy promotion program funded by money from our own milk checks, and the result nationally totals over $150 million. By law, the program is to be directed by dairy farmers, and I have served on that board for about six years. The "Got Milk?" advertising program came from that organization, as well as significant and important health research for treatment of obesity and high blood pressure.
? Alternative Energy Resource Organization. About three years ago, I served on the board of this Helena-based group, which works for Montana family farms and ranches. My main interest and involvement was with programs promoting locally produced agriculture as well as other innovative farming ideas. In an effort to reduce dependence on foreign oil, they also support research and development of innovative energy sources, such as solar and wind power. One of the other programs they developed was a "walk your child to school program," to promote safe sidewalks, healthy exercise and family time. Gov. Judy Martz took part in that program. I don't think that makes her a leftist.
? Montana Dairy Association. I served for many years as director on this Helena-based organization of Montana dairy farmers. Somewhat more than 10 years ago, we put together a state-wide milk pool system that brought previously contentious farmers and processors together so that milk now moves in much more efficient ways to the benefit of all state dairy farmers as well as consumers.
? Citizens for a Better Flathead. I joined when reduced membership rate was offered to farmers many years ago and helped with a composting project. I did not approve of lawsuits being filed about six years ago and have not been active since then.
If you have questions about any organizations to which I have belonged, please give me a call at 257-1189.
Some people in this valley like to label and discredit people. I think all elected officials should listen to and respect all their constituents, not label them.
That's why I am running for Flathead County Commissioner.
Joe Brenneman
Kalispell
Veterans, take note
To the editor,
A letter to all veterans and families from the Disabled American Veterans Oct. 2004.
The President's budget in 2004 requested legislation to require certain veterans to pay a $250 annual enrollment fee for medical care and, in addition, to require them to pay higher pharmacy and outpatient treatment co-payments.
The goals of this legislation were to shift more of the costs of veterans medical care from the government to veterans themselves, and to make veterans medical care more expensive and thereby save additional money by driving 1.2 million away from the V.A. medical care system. This is $571 short of what was recommended by an independent budget prepared with veterans organizations.
Now for fiscal year 2005, the President's budget proposes deep cuts in funding for veterans programs. The President recommended only a $310 million increase for veterans medical care, which would represent about a 1 percent increase over the fiscal year 2004 amount, but it would actually amount to a net reduction in funding because it does not cover the cost of inflation.
The administration's budget again seeks legislation to increase co-payments and impose a $250 annual fee for medical care. The budget would reduce staffing in the veterans benefits administration by 540 full-time employees and would cut funding for medical and prosthetic research by $50 million.
The administration's budget for fiscal year 2005, contained little in the way of recommendations to improve veterans programs, and it calls upon Congress to enact some legislation to limit or reduce veterans entitlement to benefits.
My thoughts on the way our government is shafting the public— first, election laws and the electoral college; second, using Social Security Trust Fund and replacing it with no way to pay it back; third, the Notch Victims—mess around until we are dead, then problem solved; fourth, the administration was ready to commit troops without any idea of the present cost and any deaths and crippled. They should be committed to all medical and financial problems that have displaced all the Reserves and National Guard sent from their homes.
Edward J. Hula
Columbia Falls
Let's keep it clean
To the editor,
What happened to the clean campaign pledge?
We deserve a governor who will carry out his promises. I was there when I saw Bob Brown shake hands with Brian Schweitzer and promise to keep this campaign a "clean campaign." I bragged about both candidates to other states on the way our candidates for governor were conducting a clean campaign.
What happened Bob?
I am so disappointed with the negative attacks you have placed on Brian Schweitzer. The radio and television carry your negative and deceitful ads.
Montana deserves a governor who will keep a promise.
What happened to the clean campaign pledge?
Judie Stewart
Kalispell
Weinberg offers balance
To the editor,
For years we have talked, made jokes and laughed about the two Montanas—east-side and west-side. Intuitively, we have known that there is an increasing urban-rural split in the state.
Now it is time to do something about it. All along the Rocky Mountain Front, from Colorado to Canada, growth is fast and accelerating. Our quality of life, together with the advent of baby-boomer retirees and Internet "home-workers," has led to an influx of newcomers that has given us the benefits of a thriving real estate and construction sector, but has also resulted in increasingly hostile and frustrating planning and quality-of-life disputes.
The problem is worsened by state legislative districts originally designed with an urban-rural "balance" in mind that no longer fits the facts. The result is that the characteristics, needs and desires of the two basic sectors of our state tend to be compromised into an averaged viewpoint of a largely stagnant Montana economy and culture that is misleading and counter-productive.
By sending "good-old-boy" legislators to Helena, no matter how well-intentioned they may be, we only make the situation worse. We need legislators who have a wider than usual perspective, a bipartisan viewpoint, and the experience to effectively represent our special, fast-growing needs in the inordinately "balanced out" politics of statewide government. It should not, and need not, be a confrontational representation, but it must be an informed and strong one.
Dan Weinberg has shown that he has the perspective, the experience and the commitment to the community that is required. I intend to give him my vote, and I encourage the rest of the voters in Columbia Falls, the Canyon and Whitefish to seriously consider the benefits of doing the same.
Joe Carbonari
Whitefish
Hinchey's true colors
To the editor,
Republicans for the Flathead is a new political action committee urging you to vote Democrat while promoting you to return to Republicanism. Let me repeat that in case you missed it. Republicans urging you to vote Democrat as a means to return to Republicanism. It didn't make anymore sense the second time did it?
It seems John Hinchey and gang is now showing their true colors. They ran as Republicans for county commissioner in the primary. They were upset because they did not receive the endorsement of the Republican Assembly. Along with questions relating to the understanding of the position they were seeking were questions regarding the Republican platform.
They obviously didn't do very well on that as evidenced by their ability to abandon the Republican candidate in support for the Democrat's candidate in the general election, all the while saying they want to "return to Republicanism?" Who's hoodwinking whom with that one?
It sounds to me like the Republican Assembly did a good job with their interview process. They certainly saw something in these former candidates that is now becoming clear to the rest of the public.
Rob Crevier
Kila
CFAC ads off the mark
To the editor,
As a second generation aluminum worker, and an employee who just celebrated my 30th anniversary of employment, I'm appalled by the recent TV commercial by the state Democratic Party. It's not only an attack on Bob Brown, but CFAC also. In my 30 years at the plant, I've worked for four different owners, which in fact have provided good paying jobs, with good benefits, and have pumped millions of dollars into the local community. The fact of the matter is the aluminum plant dollars not only affected its workers, but are eight-fold to the local economy. If you think I'm wrong, just ask local businesses.
In knowing this, Bob Brown, as a legislator from the Flathead Valley, promoted legislation for the aluminum plant, Plum Creek, or whatever other company in the valley, to help the local and state economy.
Brian Schweitzer and the Democratic Party thinks this is wrong? Since when?
The Democratic Party accuses Brown of being a part of the profit-sharing dispute of the 1990s To set the record straight, the two owners not only took from the union workforce but from management and salaried workers. The owners settled with us in 1998.
They said, Brown was a big part of this dispute. Get your facts straight - Bob Brown became a lobbyist and spokesman for CFAC midway 1998 through 2000. On Schweitzer's Web site, Brian accused Brown of lobbying for electric deregulation while at CFAC.
Fact is, Montana's electric deregulation law passed in 1997. Brian Schweitzer and Democratic headquarters—get your facts straight. Bob Brown didn't work for CFAC in 1997.
Finally, in the TV commercial they stated the company sold millions in electrical power and had layoffs while Brown was employed at CFAC. The truth of the matter is CFAC did sell its power, did shut down and continued to pay workers for a year, and then laid off, after the sale of power ended. Bob Brown wasn't at CFAC, he was doing something kind of important—he was Secretary of State.
Brian Doyle
Kalispell
Thank you
To the editor,
We would like to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone who helped make the Oct. 23 benefit for Ron and Myrna Sullens, owners of the Halfway House in Essex, such a fantastic success. The weather could have been a little better, but the atmosphere could not have been warmer.
We would like to say a big thank you to Barb Vinson, of Chester, for bringing up her karaoke machine.
Another of the fun things at the benefit was a "small" on-site raffle. At least, it started small. So many businesses and individuals donated items that it became quite large.
We would like to thank the following businesses: Fun Beverage, Flathead Beverage, Pepsi-Cola, Izaak Walton Inn, Glacier Mountain Shadows Resort, Middle Fork River Inn, The Spiral Spoon, Tire-Rama, J & L Rentals, and Mountain Woods.
The following individuals also donated items: Allen Brown, Noralee Dillon, Thelma Fox, Doc Strand, Marty Phippen, Barb Baumgartner, Mary Junck, Sharon Parmalee and Gwen Henderson.
Thank you one and all for your help and support. God bless you all.
Friends of Halfway House
Essex