Judge is honorable

In the past few weeks, I have read letters stating our local judge was less than honorable and then again was very honorable. I would have to agree with the latter.

I worked in the same building with Brad Johnson for nearly 13 years. I viewed a few cases that came before the judge and always felt that Brad was more than fair with them.

He has earned a license to practice law both in Montana and Oklahoma. Judge Johnson is respected by his colleagues throughout the state and could easily practice law anywhere.

In my lifetime, I have not found a person that is more dedicated to his job or duty than Brad. I have never seen Brad cut anyone short and not hear him out. This is even true for people that change their story every other sentence.

Brad gives a person the benefit of doubt and has, in my mind, always been on the lenient side. Brad at all times thinks of the city and would never put himself or the city in jeopardy.

This man takes into consideration those people who would not be able to pay a fine, but could do a community service by working a number of hours that would off set the price of the fine.

I have been fortunate to have accompanied Brad on many hunting and fishing trips and have been honored to be one of his trusted friends.

I do not live within Whitefish City limits. When it comes time to vote this election, I cannot vote for Mr. Johnson. For those of you that can vote, please take the time to vote and vote for Judge Bradley Johnson. This man would like your vote and will live up to your expectations. Say yes for Johnson one more time.

Jerry Quinn

Whitefish

Glacier plates work

Thanks for your recent editorial on specialty license plates. Although we thought about putting a menagerie of animals on the Glacier National Park specialty license plate, we settled on an actual photo of beautiful Lake McDonald instead.

The blue of our Big Sky and the lake is a bit aquarium-like; however, more than 10,000 Montanans choose to support the park through the purchase of a license plate. Annually, The Glacier Fund receives $200,000 from license plate sales. The sales greatly enhance our ability to provide assistance to the park.

This summer we are funding 20 project totaling $350,000 that include: The "Discover Glacier Education Program" for area schools; the wolverine ecology project and bighorn sheep study; revegetation of Avalanche Gorge; reconstruction of all lookout trails and trails leading to Granite Park Chalet; bear-proof food storage lockers for campgrounds; and visitor information computer kiosks.

Last Saturday, I was driving up Going-to-the-Sun Road and noticed I was behind three other cars sporting our license plate. Believe it or not, my first thought was not, "Great, here is $80 for The Glacier Fund!" Instead, I thought it wonderful that the people who support us are actually out in their national park enjoying the weekend.

Thanks to the many Montanans who have helped make the specialty license plate program such a success. Your $20 contribution is making a difference in Glacier National Park by protecting valuable natural and cultural resources and enhancing the visitor's experience.

Jan Metzmaker

Executive director

The Glacier Fund

Roving target

The corruption surrounding Karl Rove is just the latest in a string of scandals the Bush administration is involved in. Very serious scandals, such as fixing the facts to take us to war, as the Downing Street memos show, lying about weapons of mass destruction, or Tom Delay's money practices.

Yet there is no formal investigation of anything. This must change, and the only way it will is to change the majority party in either the House or the Senate. The Democrats, who are in the minority, have no ability to bring a formal investigation. Clearly the Republicans, who can bring an investigation, won't.

Therefore, it is up to you and me to get rid of Rep. Dennis Rehberg and Sen. Conrad Burns in our state, while others in their states must get rid of the Republicans, who hold offices in their states. Then maybe, after the elections next year, there will be some accountability to us, the people.

Kate Hunt

Kalispell

Successful stay

We wanted to express our thanks to the City of Whitefish for making our team meetings so succesful. Our group of 17 spent a wonderful week at Grouse Mountain Lodge, where the hospitality is great and the food satisfying. Everyone went out of their way to make our stay a good one.

A number of local businesses helped us in our scavenger hunt version of The Amazing Race. Besides the hospitality of everyone in the community, we were treated to great weather and obviously some of the most beautiful scenery in the country.

So thanks again for making our team meeting so unforgettable.

Deb Nelson, Regis Corp.

Minneapolis

Thanks for the support

We want to extend our sincerest thank you to the overwhelming community support that our family received after the death of our beloved father/husband/grandfather, Larry Schmautz.

The showering of food, flowers, cards and memorial donations are deeply appreciated, as was the genuine outpouring of love, tears and stories that were told as each visitor came to the house and memorial service.

In our deepest sorrow, it is the light of our friends and family that have kept us strong. What an incredibly warm, caring and generous valley this is and we are especially thankful.

The family of Larry Schmautz