Animal shelters

This letter is to clarify information in Oct. 6's Whitefish Pilot letter by Gee Weaver.

As a longtime board member of the local Humane Society, which operates the Charlotte Edkins Animal Adoption Center on U.S. Highway 93, even I, who am familiar with the subject, was having a difficult time discerning what was being said. I had to re-read the letter several times.

I think the general public would be very confused in her references to shelters and the Humane Society, and whatever else.

The point I'd like to make is there are two animal "shelters," for lack of a better description, serving our community. The Flathead County Animal Control facility, I believe, is primarily the focus of her letter.

The Humane Society is forever trying to differentiate itself from the county animal control facility, as that is a government agency with which we have no affiliation or control over. They do house and adopt out pets. They must, by their mandate, practice euthanasia. They do not provide routine medical treatments for their wards, and they, unfortunately, do not require that their adopted animals be spayed and neutered prior to adoption.

This is not intended to be judgmental, as county animal control has a different mission and mandate from ours, it is just a statement of the facts. Although I, too, wish the county would require spaying and neutering prior to adoption. I believe the writer's complaints were primarily focused on the practices at the county animal control facility.

The Humane Society, which operates the Charlotte Edkins Animal Adoption Center, is a non-profit, no-kill animal adoption center. We do on occasion receive animals from the county whose "time is up" — we are compassionate and have big hearts for animals. We do not practice euthanasia. Our animals receive routine and non-routine medical care, and all are spayed and neutered prior to adoption.

The point of my letter is to clarify the distinction between the two local animal adoption facilities, and to make certain no one thinks it is the Humane Society who is adopting out animals whose health has been neglected, that are not spayed/neutered, or that we "pressure" people.

Linda Babiak, Board Member

Humane Society of NW Montana

Making a difference

I have known Nancy Woodruff for approximately 15 years as an aquaintance and have watched her apply intelligence, articulation and integrity to make a difference.

I feel her education, valuable insight and perspective gained through her experiences will help her contribute wisely to the Whitefish City Council.

She has lived here and worked for the Daily Inter Lake as a journalist/photographer, spent time out of the area and returned to our community.

That said, I would like to urge every possible voter to consider Nancy Woodruff as a candidate for city council.

Rosella W. Mosteller

Whitefish

Common sense

Intelligence, integrity and common sense.

Get to know Nancy Woodruff, as I have over the past 18 years, and you will find these traits true of her and an asset to the Whitefish City Council.

Please join me in voting for Nancy on Nov. 8.

Marjorie Wilson

Whitefish

Voice of experience

Currently, incumbent Brad Johnson is running for the Whitefish City Court judge seat. At a time when the justice system is under close scrutiny, it is crucial that this position be held by a candidate who has a comprehensive knowledge of the law and the highest ethical standards. Without a doubt, Johnson is that candidate.

During his tenure on the bench, Johnson has always presided with unquestioned integrity. He has consistently employed common sense, an innate sense of fairness and a commitment to the ethical constructs to resolve disputes.

Johnson's temperament and demeanor are ideally suited for the bench. He is always courteous yet firm, and he approaches disputes calmly, logically and rationally. Johnson has an excellent legal mind and, as such, serves as a valuable speaker and educational resource to attorneys and judges across the state. Johnson is committed to rendering efficient and fair justice in the city of Whitefish.

As the Billings Municipal Court judge, I have discussed with him the tremendous fiscal benefits and improved quality of justice realized since Billings converted from a city court to a municipal court approximately 10 years ago.

As a result of his years of judicial experience, Johnson is keenly aware that Whitefish is a sophisticated city with progressive needs. If the city council were in the future to consider becoming a municipal court, Johnson is the judge to assure a smooth transaction, which would save the citizens and litigants time and money, while rendering a verbatim record of all judicial proceedings.

Late this summer, I had the opportunity to attend a judges meeting in the Flathead Valley. While visiting a number of businesses in Whitefish on my personal time, and discussing the reason for my trip, I met with consistent comments regarding Johnson's tenacious dedication to the city in which he serves.

Johnson is an excellent judge and a devoted public servant. I urge you to support his candidacy and to cast your vote for his re-election this November.

Mary Jane McCalla Knisely

Billings

Who to vote for?

With election time coming up, there are new faces showing up everywhere, including at my door. I'm not sure about other people, but for me, voting seems a complicated issue. Trying to figure out, who to vote for and why, where do they stand on issues that are important to me, the environment and for perhaps the next generation?

At least for this election period I know who I am going to vote for — Nancy Woodruff.

I have known Nancy since about 1986. For a brief time, we worked together on the same newspaper. We also had some of the same friends.

Sometimes a group of us would meet for breakfast, and inevitably an issue would come up that would involve the city. It seems as though we would always ask Nancy what she knew about this issue and her thoughts on it. It seemed to me she would always give fair and precise information. I learned a lot listening to her.

I live here because I love the quiet and this big outdoors. It is wonderful to be able to get on your bike and ride out into the country, or drive a little ways and get out and hike along the ridges and lakes. The water here is beautiful and clean. I am still amazed when I come alongside the river and see it sparkling away, running along unencumbered.

Nancy went away for awhile, to go to school. She came back, because she loves it here, too.

Rebecca Patchell

Whitefish