Montana is ready for "Vote-by-Mail"

After receiving training to be an election judge and observing the training process, I believe Montana is ready to switch their voting system to "Vote-by-Mail." The permanent absentee voters have increased in record numbers so the system is in place. The expense for conducting elections by mail would reduce overall costs considerably.

Recruiting election judges for the election polls is getting more and more difficult as is the training. The new security regulations and electronics the judges are using have put more stress on the entire process. This year an out-of-county person was paid to do the training for more than one session. Also an employment agency was hired to do the employment paper work.

The election department in all the counties of Montana are under more and more stress each election cycle. It is time to look seriously at the "Vote-by-Mail" process the State of Oregon has in place. All registered Oregonians receive ballots in the mail weeks before Election Day, allowing ample time to research issues, review and mark their ballot, and it also eliminates the need to stand in long lines waiting for a polling booth. Oregon's "Vote-by-Mail" has been proven reliable and popular. It is voter-friendly and a high return shows it is convenient. There is always a paper trail.

This year is a presidential election. Both the primary and general elections are going to have large numbers of voters and I predict long lines. If you have a full schedule on June 3 and you don't want to stand in line, apply for an absentee ballot now. Experience the "Vote-by-Mail" process; you won't have to worry about the weather or wonder if the parking is going to be a problem. In the privacy of your own home, you will be able to select the candidates of your choice. Putting a stamp on your ballot (58 cents) is going to be less expensive than driving to the polling place. The social aspect of voting at the polls can be replaced by election return parties in the evening; a relaxed way to enjoy listening with friends to the election results.

JoLynn Yenne

Bigfork

Thanks for the votes

Thanks to all the fine Bigfork voters who supported me in the race for the nonpartisan seat on the Flathead Valley Community College trustees. The Bigfork area needs to have input in the direction the college takes, and it is a very important part of the present and future of the valley. The college's innnovative programs promote the economic growth and soundness of the area, and reflect the forwardness of the board and the administration. I want to be a part of that, and will continue to pursue it. I hope for your further support, and next time, may not have to battle incumbents. Thank you again!

Elna Darrow

Bigfork

Parker for AG

John Parker has the right stuff to be Montana's next attorney general.

In the Cascade County Attorney's Office in Great Falls, he's prosecuted over 850 felony cases, from murder to thievery. He has more prosecutor time under his belt than all the other attorney general candidates put together.

While doing that, Parker also served in the state legislature, where he voted consistently to support Montana's greatest industry — agriculture. He's voted for country-of-origin food labeling, construction of more ag-related education and research facilities at MSU, tougher penalties for meth makers who steal anhydrous ammonia fertilizer from ag producers, and many more farm and ranch bills.

Parker is a Montana native who was raised west of the Divide and works east of the Divide. He knows both sides of this state and deserves to be the next Montana attorney general. If you've already met him, you know what I mean. Sharp, hard-working, a true public servant.

Please cast your vote for John Parker.

Ralph Pomnichowski

Great Falls

Concerns about park

We are writing following the meeting that occurred in Lakeside last Monday evening, May 12, concerning the proposed purchase by the State of Montana of 670 feet of Flathead Lake frontage at Deep Bay. Unfortunately, feelings and opinions ran high and the meeting was very divisive. The meeting seemed divided between two camps: those who seemed to want the State to immediately commit to purchasing Deep Bay property for $15 million and those who want to see feasibility studies completed before endorsing such an expenditure of State funds.

We don't deny the need for additional public access to Flathead Lake. Our question is simply this: Is the Deep Bay property suitable for a park and is $15 million the right price? We would like to see studies addressing the following points:

? Quantity of waterfront that is actually accessible (The 670 feet offered is not entirely usable and the adjacent 100 feet already owned by Flathead County appears unusable when the lake is at full pool)

? Quantity of waterfront that will be available for recreational use after a boat ramp s installed (How much pebble beach will be left for swimming, picnicking, etc?

? Cost of improvements after the initial $15 million (roads, cabins, campsites, well drilling, septic system? Are any other properties under consideration? What is the cost comparison to develop each property?)

? Quantity, location and type of overnight accommodation (After the exit road is added to the meadow, how many spaces are left for campers> Are there any usable spaces for cabins or campsites on the rocky hill above the bay?)

? Cost and logistics of improvements in access roads (The residents of Hughes Bay Road pay privately to oil the north end of the road. How will park traffic be controlled and/or diverted?)

? Occupancy records for West Shore State Park less than a mile away (Is that park at full capacity most of the time?)

? Evaluation of water circulation and ecology (Circulation appears low based on high incidence of swimmer's itch. What affect would discharge from boats and jet skis have on the wildlife?)

For these and other issues a private purchaser would hire engineers to make evaluations before signing a Purchase Agreement. Surely our State representatives would do the same - request Feasibility Studies before agreeing to purchase any property with taxpayer monies. And since it is the Himsl family's wish to honor their family's dream to see a park at Deep Bay, perhaps they would consider holding the property off-market while such studies are performed.

Wade and Carol Mason

Lakeside