Letters to the editor, May 27

In support of Jay Doyle

During my long law enforcement career, I have met and worked with many outstanding men and women. In the 14 years I have known and worked with Jay Doyle, he has proven himself to be one of the most outstanding. Jay is an honest, dedicated, hard working officer that truly cares about the residents of Lake County. 

We have candidates that didn’t know Lake County is a Sheriff Office, not a Sheriff Department or the differences between them. It is imperative that your Sheriff completely understand the Office, the Power and the Responsibility that comes with being your Sheriff. This is not an “I” office, it’s a “We” office, it’s “The People’s” office. Jay Doyle is the only candidate that truly understands this. Jay Doyle worked under three Sheriff’s and one Chief of Police. He learned things in the four different leadership styles that will assist him in his leadership as your next Sheriff, and he is the only Republican candidate that is a certified coroner.

I was your Sheriff/Coroner for two terms. I know how difficult this position is and how important it is to put the right individual in this office. We had some of the biggest cases in Lake County and Jay Doyle led many of them himself or was an active part of the Command Staff in others. When I gave Jay a job to do, I knew I could count on him to get it done, and get it done right. Jay Doyle is the right man for Lake County Sheriff. Jay Doyle was born here, lived here most of his life, raised his family, has a long career of professional service in the Sheriff Office, his highly trained and has a one, five, and ten-year plan for the Sheriff Office.

You’re interaction with the Sheriff Office could affect the rest of your family’s lives. We want a Sheriff with experience, common sense and compassion.

Please vote Jay Doyle Sheriff/Coroner.

Bill Barron

Former Lake County Sheriff/Coroner

Deputies thank you

I would like to say "Thank You" to all of the volunteers who put on, and assisted with the Law Enforcement Appreciation

Breakfast, and Dinner held on May 10 and 12.

Special thanks to Lisa Campbell, and Carol Field of the Swan Mission Search and Rescue, The ladies of the Fourth Avenue Group Home of Flathead Industries, Deputy Kim Leibenguth, Chaplain Jeff Kingery, the Merwin Family, Tootie Lemon, and a special "Thanks" to Bobbie Buff for putting all of this together.

A special "Thanks" to the people of Lake County for your continuing support for your Law Enforcement Community.

Tony Buff

Lake County Deputies

Association

Thank you Amazing Community

The Ed Jaeger Benefit was a tremendous success due to the well organized and well executed work of so many. The rods, antiques and classic car owners brought and displayed many beautiful cars. Generous donations from businesses and individuals throughout the valley were auctioned by the donated service of Roshon Auction Service and active participation by the large crowd made the lunch and auction so successful.

It is a pleasure to live in this caring community, what a great day.

Helen Jeakins

Rollins resident

Medical marijuana

After reading the letter about how medical marijuana is going to severely hurt our communities and the people in them, I am absolutely shocked. Yes, it is absolutely your opinion whether you think that this drug is hurtful or not but I would just like to say "wake up." We should be patting these patients on the back for saying they have had enough with the pharmaceutical companies robbing them for a pill that has so many harmful side effects and that are ending up in our youth's hands at an alarming rate.

Also, I would like to say wake up and look around to what is going on in our community right now. Why are we focusing on medical marijuana or marijuana in general, when there is a huge problem with alcoholism and prescription pills that are ending up in our youth's hands?

Do you actually believe this all starts from allowing patients that are in pain to use this drug to help them even get out of bed in the morning? Get real.

Why can't we, as a community, start focusing on the alcoholism, meth, and pill problem that is plaguing the great people of Polson and start working and focusing on that, instead of harassing these people that only want to be at peace with their medical problems and trying to keep their suffering to a minimal.

I admit I am not that educated in the laws that have been passed and I certainly haven't been in law enforcement for 44 years, but taking an outsider's perspective on this matter, I can see where our tax dollars can be put to better use fighting prescription abuse, alcohol abuse, and the meth problem that we have in our county.

On another note, these men that have opened this shop are obviously not hiding and as I understand they have had an open house for anyone that has any questions about their business. In my opinion, we as a community have condemned this issue of medical marijuana to an extent where people are getting scared of what our great law enforcement is going to do. I don't think that greed is at the center of all this I think that these individuals that are opening these shops truly love what they are doing and want to help people with their prescription needs.

If we want to see examples of greed why don't we start focusing and writing letters to the CEO's of the financial institutions that are living their lavish lifestyles at our expense?

Like I said, I am not nearly as educated in this subject as I probably should be, but I am so sick and tired of hearing people bash this drug when there is so many more harmful things that someone could be doing. Having these patients get their cards from medical doctors and receive their prescription from a controlled environment is going to, if anything, keep these people out of the illegal environments that they have been exposed to because they just need their script filled and they just want to be out of pain.

Elizabeth Fuqua

Polson resident

Endorsement

I write to endorse the candidacy of Ann Smith Brower to the Lake County Commission.

I think your readers, and the voters, should know that Ann is a person of courage and integrity. Ann has been involved in the public sector since her children were little and she made the hard choice to stay home with them during their early years, her parental support of the Ronan schools arose from that choice and fueled her further interest in public service. She's since, and is currently, a Lake County employee in the Elections Office, a volunteer with the Lake County Search and Rescue, and a Ronan City councilperson. Ann's not a carpetbagger bound to set us all straight, but a local gal with deep roots in the community, much practical experience in local government, and a balanced view; facts I consider imperative to elected office.

Most of my close observation of Ann Smith Brower has been in her capacity as a Ronan City councilperson. In that role she has been consistently caring and conscientious.

Elected office involves having to make hard choices, and in this county, most particularly in the areas of land use and budget. Ann has in my view been able and willing to step to the plate when hard choices are necessary. She has clear vision, a level head, hears what the people have to say and makes her own choices. She takes counsel of opposing views, eschews drama, grinds no personal axes and has sought only the public good. In my mind that's a good resume for an elected person.

Your alternatives are unknown to me; other campaigns haven't contacted me to seek or discuss my own views about county government and what they may have to offer. I assume they are men of integrity. I offer no criticism of their persons or platforms.

I think Lake County voters may have reservations about a woman in the County Commission. Ann is a relatively young woman; yet wisdom is not, in my experience, reserved to gray hairs or men.

I vote my conscience and in this case that is clear to me.

Odd as it may seem for a former Polson Pirate to support a former Ronan Maiden, it is my view that Ann Smith Brower is the best qualified candidate for the coming vacancy on the Lake County Commission and I would urge my many friends in the community to take a serious look.

James Raymond

Polson resident

Brower support

I'm a writing in regards to Ann Smith Brower. I have had the honor to work with Ann for several years now in Search and Rescue, Project Kid Care and grant writing. I am truly impressed with her level of professionalism that she has brought to the table during this campaign and with all her endeavors.

She is straight forward, answers questions people have and if she doesn't have the answer she searches and checks resources until she finds the answer.

I feel that Ann will be the candidate that is best suited for the Lake County Commissioner position. She is factual and truly has Lake County's best interests at heart. Ann is interested in all areas of the County and not one ticket item. She strives to bring improvements on technology (computers) and bring organization into the Commissioner's office. I believe Ann will work hard to keep our county a place to be proud of.

Ann has had many years of county and city government experience that the other candidates don't have and that should be greatly valued and considered when voting for her. My vote will be with Ann Brower on June 8, I suggest you do the same.

Tara Carvey

Polson resident