Letters: Cooney will serve all Montanans
Cooney will serve all Montanans
As a proud second-generation union member, I hope you'll join me in electing Mike Cooney for governor. Mike Cooney is repeatedly attacked for his many years dedicated to representing the people of Montana, but his lengthy track record assures me that as governor he will stand up for middle-class jobs like mine.
Conversely, Greg Gianforte wants to eliminate unions through so called "right-to-work" legislation. In right-to-work states, union and non-union members alike make less money, receive smaller employer health plan contributions and have lower employer-sponsored pensions. During his time as Montana's lone representative, Greg Gianforte even voted against raising the federal minimum wage for the first time in a decade.
Greg Gianforte has been wealthy his whole life, so of course he doesn't care about strengthening the middle class. Let's lift all Montanans by electing Mike Cooney in November.
— Caitlin Shelman, St. Ignatius
Consider actions over fears
I refer to sin as any legislation that is not in the best interest of Montanans. It seems that many of the anti-Bullock ads tell that he may sin against us if elected. Many of the anti-Daines ads tell us of the many sins Daines has already committed. As of now, only one candidate has to repent.
— Peter Daniels, Polson
Reksten for HD12
We are fortunate to have Dr. Linda Reksten for a legislative candidate in House District 12. A fourth-generation resident of Polson, Linda has a distinguished 34-year career in education, with 17 years as an elementary school principal and four years as superintendent of Polson schools. Also, she has authored two books on student achievement. She was honored by President George W. Bush for her work. We can be confident that she will represent all the people of Lake County. She has studied taxation and is an advocate for lower taxes.
Linda is intelligent, thoughtful and a good listener. She carefully considers all aspects of any proposal, exactly the qualities we need in a good legislator. Her expertise in education issues will be a great benefit to the Legislature. Please join me in voting for Linda Reksten for House District 12 of the Montana Legislature.
— Barbara J. Burbank-Larson, Polson
Browning best for HD12
We have a great choice for representative from House District 12: Gerry Browning. I got to know Gerry mainly through her volunteer work as treasurer of the Flathead Lake International Cinemafest. As the owner of two different Polson businesses, Gerry was deeply vested in the Polson community and brought her expertise to bear on our board.
Gerry has demonstrated her commitment to our community over time. First, as a nurse, then as a business owner and by serving on our board of trustees for District 23. More recently, she and her husband transformed the notorious Wolf Den into a more civilized watering hole.
Gerry is a thoughtful listener who leads by example. She is whip-smart, knows how to pinch a penny, and she has the good humor and tenacity to accomplish good works. Please join me in supporting Gerry with your vote this fall. She will be a positive contributor to our Legislature.
— Mac Swan, Polson
Support Pavlok for HD93
I am writing in support of Lisa Pavlock, who is running for House District 93. I am a former two-term Montana state legislator who learned what makes a good legislator. Lisa is a good listener, a hard worker and she has the experience and background for problem solving. I believe these are her strengths, and they make her a great fit to represent her constituents in HD93.
Affordable health care quality is one of the issues at the top of Lisa’s priorities. She will work to protect Medicaid expansion and support rural health clinics. She feels these are both important in providing affordable health care for Montanans.
I am a retired teacher who invested 40 years in the public school system in St Ignatius. Quality public education for Montanans has always been a top priority for me, as it is for Lisa. She is an educator by training and will make certain that public schools are funded adequately. She feels they are the backbone of our communities.
Please consider giving Lisa Pavlock your vote. We need to elect a good listener and a hard worker like Lisa for HD93.
— John Fleming, St .Ignatius
Re-elect Read to HD93
I encourage Lake County voters in House District 93 to re-elect Joe Read to represent them in the Montana Legislature.
If you value conservative values and the concept of constitutionally restrained and limited government so that individual rights of life, liberty and property are secure, Joe will represent you well. He has courage to resist political expediency and the entrenched statist mindset that has driven the growth and arrogance of government well beyond the boundaries of the Constitution.
Joe has been kind enough to promptly respond to my inquiries and concerns regarding legislation in the past, even though I do not live in his district. That is demonstrative of Joe's diligence in doing his job well. (My state representative and state senator are from Browning, thanks to blatant gerrymandering by the redistricting commission, and have not once responded to my several inquiries and questions over the years.)
Vote for Joe Read in House District 93 (generally southern Lake County).
— Rick Jore, Ronan
Pavlock best for HD93
Lisa Pavlock would be a representative in the Legislature who would prioritize the health and well-being of the people in
Lake County. Lisa understands that we must have access to affordable health care in our district in order to continue to grow our economy and support our residents. This means supporting Medicaid expansion and focusing on funding for our rural health clinics as well as the Indian Health Service.
As an educator, Lisa also knows that investing in our students must be a priority. Putting funding toward our public schools and supporting the teachers and students will ensure that we inspire the next generation and keep our community strong.
I know Lisa to be a strong leader, a diligent learner and an assiduous listener who will be dedicated to those who elect her.
She will bring her strong voice to Helena with listening skills and common sense that has been thought out well before speaking. Your vote matters, and I encourage you to exercise your voice by voting for Lisa Pavlock for HD93.
— Janette Rosman, Charlo
Vote Reksten for HD12
I would like to thank the voters of House District 12 for electing me to represent them for the last eight years. It has been an honor representing the citizens of Montana and Lake County.
I know both of the candidates running to replace me as the Representative for HD12. Only one of those individuals will continue to represent voters as I have with the same values and principles that a majority of voters in HD12 expect. That individual is Linda Reksten.
Linda was born and raised in Lake County. She understands our community and will work hard to solve problems we all share as citizens of Lake County and Montana.
Linda served as the superintendent of schools for Polson, which provides her with the understanding of the complexity of school funding and rules that every legislator must understand. School funding is extremely complex and takes many legislators years to understand. Linda will be ready on Day One. Her experience will be especially helpful since education expenditures represent a significant portion of our state budget.
I would encourage all voters to join me in supporting and voting for Linda Reksten for HD12.
— Greg Hertz, Montana Speaker of the House, Polson
Browning is best for HD12
I am writing to encourage you to vote with me for Gerry Browning, the Democratic candidate running for legislature in House District 12. I have known Gerry for at least 20 years — first, as the store owner of the Terrace, a flower and gift shop on Main Street in Polson, where she not only managed a great store but worked with other owners as part of the Polson Downtown Association to develop the Cherry Festival; then as a board member of the Polson Economic Development Agency, where she worked to support the reconstruction of Main Street.
Following the sale of the Terrace she and her husband, Joe, bought one of the worst storefronts and transitioned it into a beautiful wine bar to further attract people to the newly developed Main Street area. I have witnessed her as a good and thoughtful listener and engaged community member, and when acting as a team member to bring a project together, seeking compromise amongst disparate ideas. Her goals have always been to make decisions putting the community first. Her experience, from nursing and health care to business owner and community activist, make her uniquely qualified to represent us all — as listener and decisionmaker on the very issues we most care about: education of the next generation, health care and sustainability of our rural hospitals, public lands we love, and the environment that surrounds
us. See for yourself where Gerry stands on the issues. Go to gerrybrowning.com — then vote.
— Billie Lee, Polson
Reksten’s experience matters
I’m writing in support of Republican Linda Reksten for HD 12. Linda has a proven record of leadership. She has a clear understanding of school funding, one of the major components of state and county budgets. Linda has faced challenges with integrity, strength and the background required to steer policy in ways that are fiscally sustainable and yield positive results. She was recognized for outstanding student achievement by former President George W. Bush.
Although she has studied all over the West and earned her doctorate at UCLA, she chose to return home to serve as Polson’s superintendent of schools.
Please consider this level of dedication when you vote in November.
— Carmine Mowbray, Polson
Browning deserves your vote
We’ve read with interest the many letters to the editor in The Lake County Leader and other local papers in support of Gerry Browning for House Representative District 12. However, Mac Swan’s letter in the Missoulian, dated Sept 27, really hit home for us — “She is whip-smart, knows how to pinch a penny, and has the good humor and tenacity to accomplish good works.” For all her myriad accomplishments that so many have written about for weeks, this is the Gerry Browning we’ve known and worked with for almost 20 years. This is the Gerry Browning we know has the experience and the “tenacity” and who will give her absolute best for Montana and for those she’ll represent in House District 12. Give her your vote.
— Marie and Marty Mumma, Polson
Reksten knows HD12
Dr. Linda Reksten is an outstanding legislative candidate in House District 12. A fourth-generation resident of Polson, Linda has a distinguished 34-year career in education, with 17 years as an elementary school principal, four years as Polson schools superintendent, and she’s written two books on student achievement. She was honored by President George W. Bush for her work.
As a former legislator for Lake County, I know what is required to do the job, and Linda is extremely well qualified. Her expertise as an educator and as a superintendent of schools, where she was responsible for preparing and overseeing a large budget, will be invaluable in dealing with the state budget. Linda also is very intelligent, personable, thoughtful and she’s a good listener to all sides of an issue, very important qualities to have as a legislator.
It is a pleasure to unequivocally recommend voting for Linda Reksten for HD12 of the Montana Legislature.
— Janna Taylor, Dayton
Reksten for HD12
Linda Reksten is highly qualified to serve in the state legislature to replace Greg Hertz, who is running for Senate. Linda is a fourth-generation Montanan going back to homestead days in the Polson area. She has achieved a lot in life, is well educated and is also very practical, down to earth, hard working and approachable.
Linda is a conservative Republican and is very open about her legislative goals, not hiding behind generalities that some candidates use to mask their real agenda. She is very interested in hearing from voters. Her priorities include: high-quality education for teachers, students and staff in safe and healthy facilities by upgrading building security features and reinstating school resource officers; reducing the tax burden on citizens, especially property taxes in Lake County; making Montana more business friendly by reducing red tape and providing other incentives; strengthening and supporting family and community, especially protecting all lives; protecting private property rights; protect, support and strengthen agriculture and strengthen promotions of Montana products as world-renown brands.
Check out Linda Reksten online, on facebook or give her a call, and please vote for Linda Reksten for Montana.
— Mary Mutch, Polson
Reksten is best for HD12
Dr. Linda Reksten is an outstanding candidate for the Montana Legislature in House District 12. As a fourth-generation resident of Polson, Lake County is home for Linda and she knows the territory. She has a distinguished 34-year career in education, with 17 years as an elementary school principal, four years as Polson schools superintendent, and she’s written two books on student achievement. She was honored by President George W. Bush for her work.
Her expertise as an educator and as a superintendent of schools, where she was responsible for preparing and overseeing a large budget, will be invaluable in dealing with the state budget. Linda also is very intelligent, personable, thoughtful and a good listener to all sides of an issue, very important qualities to have as a legislator. Linda has studied taxation issues in Montana and in Lake County and believes that the residents of Lake County pay too much tax. As a
legislator, she is committed to work for lower taxes. Linda is endorsed by many Polson community leaders as well as by our current and former legislators, Greg Hertz and Janna Taylor. Please join me in voting for Linda Reksten for House District 12.
— David Passieri, St Ignatius