Supports Pandina for SD5

I have reviewed the list of candidates for the Kalispell School Board and have chosen to support Shaun Pandina as the best qualified.

Having been a parent, school teacher and school superintendent, I want a school board member that would emphasize our constitutional republic in the classroom because we are now headed toward socialism as a country.

Next, curriculum must stick to the basics and not take away the rights of the parents to teach their values. Student achievement and discipline need to be clear and worked out with help from the parents. Board members must understand the budget and priorities on spending. The average spending per pupil in Montana public schools is $16,964 (2023 data) per student. Wise spending is in order because some property owners are having difficulty paying their property tax each year.

The election is May 2, ballots may be returned by mail (immediately) or delivered in-person to the district office by May 2 at 233 First Ave. East.

— Verdell Jackson, Kalispell

Mariman and Warnell best for SD5

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank Jinnifer Mariman and Scott Warnell for running to serve as school board members for School District 5. There has never been a more important time for us to have people of their character and experience serving us in these roles.

I know that Jinn’s background as a mother, business owner, attorney, Division 1 athlete and community volunteer will serve us well during the important deliberations that school board members must engage in.

I also appreciate Scott’s willingness to use his experience as a critical decision maker, coach, volunteer, father, policeman, school resource officer and longtime community member to continue Kalispell’s legacy of quality public schools.

Like many of you, I jealousy guard the treasures that are our local schools, and I am confident that Jinn Mariman and Scott Warnell are the type of tireless advocates and leaders we can count on to partner with our parents and kids on the most critical issues involving our schools.

I am grateful that I will have the opportunity to vote for Jinn and Scott when ballots come out In April, and I encourage you to do the same.

— Frank Garner, Kalispel

Support local schools

In a recent School District 5 board meeting, a community resident told us we should not run levies, because those without a child in school will always vote no. First off, in the district I represent, no one thinks this way. They all fully understand the importance of school funding. They know this...

We could use anything, so, a light switch. Flicking on a light switch, you do it on your way from A to B, no thought at all. Taking a closer look, though. How did that switch get there?

A designer drew up the plans for your house on a computer. Designers know how high to place the switch, not too high, not too low. By the time they hand the plans to the contractors, thousands of decisions have already been made. The contractors work with surveyors and soil engineers on foundation placement. Cement experts pour the foundation and teams start working on the structure. Eventually, there’s your switch. Then there's everyone keeping the grid hot. Just for this switch, we’re talking about hundreds of valley residents who make sure when you flick your wrist, something happens.

Designers and surveyors weren’t born with their abilities. They get that expertise from the public school system. Of the hundreds of people here in the valley who’ve made your light work, check how many graduated from SD5. Property taxes buy you all that support and expertise.

School District 5 works hard to graduate intelligent, competent, problem solvers. You rely on them every day in our valley. We work hard to make sure the young adults we send out to live and work here, are equipped with everything needed to make their dreams come true. Without doubt, when their dreams come true, your dreams come true. Please support our levy.

— Will Hiatt is SD5 board trustee

Mariman an exceptional choice

I was pleased but not surprised to learn that Jinnifer Mariman has found another way to serve our community by running for school board in Kalispell.

Jinn came to work with our law firm with a sincere and deep dedication to helping the people of Libby, people she knew growing up in Libby. Indeed, she set out on a legal career with the precise purpose of being able to serve that community and those neighbors. So I was not surprised when Jinn decided to step up to the plate and serve our community's public schools.

Jinn and her husband have actively plugged into the business and service needs in Kalispell. On the school board, Jinn will hold the needs of our kids close to heart and will be a valuable resource in the board's daily work of assuring that our teachers and school administrators have the direction and support to keep our schools the best in the state. In recognition of our good luck to have her asking to serve our community with her exceptional judgment and skills, please remember to give Jinn Mariman a vote in next month's school board election.

— Allan M. McGarvey, Kalispell

Problems with the state Supreme Court

He just does not get it. In his Feb. 16 opinion column, Jim Elliot does not seem to understand the fundamental problems that are present inside both our Montana Constitution and with the resultant decisions presented by our Supreme Court justices.

Because of nebulous terms inside of the document and because most of our justices are steeped in the theory of “judicial activism,” they have usurped unto themselves way too much power.

Secondly, they are elected almost solely at the behest of attorneys, particularly the Trial Attorneys Association.

Our Legislature is right to move to correct these imbalances.

There are many good statements inside of our Constitution but it is not perfect. Vague words such as “healthful environment” and under the privacy provision “without the showing of a compelling state interest” leave too much room for subjective interpretation according to the personal feelings and political bend of just seven elected attorneys.

A case in point resides inside the decision about abortion in which one person, James Nelson, interpreting these imprecise words, ruled privacy in those cases was protected. Thus, he, by himself, determined there was no compelling state interest inside of the dramatic decision to end a life. That is far over stepping his rights as a judge.

This problem is compounded by the fact that our attorneys are cultured and educated inside of the seamy cauldron of our far-left universities, particularly the University of Montana. It is no secret attorneys are, for the most part, a bastion of the liberal side of the political spectrum. This, in turn and in combination with judicial activism, makes the election of our state Supreme Court justices absolutely partisan no matter what constitutional scholars would like to promote.

But the worst of it resides in the fact that most of our judicial candidates, with minor exception, are hand-picked to run for our Supreme Court, principally by attorneys (particularly the Trial Attorneys). Few people know anything about them when they go to the polls and the vote is traditionally skewed by advertisements generously funded by the Trial Attorneys, their supporters and of course traditional Democrats.

The power of the courts, magnified by judicial activism, is too important to leave to one small group of “professionals.” Our Legislature must move to create an election environment which enhances public knowledge about these candidates, so we the people, can make informed decisions about these seven people who have such an influence on our lives. One good idea is to have them elected by districts created by our Legislature.

Yes, these problems are real, and yes, our Supreme Court is unfortunately partisan and unbalanced. The Legislature is working to restore equilibrium to that institution and, for that, I thank them.

— Mark Agather, Kalispell