Letters to the editor April 9

UM president pick

The leading candidate to be the University of Montana’s new president is Jeremiah Shinn. Mr. Shinn is a surprising choice given that he champions imposing the far left’s agenda of social justice and inclusion (SJI) on students. In 2022, Mr. Shinn co-authored an academic article in the Journal of Student Affairs where he advocated:

[G]raduate programs should require coursework and other program elements (e.g., theories, discussions, assignments) that further SJI foundational competencies around individual identities, privilege, power, diversity, inclusion, equity and systemic forms of oppression (e.g., racism, classism, ableism). While this can include focused courses, SJI content should be integrated throughout the entire curriculum.

Note he wants to require all graduate programs to include this leftist rubbish. He doesn’t limit it to fields such as sociology, where one expects such nonsense, but rather the entire curriculum, presumably computer science and music. Who knew Beethoven was racist?

Mr. Shinn writes that, “assignments should be created where students analyze how racism has shaped higher education historically, how it manifests presently on campus and in functional areas, and how they have benefited from or been oppressed by race.”  

On Mr. Shinn’s ideal campus, everything must be viewed through the prism of race. He clearly disdains Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream that people “not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

As UM struggles with enrollment, Mr. Shinn’s race-based, required assignments are exactly what causes parents to send their children elsewhere. The Board of Regents should reject Mr. Shinn.

— Duncan Scott, Kalispell

Reelect Bukacek

I’m writing to encourage everyone to vote for Dr. Annie Bukacek for reelection to the Public Service Commission for District 5. 

Bukacek has been a leader and tireless advocate for the citizens of District 5 and truly represents the best interests of our community. Bukacek values principles and not compromise and takes her position with the PSC very seriously. Please vote to reelect Bukacek for District 5 to help us keep the lights on.

— Julie Martin, Kalispell

Moms for Heino

I have lived in this community for over 50 years. This is where I raised my children, where my roots are, and where my family continues to serve.

My daughter works at the detention center. Because of that, I pay very close attention to the leadership of our Sheriff’s Office. It is critically important to me as it should be to every parent that the safety of our officers is taken seriously. These are not just employees, they are our sons and daughters, our neighbors, and members of our community.

Sheriff Brian Heino has demonstrated that he understands this responsibility. Leadership matters in law enforcement, especially in a detention environment where quick decisions and experience can mean the difference between safety and tragedy. Knowing that there is steady, experienced leadership in place gives me peace of mind not just for my daughter, but for every family who has a loved one working in that facility.

While his opponent may be a nice person, I simply do not believe this is a position for on-the-job learning. The stakes are too high. When it comes to the safety of our officers, I don’t think it is worth taking a chance on someone we don’t know in such a critical role.

As parents, we all have to ask ourselves: would we want to trust our child’s safety to a stranger?

I stand with experience, proven leadership and a commitment to safety.

— Tamela Bjornstad, Kalispell

Hohman is a leader

My name is Paula Robinson, and I am proud to endorse Cheryl Hohman for clerk and recorder.  

I have 31 years of county and city government experience, including 12 years as elected Flathead County Clerk and Recorder. Cheryl’s 30 years of working for Flathead County managing land records, along with her work in the plat room, GIS, recording documents and records management, give her a comprehensive perspective on how this office can improve.  

She believes leadership should be hands-on, open-minded and rooted in honest conversations.  She is dedicated to public service and believes in collaborating with others to make operations more efficient. Cheryl is committed to modernizing records and streamlining workflows, ensuring that Flathead County is prepared for the future.  

With her decades of experience and unwavering commitment, I know she is the leader we need. 

— Paula Robinson, Columbia Falls