Letters to the editor April 20

Hunting licenses

In their great wisdom, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has thrown another obstacle at the state’s hunting community. 

You can no longer go to the counter at your local sporting goods store and buy your hunting license from one of the friendly employees, you must muddle through it online at a kiosk. For us Baby Boomers, that can be easier said than done. 

The other option is to go to the Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ office. The lines were out of the building. 

Hunting is a dying sport we are told through various articles and surveys indicate a steady decline of hunting licenses sold year over year. Older folks represent the largest segment of today’s hunters and they are frustrated by this latest move. 

This will only hasten the demise of hunting. Many will throw up their hands and quit altogether, or worse yet hunt without a license. This also hurts local merchants, as most times a hunter goes into a store to get a license, he also buys other items like ammo, equipment, etc. 

Fish, Wildlife and Parks should reverse this for next year, but when have you ever known a government agency to admit a mistake?

— James Long, Marion

Recommends Hohman

I am pleased to offer my strong endorsement of Cheryl Hohman for Flathead County clerk and recorder.

I had the privilege of working in both the Clerk and Recorder’s Office and the Plat Room, where I first met Cheryl while she was serving as a cadastral specialist in the county GIS department.

Over the course of her 30-year career, Cheryl has developed an exceptional depth of knowledge and a thorough understanding of the county’s records systems, policies and procedures.

Whenever questions or concerns arise, she makes herself readily available to both the public and her colleagues, consistently communicating in a clear and professional manner.

Cheryl is conscientious, hardworking and continually looks for ways to improve processes so the county can provide the highest level of service to the residents of Flathead County.

She has been — and will continue to be — an incredible asset to our community.

Cheryl is approachable and dedicated, always willing to invest her time and energy to ensure that work is done with care, professionalism and a commitment to excellence.

Throughout her many years of service, Cheryl has demonstrated integrity, trustworthiness and strong leadership. I am confident she will bring these qualities, along with her extensive experience, to the role of clerk and recorder.

It is with complete confidence that I recommend Cheryl Hohman for Flathead County clerk and recorder.

— Kathy Davenport, former Flathead County deputy administrative clerk and land specialist

Evie for Sheriff

Some of the credentials Sheriff Brian Heino is running on for another term can sound good, but contribute little, if any, to the performance of law enforcement if facts, truth and law as written are not adhered to.

It is clear to me after my recent involvement in a somewhat complex issue, Heino and many of his deputies perform with little training and discernment in regard to fact, truth and law as written.  Maybe more age could have helped him. Being a third generation Flathead County resident didn’t. 

Heino says he upholds the constitutional rights of everyone. Sounds good, but when he puts the lawful, taxpaying, productive property owner on par with an unlawful, tax consuming, non-productive squatter it actually promotes more criminal activity. I, as a member of “We the people,” (the preamble, not some new radical group) don’t believe the Constitution protects or upholds criminal activity.

The laws I have searched out are very clear that pertain to the criminal activity that prompted my involvement and to push back against it.

I believe that the current Sheriff’s Office has more than a couple dysfunctional problems, and Evie Cahalen has the experience and ability to make the needed changes that will benefit the citizens of Flathead County.

That is why I strongly support Evie for sheriff of Flathead County.

— Larry Anderson, Libby

Inflammatory op-ed

We have never met Rep. Ryan Zinke and do not wish to exchange insults. However, we have known Albert Olszewski and his family for 27 years and Zinke’s inflammatory remarks (Olszewski isn’t telling the truth, April 11) do not describe the person we know. 

We encourage everyone to do your own research and vote wisely.

— Mike and Teresa Kropp, Kalispell

PSC District 5

There has never been a more important time to have energy sector government officials who understand the big picture and the small details and are actively engaged with the citizenry. That is who she is. Vote for Annie Bukacek for PSC District 5.

— Jeanne Hathaway, Kalispell