Letters to the editor April 23

Can vouch for Olszewski

After reading negative comments by Rep. Ryan Zinke regarding Dr. Al Olszewski in his campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives, I feel compelled to set the record straight on a couple of things. 

With all due respect to our sitting congressman, he is wrong about Dr. Al. I grew up with Al in Great Falls, and we have been great friends ever since. We also served together in the Air Force. 

Contrary to Ryan’s assertion, Al never claimed he was a military pilot. Dr. Al served as a flight surgeon, which is an aerospace medicine specialist, for our flying squadron. In that role he was required to fly with us to understand the unique health aspects of the aviation environment. 

As a T-38 instructor pilot I was fortunate to fly with Al on multiple flights. He always flew under the supervision of an instructor pilot during training missions that included aerobatics, low level navigation, and 4- ship formation flying. 

Contrary to Ryan’s assertion, Al is not a liar. I understand that politics can get ugly and attack ads work. But calling my good friend a liar is going too far. I have known him for decades to possess the highest moral character and integrity. He is one of the most honest people I know. 

Dr. Al’s positions on the important issues are well documented from his years of service in the Montana Legislature and other recent campaigns. Please evaluate him based on that and cast an informed ballot. 

— Jeff Robbin, Bigfork

Cost of data centers

If anyone on the Public Service Commission can be trusted to keep data center costs from being passed onto ratepayers, it is Dr. Annie Bukacek. 

AI tech oligarchs, in their insatiable lust for power (the electric kind), have turned their gaze upon Montana, eying it as a home for new data centers to power their large language models. These are massive parasites on electrical grids, and in other states their enormous energy usage has wrought subsidization and steep rate hikes for consumers. The only commissioner I have heard publicly address these problems with understanding is Dr. Bukacek.

I don’t want commissioners who don’t understand these issues, or who drop off the radar after the election, never again to be heard from. Nor do I want a commissioner who yields to monied interests, or establishment overlords who benefit from them. I want someone who researches problems, votes accordingly and doesn’t fear speaking up when it challenges the political establishment. No one has ever accused Dr. Bukacek of being afraid to speak up.

Establishment-backed challengers from Helena, manufactured controversies and PSC drama are to be expected. When this happens, you know Dr. Annie is over the target. Vote for Dr. Annie Bukacek’s second term for PSC District 5.

— Chris Weil, Kalispell

Heal thyself

There is a stench oozing out of the Flathead County Republican Central Committee.  

Many of our grandparents and parents would spit with disgust, as they have seen this odious movie before: Lenin, Stalin, Hitler, Mao, Putin, Xi.  Genuflection before secret “vetting” committees.  Censures. Fear of fresh air. 

Who would have thought that instead of endorsing an outstanding sheriff, a lady from Marion with barely nine years in the Flathead and zero sheriff experience and zero rural law enforcement experience would get the “blessing” merely by kissing the ring?  You can’t make this stuff up. Not exactly Montana values.

The good voters of the county usually smell this disease a mile away, lance the boil on Election Day and the foul pus drains.  

Central committee, heal thyself.

— Andy Palchak, Kalispell

Downright lies

Lyin’ Ryan strikes again. From the ash heap of his political career comes a whiny, inaccurate opinion piece full of inferences, accusations, false statements, and yes, downright lies.  

I have a couple questions for Rep. Ryan Zinke: Since you are no longer running for office will you finally release your DD214 so we can all confirm what we’ve already suspected, that you have likely misrepresented some of your military background?  

Could you confirm that you composed your own opinion piece and did not just sign your name to a letter most likely written by your soon-to-be former chief of staff and current campaign chief for Aaron Flint, Heather Swift, or one of her minions? Can you explain why you frequently attend and speak at Flint’s campaign stops? Did polling indicate your hand-picked successor needs a boost from the current congressman?

 Regarding the slanderous accusation of stolen valor, be cautious of inferences and accusations. I have never heard or seen written in a viable source that Al Olszewski claims to be anything other than an Air Force major who served as a flight surgeon and orthopedic surgeon caring for active-duty personnel and veterans. Show your proof or withdraw your false claim.

Regarding the “Docs Caucus” support, debt repayment and statements made regarding Zinke’s career, the statements made are hearsay and opinions, not facts. Again, show your evidence or withdraw your false claims. Flint’s residency claims are easily verified online.  

Regarding legislative experience, working as a paid employee for governors, legislators and on campaigns does not equate to actual legislative experience. Olszewski served as a legislator in Montana for six years and does indeed have the experience.  Again, I ask you to rescind your false claims. 

Zinke’s hit piece accusing Al of being a liar sounds like sour grapes and liberal projection.

— Janet Walters, Bigfork

Progressive complaints

Progressive liberal Valeri McGarvey (April 13, Rights for All Americans) defends the Soros funded No Kings marches in the Flathead by comparing illegal immigrant border enforcement to taking away the constitutionally sanctioned 2nd Amendment right to own guns upheld time and again by the Supreme Court.

She posits the hypothetical action of a Democrat House, Senate and presidency unconstitutionally arresting law-abiding citizens for owning guns as similar to the current mandate by the government and the majority of citizens to deport those who have illegally entered our country during the auto pen presidency.

She then complains that these poor illegals are held without “medical treatment, adequate food, water or bedding,” left to die without “insulin, heart medication or even dental care.”  

Really, Ms. McGarvey? Did you complain when former President Obama kept kids on the floor  in chain link fenced cages with foil blankets for warmth?

Could you supply me with the names and numbers of illegals who have died due to withholding insulin and heart medications? Are you complaining because they don’t get transgender treatment as in California?  

I can provide you with a list last compiled by Americans for Legal Immigration PAC on Feb. 18 (which I am sure you will claim as false) that included hundreds if not thousands of names of victims of illegal immigrant murders with links to details. Can you reference a similar list of so-called mistreated illegal aliens? I doubt it.

So please spare me your sympathy for people who broke our law to enter, are protected from deportation by progressives such as yourself, and many of whom have committed murder, not to mention rape and assault. 

Even one preventable death by allowing these people to enter our country largely unvetted is unconscionable.

— David Myerowitz, Columbia Falls

Cayuse Prairie levy

I’m the board chair for the Cayuse Prairie School Board and am asking for support for the upcoming general fund levy. 

Levies are designed to be a key way that taxpayers exercise local control over our schools.  The state sets a minimum guaranteed funding that covers baseline operations and the legally mandated basics. Anything a school wants to do that goes beyond the minimum comes from locally voted levies. For Cayuse Prairie, these “nice to haves” include our horticulture program, sports and music — all key elements of a well-rounded education.

 Since I’ve been a trustee, every year the conversation around the budget has centered around what needs to be cut. Anything that we could get rid of or trim without majorly impacting our students has already been cut. We are getting to the bone at this point. Our starting teacher pay is at the minimum required by state law ($41,615 per year). Our subs make $13.50 per hour. Many of our staff are able to work at Cayuse only because a spouse makes more money elsewhere. We have a strong culture and produce solid student outcomes at Cayuse but we can’t expect to keep that if we continue to keep pay at the legal minimum.  

The proposed levy will maintain our current programs, provided a needed raise for our teaching and support staff, and add key support staff to meet the needs of our growing school and address deferred maintenance. Each of these helps maintain the positive culture at Cayuse for our staff, and most importantly, for our kids.

I am happy to answer any questions from residents of the Cayuse district and I’d expect representatives from the trustees from the other districts would be happy to as well. Please vote yes!

— Tyler Hash, Kalispell