Letters to the editor May 4

Campaign character

As a retired law enforcement executive with 29 years of service, I truly admire the integrity and professionalism of Evie Cahalen’s campaign for sheriff in Flathead County. 

She’s taking the high road and not speaking poorly of her opponent, as we’ve witnessed the oppositional group doing to her while running for office. It’s unfortunate when candidates, surrogates and political action committees resort to discrediting and personally attacking opposing candidates. If a candidate is truly confident in their own experience and ability to lead, there should be no need to tear others down or engage PACs to do their dirty work for them, dependent upon political attack tactics to persuade voters. Too often, those tactics suggest weakness rather than strength.

From the beginning, Cahalen has done none of this. There have been no vicious attacks in community letters, only continuous lauding of her exceptional qualifications. The messaging from her campaign consistently focuses on what professional improvements she’ll bring to the Sheriff’s Office in Flathead County. All positive. No discriminatory remarks, lies or mudslinging. This speaks to her character and the level of accountability, integrity, and pride she’ll provide for the employees in the Sheriff’s Office, community leaders and with the highest professionalism for Flathead County residents.

I’ve reviewed Cahalen’s qualifications on her website, and I recommend that everyone who understands and appreciates the value of quality law enforcement leadership do the same. Her experience is extensive, her commitment to her profession unlimited, her qualifications unmatched in this race.

Cahalen has extensive experience developing collaborative community partnerships with law enforcement, which is sorely needed here in Flathead County. What a tremendous asset our candidate for Sheriff, Evie Cahalen, would be to Flathead County and the Sheriff’s Office.

­— Dave Kent, Marion

Lending a hand

The Friends of Thompson Park and Baseball Field want to publicly thank everyone who has helped us continue to remember and honor the father of Kalispell baseball, Gus Thompson, by working together to organize and run games at the field, on one Saturday each spring for each of the past 11 years:  the Kalispell Parks and Recreation; Fred Bicha and Colter Hanson for making sure the field is ready for play; Kalispell Pee Wee Baseball League; Andy Wilson for scheduling teams, prepping the field and sound system; coaches, players and parents for coming to play; umpires for volunteering their skills; the Sunriser Lions Club for providing free concessions; Cliff Lewis and Boy Scout Troop 1901 for presenting the flag at our opening ceremonies; Jacob Thomas, in his vintage baseball uniform, for giving a little biography of Gus; and Jack Keith for telling us his experiences of the early days of baseball at Thompson Field. Without all of you, this special event could not happen, so we extend our heartfelt thanks with hope to continue for many more years.  

­— Betsy Wood, Friends of Thompson Park and Field

It’s electric

As communities across the country grapple with rising fuel costs, air pollution and the growing impacts of global warming, one solution is becoming increasingly clear: the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.

Electric cars offer a cleaner, more sustainable alternative to gasoline-powered vehicles. By producing zero tailpipe emissions, they reduce air pollution and improve public health, especially in urban areas where smog and poor air quality disproportionately affect vulnerable populations.

When you factor in that EVs cost roughly 40% less to fuel, and with fewer moving parts, require about half the maintenance of internal combustion engines, eliminating oil changes and frequent brake replacements entirely, the total cost of ownership is now a clear win for the consumer.

Advances in battery technology have extended driving ranges, while the rapid expansion of charging infrastructure is making electric vehicles more convenient than ever.

Many governments and utilities are also offering incentives that make the transition more affordable for everyday consumers.

Owning an electric car is not just a personal choice, it is a meaningful step toward a more sustainable future. By embracing this technology, we can reduce our dependence on carbon dioxide polluting fossil fuels, lower greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to a healthier planet for future generations.

— Ron Sadler, Kalispell