Letters to the editor May 5

A question for Sheriff Heino

Brian Heino’s campaign slogan is “For the Flathead, From the Flathead.” He has built his entire campaign upon the fact that he is from Montana, and his opponent is not. 

Which leaves one to wonder; what about those who aren’t from the valley, or even from Montana? Will they get the same care and consideration?

In the 2024 census, it was discovered that only 44.6% of residents in Flathead County were born in Montana. That means that the greater population that Sheriff Heino would be, and is, serving are predominantly people not from the valley or even from Montana at all. By basing his entire campaign upon the fact that he’s from Montana, he’s alienating well over half of the people he claims to be serving.

So again I ask: Who does Sheriff Heino truly intend on serving?

— Abigail George, Hungry Horse

Trusts Heino

The primary election for Flathead County Sheriff is underway, and voters face a clear choice.

Sheriff Brian Heino is a proven leader with a strong record of professionalism, experience and public service. He administers, directs and manages not only law enforcement operations to include detention, but also serves as Flathead County Director of Office of Emergency Services, coordinator of search and rescue, and county coroner. These duties demand coordination, sound judgment and real-world experience. His leadership is recognized across Montana, including by past and current law enforcement leaders in Kalispell, and through his leadership with the Montana State Sheriffs’ Association.

His opponent, by contrast, has been out of law enforcement for nearly 20 years following her career with the Montgomery County Police Department in Maryland. While that service is commendable, she lacks direct experience in critical Office of Emergency Services, search and rescue, and coroner responsibilities currently overseen and managed by the sheriff.

More concerning to me is her stated vision to remove these functions from the Sheriff’s Office entirely. This would represent a significant and untested shift in how public safety services are delivered in Flathead County. Based on my own interaction, I also have concerns about her judgment, character, integrity and approach, including her disparaging comments of prior and current sheriffs.

It is time for the other candidate to enjoy a well-deserved retirement and ride her Harley Davidson trike.

Flathead County benefits from steady, experienced leadership. Sheriff Heino has demonstrated that leadership and remains committed to serving this community.

As a former sworn law enforcement officer of 33 years, I trust and support Sheriff Heino for re-election.

— Jerry Gillies, Kalispell

Character assassination

I am proud to endorse Rep. Linda Reksten for re-election as our Representative in House District 13.

Linda’s conservative voting record reflects her being a champion for education, first as chairman of the House Education Committee and also with the legislation she has carried and passed. Linda works well with local and county governments, schools and many other local and state organizations. As a former legislator I can tell you these relationships matter when it comes to getting things done.

Linda’s opponent in the primary is a young man who recently relocated to Lake County. His knowledge base on issues specific either to Lake County or statewide is woefully lacking in both substance and detail. They are just generic talking points.

The dark money groups which ironically call themselves Americans for Prosperity and accountability in state government have hammered us with mailers internet posts and ads attempting character assassination on Linda. They know nothing about our communities or issues. In a mailer they claim that Linda is a tax and spend politician. Last session she voted to cut both income and property tax which also included a rebate. She supported Medicaid expansion which covers about 80,000 Montanans, saves the state budget tens of millions of dollars and just as importantly helps keep our two local hospitals open. The state budget last session increased 0.7 %.  This is well under the inflation rate. Doesn’t sound like tax and spend to me.

Please consider joining me in supporting local    representation and vote to reelect Linda Reksten for House District 13.

— Former Sen. Dan Salomon, R-Ronan

Warden is the next generation

After nearly 15 years representing Lake County in the Montana Legislature, I have learned a simple truth: A legislator’s job is to vote in alignment with their constituents’ values and not government bureaucrats and lobbyist. That is why I strongly support Finley Warden for House District 13.

Finley Warden represents the next-generation leadership we need. As a sixth-generation Montanan and in the mold of Charlie Kirk, he understands the hard-working families of Polson and rural Lake County. He has worked in Helena in the last two legislative sessions as a citizen advocate, fighting for lower taxes, reduced spending and removing left-wing ideology from schools. He will bring principled leadership and deliver the results our district has demanded.

I served with Linda Reksten for three legislative sessions, only to be deeply disappointed. She has consistently listened to government bureaucrats and lobbyist instead of focusing on Montana constituents. This has resulted in her voting with a small minority of Republicans and all Democrats in passing legislation that has expanded special interest state spending, opposing meaningful property tax relief and advancing far-left ideology.

The Montana Republican Party recently admonished her for her liberal voting record, hiring the former head of the Montana Democrat Party as her campaign manager and accepting large donations from far-left billionaires. Rather than distancing herself and returning far-left donations, she has doubled down, and the party expelled her. Republican voters have come to realize she is not an independent-thinking Republican.

Finley Warden, by contrast, is endorsed by the Montana and Lake County Republican parties and by organizations that advocate for conservative values and lower taxes.

After many years in public service, I look forward to serving alongside Finley Warden to deliver the results Lake County and Montana residents want and deserve. Join me in voting for Finley Warden for House District 13 on June 2.

— Sen. Greg Hertz, R-Polson

Time to change course

Our county commissioners and planning director have once again chosen expediency over accountability — advancing a plat proposal without fully following established policy and process, despite clear environmental concerns.

At a recent public hearing, citizens cited documented violations identified by the Flathead Conservation District and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality following last fall’s investigations. Yet Mr. Erik Mack stated staff “did not have time” to review the final plat before it expired. That is not an explanation — it is an admission of failure. When there isn’t time to do the job properly, the responsible course is to delay the decision — not approve it.

This is not an isolated case. We’ve seen the same pattern with projects such as Steamboat Landing and Lakeside Marina: legitimate concerns about setbacks, traffic and environmental impacts are raised, then ignored — only to be followed by lawsuits. Once approvals are granted, the legal, financial and environmental consequences are far more difficult to reverse.

Now, multiple groups — including Friends of Somers, Citizens for a Better Flathead and even the Conservation District — have filed lawsuits against the commissioners. That should be a wake-up call. Instead, it appears to be business as usual.

Taxpayers are footing the bill for mounting legal defenses — costs that could be avoided by simply following existing county policies and Montana law. These are not suggestions, they are requirements.

Our community is informed, engaged and paying attention. County leadership must change course. Follow the law, follow your own policies and do the work before granting approvals.

Anything less is a disservice to the public.

— Jim Mathieu, Somers