Letters to the editor, May 20, 2026

Heights concerns

The Teakettle Heights development at the former Columbia Falls Aluminum plant site is moving forward on land that the EPA and Montana DEQ have deemed clean, even though it lies immediately adjacent to an EPA Superfund site. I appreciate developer Ruis’s effort to provide affordable housing, but I remain concerned about several aspects of this project:

· It could place additional strain on already stretched infrastructure, including roads, sewer systems, schools, and emergency services.

· It could significantly alter the character of a nearby residential area where many people have lived peacefully for decades.

· Many residents feel their concerns have not been meaningfully addressed by city and county officials, and that practical mitigation measures—such as larger setbacks, lower density, and reduced building heights—have not been adequately pursued.

Primary Concern: Long-Term Exposure Risk

My greatest concern is the decision to build a residential community in a location where contaminants from the nearby Superfund site could still affect future residents. I recognize that EPA and Montana DEQ have conducted extensive studies and believe they have the knowledge to conclude that this land is suitable for habitation. Even so, my professional experience suggests that additional caution is warranted.

As Aristotle observed, “The more you know, the more you realize you do not know.”

For more than 30 years, I led Environment, Safety, and Health work at the Hanford Nuclear Site restoration project in southeastern Washington. There, we conducted extensive site characterization and mitigation before releasing land north of Richland for industrial use. Over time, however, experience showed that some of our earlier safety conclusions were too confident.

We later learned that important variables had not been fully understood, including geological conditions around contamination zones and the movement of groundwater. 

Mitigation measures such as slurry walls also proved vulnerable to construction variability and to subsurface conditions that had been assumed to limit contaminant movement. The Columbia River Valley lithology consists of complex interbedded sands, clays, and gravels that—much like those in the Flathead Valley—can make groundwater movement and containment difficult to predict. 

As a result, contaminant breakthroughs occurred at Hanford, people were exposed, and both short- and long-term illnesses followed.

Ultimately, we reversed course and paused further land release while additional analysis was completed, and time was allowed to test whether our studies and mitigation measures were truly working in that complex groundwater environment. That experience taught me that technical clearance does not always eliminate real-world risk.

The risk of toxic exposure at Teakettle Heights may be low on the land that has been released, but the consequences of a mistake would be severe. The lesson I draw from the Hanford land release is simple: we should take more time to evaluate and understand these hazards before placing people in potential harm’s way from cyanide, fluoride, and other heavy metals. This concern is why most Superfund release sites are released as parks and nature preserves, or for light industrial built on extensive concrete and asphalt caps.

Affordable housing matters, but a site next to a Superfund area is not an appropriate location unless the containment risks are better understood. At this point, I do not believe we know enough to expose future residents to that risk.

Paul Kruger

Columbia Falls

Likes Al

During the 16 years I spent in Helena representing the fine people of Flathead County, I had the privilege or working with and getting to know Dr. Al Olszewski. Dr. O was not only a smart man but one who was thoughtful in voting on everything that came across our desks in the Montana Senate.

Dr. Al carried bills to make Montana a better place to live, protect the unborn and always kept his constituents in mind. His voting record is on the leg.mt.gov website for all to see. When you need a question answered he will respond.

Al was born and raised in Great Falls, is an Air Force veteran (Major) who used his talents to mend the wounded and care for those who were fighting on the battlefield. He did his absolute best to get our loved ones home in one piece.

We need him to represent us in western Montana. He’s a proven conservative with a voting record and will stand up for us when elected as our next U.S. Representative from the western district.

As the ballots begin to drop in your mailbox this week I hope you will mark the oval by his name. He will continue his life of service for all of us. We need him on our side in D.C. where some triage is necessary in the swamp.

Actions speak louder than words. Dr. Al for the win!

Dee Brown

Hungry Horse

Former House and Senate Representative 

Ortley likes Eddy

Montanans will soon face a pivotal election for a new associate justice on the Montana Supreme  Court. I offer my insight in support of Judge Amy Eddy.

I began practicing law in 1983, as a general practitioner, and then as both a prosecutor and a  defense attorney. I served as a judge in Flathead County for 17 years, first as a Justice of the Peace and then as a District Court Judge. In 2016, I began serving as an Assistant Attorney  General teaching at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy. I was later appointed Deputy  Lieutenant Attorney General, and now consult as a law enforcement trainer and certified use of force expert to keep law officers and communities safe. 

During my career the practice of law, and judging, have changed. What has not changed, and in  fact is needed more than ever, is the need for impartiality, nonpartisanship, and a dedication to  legal excellence in the judiciary.

I met Amy in the early 2000s while serving as a judge in a trial advocacy program. Amy’s  intelligence, ability, and professional but friendly demeanor were immediately apparent. In 2015,  she was appointed to the 11th Judicial District bench where I was serving. Judge Eddy assumed a  heavy case load in a new environment. I took it upon myself to ensure that she had the resources  she needed, and a judicial colleague with whom she could consult while learning the judicial  process. As her exemplary record shows, Judge Eddy’s intelligence, work ethic, demeanor, and  ability to communicate with all those appearing before her are unparalleled! 

She has served  without bias, favoritism, or allegiance to political affiliation. Her commitment to the rule of law  is unwavering. I know first-hand that her character, ethical foundation, and commitment to the  Montana Code of Judicial Conduct are beyond reproach. Judge Eddy is the right person at the  right time. Please join me in supporting her campaign.

Judge David Ortley (Retired)

Kalispell

Likes O’Rourke

I am proud to support Joseph O’Rourke for re-election to the Republican Central Committee representing Precinct 18.

I have known Joe personally since 2021. Joe contributed to the win of 3 school board trustee elections, two of them being mine as campaign treasurer. Through those experiences, I came to know him as a man of integrity, dedication, and genuine commitment to our community.

Joe is passionate about high quality education, accountability in our schools, and ensuring bright futures for our students. He believes strongly in family values, hard work, and putting America first. More importantly, he doesn’t just talk about these principles- he lives them.

Joe is honest, dependable, and results-driven. He understands the importance of unifying voters while also standing firm in support of conservative leadership and the constitutional principles that make our country strong. He is the kind of leader who works quietly and consistently to achieve meaningful outcomes rather than seeking attention or division.

It is both an honor and a privilege to know Joe and to support his continued service. Our community benefits from leaders who are trustworthy, committed, and willing to do the hard work necessary to move us forward.

I strongly encourage voters to support Joseph O’Rourke for Precinct 18. He is the right choice for our community and for the future of conservative leadership.

Megan Upton

Columbia Falls