Letters to the editor Sept. 28

Montana’s mansion

Of all the mansions in Montana, our 12,000-square-foot governor’s mansion at 2 Carson St., in Helena is among the sturdiest and most durable. It was custom-built of reinforced concrete and hard-fired brick to withstand centuries of public service. 

With it’s initial construction being well over $4.6 million, inflation adjusted, and with the addition of significant improvements to the property since that time, it remains the single largest investment in a standalone residence by Montana taxpayers in state history. 

The current endeavor by a handful of our state representatives to spend $1.2 million to destroy this multimillion dollar building — in the midst of a housing crisis and while ignoring proposals from reputable buyers to put the mansion to good use — is emblematic of the public indifference and rampant corruption that is plaguing our state and America as a whole.  

How many of us live in a house that is even one quarter the size or value of this mansion, which these “public servants” are so eager to throw away at our expense?

How many of us have had our property taxes more than doubled in the last five years on the premise that the state needs more of our money, only to see them continue wasting huge amounts of wealth?

How many reputable businesses and organizations need housing in the Helena area and how many of them would gladly rent or purchase the mansion as-is to put it to good use?

What we are dealing with is an age-old problem called tyranny. Private citizens are increasingly being treated like peasants by too many public officials who are, at the same time, plunging our families into real generational debt with destructive actions like this.

Demolition contracts are one of the easiest ways for public agencies to launder money.  

Take note of any public official who is pushing for this destruction, of anyone who has tried to dupe the public into believing that the governor’s mansion is in poor condition, of any contractors bidding to be paid for it’s destruction and of anyone who neglects or deliberately harms it in the coming weeks while courageous citizens and true public servants fight to overturn last week’s shameful vote by the Capitol Complex Advisory Council — a council that knowingly voted against the will of the people, excepting Ralph Kuney who apparently has not forgotten his duty to the public.

It is important to also take note of the people who are most effectively fighting for good. Encourage, support and join them in any way you can. Fighting public disorder and corruption is our duty as citizens when our representatives fail us, and doing so in a Christ-like way is the best thing we can do to fix our country.           

— Cameron Moylan, Butte

Alme is community-minded

My wife, Jill, and I have known Kurt and Sandra Alme for over 30 years and feel strongly that he will make an excellent U.S. senator for Montana.

Kurt and I served together on the Boys and Girls Club of Yellowstone County Foundation. Kurt has always been a man of action and doesn’t get involved in anything unless he feels he can make a positive, genuine impact. Immediately upon joining the Boys and Girls Club Foundation board, he challenged us to make a real difference for the future, and it was with his encouragement that we hired the organization’s first executive director. Today, assets in this foundation are over $14 million.

Kurt has always been deeply community-minded, having served on numerous other boards, including the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation, Friendship House of Christian Service, and St. Vincent Healthcare. He has always put Montana first, and his record of delivering for Montanans speaks for itself.

I could not be prouder to cast my vote for Kurt Alme as our next U.S. senator. I hope you will join me in doing the same this November.

— Frank Witt, Bigfork