Support for Chilcott

By Patricia Earnest, Hamilton

Tens of millions of dollars of “dark money” is currently flooding into Montana, through so-called non-profit, conservation and environmental groups, with the intent of influencing our elections and public policy. This money is undisclosed donations to organizations in an effort to advance their political agenda, and Governor Bullock authored an Executive Order to address this very issue.  

I agree with Governor Bullock on this issue. Montanans deserve transparency in government  and therefore I commend Commissioner Greg Chilcott and the rest of the Commission who unanimously supported an open and poignant letter requesting Attorney General Fox investigate the funding sources of these groups who are working to advance a radical environmental agenda, which includes the elimination of all natural resource extraction, weakening our economy through the destruction of the timber and mining industries, elimination of grazing allotments, and assaults on private property rights through the implementation of animal “rights” related policy taking priority over human rights. These groups include the Montana Wilderness Association, Our Land Our Legacy, Western Values Project, Montana Wildlife Federation, Back Country Hunters & Anglers, Montana Conservation Voters and Montana Mountain Mamas.   

Chilcott said. “In the end, we want Montanans to be represented by Montanans and not by someone who doesn’t live here and share our values. We want to know who it is that is spending so much money to try and shape our opinions. This is all about transparency, we want to let the public know who and why… When you start looking at the big money that’s being spent, it’s coming from international sources. It’s not even Americans who are trying to define what we do with our public lands. I find that curious… I question their motives.”  

Commissioner Chilcott’s sixteen years as our County Commissioner, as well as the other important leadership positions he’s been elected to, make him innately qualified for the task at hand. Chilcott serves as the vice chair on the National Association of Counties public lands committee where his leadership ensures that Montana counties’ voices are heard on the national level. Additionally, he was recently elected to serve as the 2nd vice president of the Western Interstate Region board who represents counties from 15 western states. 

Commissioner Chilcott, I concur. I question their motives as well and believe that you are wise to spearhead the effort to find the truth. The citizens of Montana deserve to know. Thank you for taking your responsibility to the citizens of Ravalli County seriously. I appreciate your effort and stand with you in complete support.