Laura Jackson, Democrat, South Valley
I live in the Darby School District on land I purchased in 1976, about 5 miles from where my great grandparents homesteaded. From that time on, my working years were mainly spent with the US Forest Service, including 12 seasons as lookout-dispatcher in the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness. For more biographical details see my website: lauraforhd85.com
Working on the ground for a government agency taught me about how government can (and cannot) best serve diverse constituencies. My most important qualifications as a candidate are to openly and honestly listen to constituent needs and objectively evaluate the data for options that can set us on course for a positive shared future as Montanans and Bitterrooters. I profoundly believe our best future depends on respectful dialogue, including all points of view, and grounded in our common appreciation of this valley. This is what has motivated me to run for office.
As a first time candidate, I have much to learn about the concerns of my neighbors, about how our state government can best provide the services they want, need, and expect, and especially how these can be funded through a balanced state budget. We must be prepared for a ballooning federal government deficit to impact funding for many local programs. Government is responsible for services—roads, schools and protections from harm. Government also should insure a healthy and sustaining environment in which we can all flourish, earning a decent living with our hard work, and have affordable healthcare available for ourselves and those we love. We all need to recognize the value of these services for our communities and be willing to fairly share the costs. We have a right to expect honesty and good management, but government is not simply a business with the single goal of monetary profit.
Federal public lands belong to all US citizens. As these lands are managed at the expense and for the benefit of all citizens, they should be managed by the federal government. Our local economies greatly benefit from these lands managed at federal taxpayer expense. Local and state entities have concerns and expertise about land and resources near which their constituents live, and from which they reasonably expect to benefit. Input from state and county residents should be respected in management of these lands.
To move forward as Montanans and preserve our core western life values in a changing world, we need flexibility and respectful dialogue. Listening and questioning are essential for deciding together the best practices and policies to support decent life and livelihood options, present and future, in Montana. I believe this future requires: affordable health care for all that respects individual choice, affordable quality education/skills training, and sustainable agriculture and public and open land management for all our long-term common benefit.
Theresa Manzella, Republican, South Valley
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