Phyllis Bookbinder is a lovely lady, I am sure. I say this because I do not know her personally and so it would be unfair to judge her without at least an attempt to have an honest and meaningful conversation. I would most certainly do that if she were running for office and did not have a voting record to look at for a clear picture of her intentions and priorities.

The three commissioners whom she is so fond of do have a record and that is what I base my comments upon. Facts, not fiction. I am Suzy Foss and I am one of those she likes to talk about in her letter. I am running for County Commission. I am a Reagan conservative Republican. I am proud of it.

A fact is that these three commissioners ran on the theme of Quality of Life. Here is what, in fact their voting record and their public comments have given us.

There are many citizens who have lost their jobs and for many, they have had to leave our valley and they just might differ on what quality of life is compared to your values, Ms. Bookbinder.

One example that comes to mind is that these three commissioners have, with the zealous assistance of our current county attorney, the 1 for 2 Interim Zoning regulation which came packaged with a totally outlandish definition by George Corn. That regulation stopped all construction in our county 2 years before the rest of the country begin to suspect we were in a financial downturn.

Considering how many people the building industry used to employ and the number of dollars that industry alone ran through every business in this county along with those now lost good paying jobs, I think it is obvious that not everyone would agree with their definition of quality of life. I would guess that there are more than a few out of work construction workers who do not feel that they have any quality to their lives at this point.

Next we have to look at the insurance report on the county. Carlotta Grandstaff likes to point out that the number of lawsuits against the county has dropped since they took office and she is correct. What she is not so quick to brag about is that our payable losses are up 400% and our county insurance premiums have gone up almost 100% due to our loss ratio and lawsuit losses. Those losses are paid out of our General Fund, that is your tax dollars at work. Thank you Jim, Kathleen, Carlotta and George for this boon to our quality of life.

How many of you live on a road that needs work? Serious repairs? The road department is not grading the roads in the county but they are building a new road on Upper Woodchuck to cover a lost lawsuit. Later this year that road will be paved at the county expense of over $140,000 outside of insurance coverage. That is on top of the $20,000 paid to the plaintiffs’ attorneys.

Then there is the loss of the county’s suit against the Shooks. Private citizens just like you who happened to have a piece of land the commissioners wanted for a park. Against all data and common sense they sued innocent citizens on trumped up charges. Citizens who have now left this beautiful valley whose local government is so unfriendly to those who live here. That lawsuit cost we taxpayers $50,000 plus insurance co-payments. There you go on that quality of life thing again. Wonder what quality the innocent victims of our county lawsuits have today after being financially destroyed and publicly smeared by our local papers as guilty?

This is unpredictable governing at best. Phyllis is correct. The voters have a choice and I pray you vote along with thousands of other citizens in this county and that your vote is to throw this crowd of four out.

Letters to the Editor

Embers of Love

Dear Editor,

The embers of love within my heart are fueled by God
And his praises this day and forever I do laud
My heart wasn't always warm I've been truthfully told
My ways and actions may have been brutally cold

God's love came to me in the process of growing old
When a team of doctors removed a heart that was cold
When repaired and replaced with hands of love
I came to realize the power of God above

Now, with unending thanks and praise
I walk with him as he shows me all positive attitudes and ways
So pleased am I that my savior always forgives
I'll certainly change my ways to that of his

There are so many in this life that need to pull out their heart
Look it over, examine it close, every part
Knowing they have many choices since the day they were born
And to make sure the embers of love are still very warm.

Derry Kempf
Darby

Support for Moran

Dear Editor,

We face some tough challenges in the Bitterroot Valley and Montana – we need more well-paying jobs and fiscally responsible government. While most of us wish things could be different, few of us have the discipline or the energy it takes to work out sensible solutions for tough issues. One person who does is Terry Moran, candidate for House District 88. She brings tireless devotion and a common sense approach to working with people to solve problems.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Terry on several community projects, such as restoring historic St. Paul’s Church and on the Chamber of Commerce Tourism and Marketing Committee. She has worked hard to bring investment dollars into the Bitterroot Valley for small businesses and non-profit organizations.

Terry Moran is not a politician and refuses to play the “fear and blame” game commonly used by many politicians today. She simply works effectively with all people across the political spectrum to find solutions that make the most sense to people.

Terry Moran is exactly the kind of representative we need in the Montana legislature – a hard working person who listens to all sides, does her homework to understand issues, and keeps her eye on the bottom line. She will work hard to bring private investment and jobs into our community and Montana. She will make sure Montana government remains fiscally sound. And she will make sure we keep our promises to our military service members, our veterans, and their families.

Terry Moran will have my vote for House District 88 on November 2nd and I hope she will have yours too.

Dave Schultz
Hamilton

Support for incumbent commissioners

Dear Editor,

As we approach the 2010 election, it is important for the voters to consider the record and accomplishments of the incumbent candidates before voting to replace them with an “unknown.” With regard to the Ravalli County Commissioners (RCC), three of the five, Commissioners Rokosch, Grantstaff, and Driscoll, are up for reelection. The current RCC Board has done an outstanding job representing the residents, working together, and positioning the County to deal with a global economic meltdown.

One example of a good decision made by the current RCC is the fate of the Ravalli County Airport. Admittedly, the final “t”s need to be crossed and the “i”s dotted on the final airport configuration, but the decision to move forward with a modest, cost effective reconfiguration of the airport will result in a safe facility that will meet the needs of the County residents. The majority of the RCC voted for this good decision. Commissioners Rokosch and Grantstaff were joined by Commissioner Chillcot to put an end to a debate that has raged in this County for years. Their resolve to end this debate and move our County forward was courageous and in the best interest of the taxpayers.

This decision is just one of a number of good examples how a Republican (Chillcot), a Democrat (Rokosch), and an Independent (Grantstaff), have worked together to do the best thing for the County. This ability to work together while representing the political diversity of the County residents is admirable and justifies keeping the roster of Commissioners intact. It is in the best interest of the County residents to keep the current Commissioners in place and allow them to build upon the successes they, and we, have enjoyed.

When you go to the polls this November, vote against extremism and for keeping a moderate, well functioning Board of Commissioners in place.

Doug Nation
Hamilton

A classic misunderstanding

Dear Editor,

In his somewhat wordy letter of August 25, Lee Kierig remakes the classic mistake of confusing human time with geologic time. The notion of planning for 'true sustainability' is a dream that can only be achieved in a test tube. History of the world shows that men do not cooperate across borders. The collective 'we, our, us" whoever that may be, cannot plan population growth for people on the other side of the world. The reason is because we are human and being human much like Lil' Abner we reserve certain rights for ourselves. Taking these rights away from people implies control and who applies these controls? Other humans. Notions never change they are just recycled.

Russell J. Watrous
Land O Lakes, Fl

Well said, Phyllis

Dear Editor,

Phyllis Bookbinder’s recent letter to the editor merits serious reflection and high praise. Her thoughtful reasoning touches on some basic issues here in the Bitterroot Valley. We do need planning in order to achieve orderly development, thus protecting our air, water, scenery, and quality of life. These precious, delicate elements enhance the wild beauty of the Bitterroot, attracting thousands to enjoy the valley, adding millions to the economy, and bringing new businesses to settle here.

Posing a serious threat to this idyllic picture is the projected doubling of population within ten years; the haphazard growth and the placement of subdivisions and new construction beside streams and rivers, in wildlife habitat, and in areas that destroy scenic views.

Phyllis refers to the work of current commissioners to forge a sustainable growth policy, and, to their efforts to update and simplify the 33-year-old subdivision regulations. These measures will promote sensible development, protect property values, and help to ensure the pristine beauty that we enjoy. One way to ensure this continuing effort is to support the reelection of the three incumbent commissioners. They are Commissioners Grandstaff, Rokosch and Driscoll. They have done good work, achieved notable results, and deserve support to continue their efforts. They represent the moderate, sensible middle ground which is needed in the years ahead.

John Carbin
Stevensville

Being ‘the good guy’

Dear Editor,

This is another federal government horror story that makes me cringe. Our liberal government often does incredibly naive things in order to appear as "the good guy". Liberals mistakenly believe that if America opens the proverbial kimono and bares all, unfriendly nations will be impressed with how reasonable we are and follow our example. This UN agreement is so stupid that it's difficult to believe such things actually happen.

While many look back upon the Clinton administration with nostalgia, he left us with a deadly legacy. He informed the world's totalitarian powers exactly where to bomb our strategic industries and military installations. Under UN agreement, consenting members of the UN agreed to provide the GPS coordinates of every strategic facility within their borders and offshore possessions. Being "good guys", we did exactly that, while China and Russia have yet to honor the decade-old agreement.

Bitterroot Valley residents can sleep well knowing that potential enemies know exactly where to target Hamilton's biological lab and the Stevensville ammunition factory, both of which are confirmed to be on the target list.

Much goes on in the United Nations that most Americans are unaware of. The Obama administration is currently seeking to ban civilian gun ownership through UN treaties that circumvent due process of law and the U.S. Constitution. While Congress cannot easily bypass the Constitution's Second Amendment guaranteeing Americans their right to bear arms, the U.S. President is empowered by the Constitution to make treaties. These treaties need only be ratified by an easily managed two-thirds majority vote in the U.S. Senate. Soon we will discover that we entered into treaties with foreign powers that forbid civilian gun ownership in nations ratifying the treaties. Then we will learn to our dismay why Obama's 'National Security Force' is being created.

Glenn Kimball
Corvallis

Pipeline Project endorsements

Dear Editor,

The Montana Women Pipeline Project is excited to announce its endorsed candidates for this November’s legislative races. Similar to Emily’s List, the Pipeline works to elect progressive Democratic women in Montana. The Pipeline endorsed the following candidates:

Denise Du Pont, HD 58 (Laurel); Julia Page, SD 21 (Gardiner); Donna Zook, HD 20 (Great Falls); Pam Erickson, SD 44 (Hamilton); Pam Ellis, HD 47 (Billings); Mary McNally, HD 49 (Billings); Sheila Hogan, HD 77 (Clancy)

Democrats in Montana are yearning for strong women leaders who care about important issues such as reproductive rights and adequate health care for women and children. Pipeline candidates all share a passion for human rights, equality, economic justice, and a clean and healthful environment for Montana’s families and future generations to come. The election of Pipeline candidates in November will ensure that progressive women’s voices are heard at the Montana Legislature.

According to the Center for Women in Politics at Rutgers University, when women hold elective office, they give top priority to women’s rights issues by a margin of 2-1 and support issues related to children and families 3-1 when compared to their male counterparts. Please call 406-465-3376 to learn more about these amazing Montana women and how you can help support their campaigns.

Pipeline Project Steering Committee:
Helena State Sen. Christine Kaufmann, Public Service Commissioner Gail Gutsche, Great Falls State Representative Sue Dickenson, Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau, and community activists Terry Kendrick and Judy Smith of Missoula

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