Letters to the editor April 16

Knudsen is playing politics

Austin Knudsen continues to abuse his position as Montana’s Attorney General to interfere with our constitutional rights and democracy.

The job of the attorney general is special. The attorney general must uphold the rights guaranteed by the Montana Constitution. The decisions made by the attorney general must be based on the facts and the law. There is simply no room for politics.

Article II, Section 9 of the Montana Constitution provides that the right of individual privacy is essential to the well-being of a free society and shall not be infringed. Over 20 years ago, the Montana Supreme Court held that a woman’s right to choose what to do with her own body is protected by the right to privacy. Article XIV, Section 9 of the Montana Constitution states that the people may propose constitutional initiatives that shall be submitted to the voters for approval or rejection.

Knudsen is abusing his position as attorney general to undermine the established right to privacy. He is also interfering with Montanans’ constitutional right to propose and vote on constitutional initiatives.

A ballot issue has been proposed that would expressly add a woman’s right to choose to the Montana Constitution, consistent with existing law. Knudsen is playing politics to prevent us from voting. First, he improperly claimed the proposed ballot language was legally insufficient (the Montana Supreme Court reversed that decision last week). Now, Knudsen is attempting to mislead voters with an improper ballot statement.

These are legal questions — not political questions. Whether a ballot issue ultimately succeeds must be determined by the voters of Montana, not a career politician who is abusing the office of the attorney general.

Montanans deserve better than an attorney general who abuses his position to interfere with our constitutional rights.

— Ben Alke, Helena, is a candidate for Montana attorney general

Development threatens small town

I am writing to express my concerns regarding the proposed development of a 250-home subdivision within our already densely populated area. It is my firm belief that this development is not in the best interest of our town due to the potential strain it would place on our resources and infrastructure.

Residents of Somers fear that the proposed subdivision threatens to disrupt the delicate balance of this small town.

The primary concerns we wish to highlight are as follows:

Somers-Lakeside School District stated they have room for 40 new students, this development is estimated to bring 250 new students, this will strain the current educational system, compromising in the quality of education our children receive and increasing taxes.

The additional traffic generated by a 250-home subdivision will exacerbate traffic and road maintenance issues, leading to longer commute times, increased wear and tear on roads, and safety concerns, with no planned road improvements until 2033.

Our small town boasts a limited number of social resources, including medical facilities, community centers, and recreational spaces. The introduction of a substantial number of new residents will strain these resources, making it difficult to access the services.

I firmly believe it is crucial to take a thoughtful and long-term perspective on the potential impact of this development on our community. I implore the planning commission to thoroughly reconsider the proposed development and explore alternative approaches that better align with our town’s unique needs and capacities. Our shared objective should be to protect and enhance the qualities that make our community exceptional.

Planning Board members, whose private businesses are a direct conflict of interest with their role in approving development, is something that should be investigated.

— Ross Sanbrook, Somers

The perfect state

It’s time to come back together.  For those of us old timers who are “long in the tooth,” that means getting back to the Montana we were born into or came here for decades ago. For you newcomers, it means a fresh start and the Montana from the river movie. Either way, that Montana was a live-and-let-live place. Check your hate at the door.  

That’s the Montana where we help each other and those less fortunate than us. It’s the Montana where we protect our great landscapes and big sky first. I’m talking about a Montana where our kids, our kids’ kids and their kids have a healthy place to live, be able to afford a house and carry on.

In 1862, before Montana was even a state, Abraham Lincoln said: “My favorite state has not yet been invented. But when it is it will be called Montana and it will be perfect.”  

A Montana where our elected representatives are homegrown farm and ranch, hunting and fishing folks.  Not millionaire and billionaire guys who want to make Montana a playground for the rich. Even if you are one of the rich guys, there is plenty of Montana to go around, so share your cookies, take a breath and lend a hand.

We have some real important state elections coming up. Let’s get some homegrown down to earth folks to represent us this time.  

Jon Tester and Monica Tranel are both the real deal, native farm folk who will listen to and work with everyone. Ryan Busse is a hunting and fishing, small “d” for democracy, kind of guy. He doesn’t care if you’re red, blue, pink or purple.  

Let’s listen to Honest Abe and put these folks to work making Montana that “perfect” state again.

— Andy Kulla, Big Arm