Letters to the editor March 8
The front page announcement today in the Inter Lake about the passing of Dr. Jack Davis caused a flood of memories and emotion for me.
I started seeing Dr. Davis many years ago when my family doctor referred me because of my family history. Doctor Davis ran me through some tests and then proceeded to instruct me on life changes I needed to make. Our conversation consisted of a recommendation from Dr. Davis, a retort from me about why I couldn’t do that, another recommendation, and another retort. I was bound and determined to keep my beloved lifestyle until the day I died.
Dr. Davis abruptly stopped the back and forth and, looking me square in the eye said “You know, if you have a heart attack and drop dead on the spot, that’s fine. But 99 percent of the time that’s not how it goes. Usually you will end up an invalid and have to be cared for by your loved ones and total strangers for the rest of your life!”
Well now, I suddenly felt like my IQ was room temperature. Dr. Jack Davis made me confront my stubbornness and showed me the direction I should take on my life’s path, with one simple statement. There have been many times in the last 25 or so years since I first met him that I have revisited that statement. It helps keep me on that path.
Smart, skilled, innovator and organizer are some of the things that will be said about Dr. Jack. But I would like to add teacher! Teacher of life, health and responsibility. Things many of us need to heed as we grow. Thank you Dr. Jack, you were one of the best teachers in my life.
—Michael Thoennes, Kalispell
In regards to the recent statements made by “our” mayor Mark Johnson, “our” city manager Doug Russell, and especially council member Tim Kluesner who literally arbitrarily equated poverty with being a rapist, and referred to a homeless person sleeping in an old RV as a “scumbag”, saying he didn’t want that “crap” in his neighborhood.
Are these really the people we have chosen to represent us?
Is someone’s financial misfortune simply an eyesore to these rich men, who seem to have more concern for ducks and the aesthetic value of their neighborhood rather then the well-being of their most marginalized and vulnerable citizens?
As a graduate student and fledgling social worker who works with the homeless population on a regular basis, I was horrified that the legitimate concern over this horrible new law and its consequences for the impoverished are falling on deaf ears.
The mayor says sleeping in a car isn’t the answer. What is your answer then Mayor Johnson? Throw everyone with no place to go in jail? Or are you just blatantly hoping they move and become Lake or Missoula county’s problems so you can continue to view your poor constituents as sub-human, and not be inconvenienced by them?
I feel we need representatives who are in touch with reality, not just what life is like for those not struggling to survive. Perhaps Ryan Hunter or Jaime Quinn would provide better representation, since they were there to stand up for our fellow citizens who have no voice. Nobody is claiming to have all the answers, but most certainly criminalizing poverty and dehumanizing the homeless are 100% not the answer.
Let’s try harder, and let’s hold our representation accountable.
—Mathew Bartlett, Kalispell
It seems like every day there is another letter showing how our city and county commissioners are selling us down the river for their own personal agenda.
When I read that County Commissioner/landscape arborist Phil Mitchell was going to watch the Lake Five vacation rentals “like a hawk” to make sure they follow the law; my morning coffee instantly became bitter.
He has taken a chainsaw to the will of the people and bought his way out of jail with money the taxpayers gave him. His fellow commissioners are complacent in the act by sitting in their easy chairs and allowing him to continue on the board making decisions for us. I hope we remember this when their election comes up.
The Rose Crossing extension, an additional road into Reserve Drive from the North Town Center and the rail park road to Whitefish Stage are just a few more examples of how our “leaders” are doing what is best for all. They are in the pocket of the developers no matter what the cost to the people who put them in their chair.
—Gil Conrad, Kalispell
It seems like everyone is focusing on the presidential election, and they should, but we can’t forget that we have a lot to focus on here at the state level. For 16 years our state’s economy has become stagnant, our state’s government more bureaucratic and corrupt, and we have a tremendous opportunity to turn that around this fall.
Greg Gianforte has been in Washington, D.C., these last few years building strong relationships with President Trump, and various other leaders. He’ll be able to leverage those relationships as governor to ensure that all Montanans have opportunities and can prosper right here in Montana.
Greg’s executive experience make him the perfect candidate for Governor this fall. He understands the importance of managing a budget, streamlining processes, and eliminating inefficiencies.
For 16 years there has been corruption and incompetence in our state agencies. Greg has made it clear that he will be providing these agencies with excellent leadership, and clear and concise goals.
Montana has needed a governor like Greg Gianforte for 16 years, and he is the most qualified candidate in this race, which is why I am asking you to join me in supporting Greg in his candidacy for governor of Montana.
—Bill Harris, Mosby