« October 2006 | Main | December 2006 »
November 29, 2006
Senator Jon Tester Victory party and Thank you.
Senator Jon Tester (Doesn't that sound good.) is having a Victory party and Thank you. It's this Friday, December 1st 5pm Labor Temple. It's a potluck byob.
Posted by admin at 11:09 AM | Comments (2)
November 28, 2006
Meet Scott Sales, new leader of Montana’s House Republicans
Meet Scott Sales, new leader of Montana’s House Republicans � 4&20 blackbirds
The Comments at the bottom are good.
Quote:
As near as I can tell, the agenda of the Gallatin Valley Republicans is to thwart anything that could reflect favorably on Governor Schweitzer. IMO, they run a very high risk of becoming their own worst enemies, though, so good luck with that.
Posted by admin at 09:37 AM | Comments (0)
November 27, 2006
Legislative leaders picked with control of House still unknown
Great Falls Tribune - www.greatfallstribune.com - Great Falls, MT
The fireworks were in the House Republican race, where Sales beat out a more moderate candidate and promised to use the chamber to groom Republicans for future races.
Posted by admin at 07:24 PM | Comments (0)
New Republican Leader Vows to Break Promises, Admits Minority Status
Left in the West :: New Republican Leader Vows to Break Promises, Admits Minority Status
My gut says that the far right's take over of the House Republican caucus is a good sign. Sales won't be able to keep his caucus unified. He's too crazy.
Posted by admin at 07:18 PM | Comments (0)
November 26, 2006
Circling the Welcome Wagons
Circling the Welcome Wagons - Los Angeles Times
Yet it falls between the cracks of laws and rules and moralities that the other industries have to play by, and will no doubt continue to do so until the unique natural world of the Rocky Mountains becomes as homogenized and crowded as the rest of the country. And then, of course, it won't be unique anymore.
Posted by admin at 04:40 PM | Comments (0)
BN EDITORIAL: Public service should be Priority One for newly elected officials
The winners of both races, though endorsed by numerous community organizations, the county's two largest newspapers and ultimately the voters, might do well to consider that when they take office in July. The people want effective leadership, especially on the County Commission, not political grandstanding and partisanship.
Posted by admin at 03:30 PM | Comments (0)
November 23, 2006
Newspapers, and the Challenge of Local Journalism
Yahoo, Newspapers, and the Challenge of Local Journalism | New West Network
The panic in the journalism community over the rapid decline of the one reliable paymaster - the monopoly newspaper – has led us to forget the fact that just a few years ago the biggest threat to journalism was the monopoly newspaper. Competition, in journalism as in most enterprises, is a healthy thing; it's no coincidence that just about the only big papers in the country showing decent circulation numbers are the New York tabloids that are locked in a brutal competitive battle. If competition tends to drive out the lengthy, thoughtful and obscure in favor of the immediate and salacious, well, that's a problem we'll just have to wrestle with.
Posted by admin at 10:43 AM | Comments (0)
November 22, 2006
Two Thanksgiving messages from Jim, Elizabeth and JP
Jim and I also send our greetings to everyone and best wishes for the
holiday. We hope everyone can take time to relish our victories and heal the wounds of our defeats. GCD will plan to have a festive event during the holiday season that will bring us all together again.
Best regards to all!
Jim and Elizabeth
JP:
Everyone,
Thanks so much for everything this campaign season! I'm honored to be in your company, and so grateful for the dedication, perseverence, devotion, and energy that everyone put toward the efforts for Democrats this election.
Have a very happy holiday and know that I'm most thankful for people like you this Thanksgiving!
Best regards as always,
JP Pomnichowski
Montana State Representative
House District 63, Bozeman/Gallatin County
pomnicho@montanadsl.net
Posted by admin at 08:02 PM | Comments (0)
Candidate should apologize for supporters' egregious ad
In the race for HD 64 which Franke Wilmer won decisively, her opponent employed a tactic so egregious he should simply apologize. I am referring to the half-page political ad which implied she lied about her hunting record. As the Chronicle reported the next day, the accusation had no merit.
Only a genuine investigation would reveal the truth of what happened but it is my opinion, based on more than 30 years of experience in local politics, that this was the most outrageous, immature and desperate act ever committed in local election history. I think her opponent and his friends became so excited about the possibility of impugning the integrity of Franke Wilmer that they didn't even do their homework thoroughly. Joe, Donnie and Steve, the "outdoor enthusiasts" who paid for the ad, did it so that their candidate would have what we call in politics, "deniability." The degree of sophistication of the tactics employed doesn't rise above the level of an adolescent prank, and no one with an ounce of sense would believe Mr. Klug's denial of complicity. We all know how campaign strategies are coordinated.
Should he ever decide to present himself again for public office, voters will be reminded of his lack of maturity and integrity. He probably should also apologize to all of the decent, well-intentioned people who supported him. If indeed his friends acted independently and caused this embarrassment, they should step up and take responsibility.
Jack Jelinski
Bozeman
Posted by admin at 01:17 PM | Comments (0)
November 21, 2006
Campaign for state House was an experience to cherish
Now that the campaign is over, I'd like to thank the people of HD 68 for voting and being a part of our democracy that's the foundation of our country.
It's easy to feel disconnected from some of our national leaders, but in a less-populated state like Montana it's too easy to have personal, one-on-one contact with those we elect. I believe Montana will never have a "K Street Project" because we just wouldn't stand for it.
Back to my Thank Yous … Bill Hubber is the greatest treasurer and friend in the world. And I appreciate so much your wisdom, knowledge and dedication. I’d never have found my footing without you.
Thank you to my friends (both old and new) throughout Broadwater and Gallatin counties for your faith in me and help in so many ways. Again, sharing your wisdom, experience and knowledge was invaluable and your dedication to our state is humbling. Because of your support, I learned ordinary citizens, in a state like ours, can truly make a difference. Running for office has been an experience I could never have imagined. The hard-work, the time involved, the reading, the forums, the hours riding my bike, the hills I struggled up, the thousands of doors knocked, the ups and downs, etc. I am blessed and thankful in so many ways. This has been an experience I will cherish and I am thankful to so many for so much.
Laura Obert candidate HD 68 Townsend
Posted by admin at 10:05 AM | Comments (0)
November 20, 2006
Behind Democrats' climb in Mountain West
Behind Democrats' climb in Mountain West - USATODAY.com
Some Republicans say their party should gird for long-term trouble. "The West is not going to be as definitively conservative and Republican as it has been," says Eddie Mahe, a veteran GOP campaign strategist.
Posted by admin at 08:01 PM | Comments (0)
November 18, 2006
A tale of two stories from the Bozeman Chronicle and Billings Gazette
Here's The entire story in Saturday's Bozeman Chronicle
Kitzenberg changes parties; Senate power shifts (can't link)
HELENA (AP)- State Sen. Sam Kitzenberg of Glasgow has officially changed his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat, giving Democrats a 26-24 advantage in the Montana Senate.
Kitzenberg filed the paperwork at the secretary of state's office on Friday. Republican Secretary of State Brad Johnson released a statement criticizing Kitzenberg's decision.
"To go before the voters in one team's colors only to change uniforms at halftime is not the way I would choose," Johnson said in the statement. "I believe very strongly in informed voting; mid-cycle party switches work directly against that."
Kitzenberg dismissed Johnson's statement as political and said he was at peace with his decision.
"You can call me Sam, Sam, the Democrat man," Kitzenberg said Friday.
He said he had been thinking about switching parties for about 12 years and made the decision after Sen. Mike Cooney, D-Helena, called him after the Nov. 7 elections.
"He called and said, 'Guess what? It's tied. I know you've mentioned changing parties in the past, and now is the time,'" Kitzenberg said.
He dismissed criticism from Republican colleagues who say the party switch occurred because the Democratic administration of Gov. Brian Schweitzer gave Kitzenberg a job as a Revenue Department analyst just months ago.
Peter Hellend, GOP chairman for Valley County, which includes Glasgow, said earlier this week that Kitzenberg’s job and change in party affiliation 'smelled of political payoff."
"The job I have now had nothing to do with this decision," Kitzenberg said. "I sat down and tried to figure out what was really important to me. It just came down to me realizing who my real friends were and where my heart was."
Kitzenberg said he looks forward to supporting several of Schweitzer's legislative proposals, such as funding for full-day kindergarten and for the university system.
Here's What the Billings Gazette had to say:
Kitzenberg switch to Dem not new idea "Warning John Sinrud picture"
Click over to read the entire story. Here's a few clips from the story:
Kitzenberg, a Republican lawmaker since 1995, said fellow Republicans have repeatedly chastised him for his votes, opposed bills and projects that benefited his district and even campaigned against him.
"At least I'm not going to be harassed there (in the Democratic Party)," he said. "I don't mind (Republicans') beliefs. But what I do mind is they won't let me have mine."
Reading both stories you get two distinct impressions. In the first story, an AP story ran by the BDC you come away with the thought that Kitzenberg got a political payoff. Job=Switch.
The second was more balanced. It mentioned the same criticism in the earlier piece, then it gets to the real reasons Kitzenberg came over to Democrats side. The Republicans attacked Kitzenberg, ran against him, killed his projects, and bad mouthed him. The chickens coming home to roost, except in the Chronicle. No wonder the political divide in the Gallatin Valley is so pronounced.
Update:
Here's a New York Times article about it
It's got a great Schweitzer quote:
"To have these Republicans gnashing their teeth reminds me of a guy who’s been kicking his dog and is then surprised that the dog moves in with the neighbors," Mr. Schweitzer said.
Update 2
Adding to the lack of perspective the Bozeman Chronicle poured oil to the fire by making an Sunday op-ed about Kitzenberg.
Here's the headline and a few choice quotes: Kitzenberg defection looks mighty suspicious (No link)
...One would like to think that things haven't gotten that openly hostile here in Montana. But Kitzenberg's defection to the Democrats after he was given a cushy job by an administration of that party looks mighty suspicious.
If a politician wins a seat as a member of one political party, it would seem that he has an ethical - if not legal - obligation to the voters who elected him to serve in that party until his term in office is expired. But then politicians are not famous for ethical behavior.
The ill-timed party switch is just one reason for cynicism in an already jaded electorate.
Again, nary a mention of bad behavior by the Republicans. The Bozeman Chronicle deplores the very cynicism that they cause.
All the BDC editorial in the extended entry.
Here's all the BDC Editorial.
Kitzenberg defection looks mighty suspicious
His constituents voted him into office as a Republican; failing to complete his term in that party is deceitful and a breach of trust with a majority of his constituents.
Less than a week after an election that evenly split the state Senate 25-25, Glasgow's Sam Kitzenberg switches parties, giving Democrats control of the Senate.
What’s wrong with this picture? Plenty.
If a politician wins a seat as a member of one political party, it would seem that he has an ethical - if not legal - obligation to the voters who elected him to serve in that party until his term in office is expired. But then politicians are not famous for ethical behavior.
Complicating perceptions of Kitzenberg's defection is the fact that he was given a Department of Revenue job by Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer's administration just a few months earlier. Both Kitzenberg and Schweitzer deny any quid pro quo, but it certainly invites that perception. And as we all know, perceptions might as well be reality in the political arena.
Kitzenberg is a moderate Republican who has sided with Democrats on some issues in the past. But that doesn't alter the fact that his constituents voted him into office as a Republican; failing to complete his term in that party is deceitful and a breach of trust with a majority of his constituents.
The ill-timed party switch is just one reason for cynicism in an already jaded electorate.
Elections nationwide have clearly indicated that the entire U.S. is nearly equally divided and deeply polarized on many issues. This razor-thin split was apparent in political campaigns that were hugely expensive and acrimonious in the extreme. Candidates for both parties were nearly hyperventilating in their efforts to defame their opponents’ character. Robo-phones were nauseatingly relentless, dialing voters with recorded messages urging support for candidates and threatening terrorism or economic demise for failing to do so.
One would like to think that things haven't gotten that openly hostile here in Montana. But Kitzenberg's defection to the Democrats after he was given a cushy job by an administration of that party looks mighty suspicious.
If Kitzenberg wants to keep his Department of Revenue job and become a Democrat, he should resign his Senate seat and let the political process choose a suitable replacement.
Posted by admin at 07:40 PM | Comments (0)
November 16, 2006
New Kid's on the Block
Gallatin Democrats new Legislative leaders:
JP Pomnichowski
House District 63
Thanks, Democrats, for a strong campaign and strong election! I'm truly
honored to serve. Gallatin County will have equal Democrat/Republican
representation in the state capitol, and I'm one of two women (myself and
Franke Wilmer) who will represent our county. I'll work hard on issues that
directly affect our city and county, and those same issues impact all of
Montana. I'm dedicated to improving land use and water resources policies,
keeping growth manageable, and promoting education and innovations in energy
production. Many thanks!
Mike Phillips
House District 66
It is a great honor to be elected to serve as the Representative for HD 66.
I am looking forward to the 2007 session to do a little more than my fair share to ensure passage of useful legislation concerning public education, renewable energy, and environmental protection.
Franke Wilmer
House District 64
A very hearty THANKS to the voters of HD 64 who elected me with 57%
of the vote! This speaks volumes about them as door by door, voter by
voter, I asked them to trust me, and they did. I am so honored to be
the new representative for these fine people and already working on
draft bills to remedy some of the issues they raised with me during
the campaign -- encouraging alternative energy use by the state,
bigger deductions for installing residential alternative energy, tax
relief for seniors and disabled Veterans on fixed income, promoting
respect of Montana's First Nations through education, and more. I
will work with our local delegation and others throughout the state to
strengthen protection for a clean and healthful environment, move
toward clean and domestic production of energy, expanding access to
affordable health care, and improving education at all levels to
enable Montana and the US to become more competitive in a globalizing
economy.
Posted by admin at 04:00 PM | Comments (0)
New West Article about the election
Rural Montana Voters Carried Jon Tester’s Victory | Missoula | New West Network
In Gallatin alone, he gained 2,085 votes from the 2000 election, which added up to a pickup of 6.5 percentage points.
The Gallatin numbers get even more interesting when you look at the U.S. House race between Republican incumbent Denny Rehberg and Democrat Monica Lindeen. Rehberg won by 6,643 votes and 19 percentage points. Burns only won in Gallatin County by 182 votes and a half of a percentage point.
Posted by admin at 12:50 PM | Comments (0)
November 15, 2006
State senator gets hunting violation
BillingsGazette.com :: State senator gets hunting violation
Ultimately, I should pay the fine because the final analysis is that I shot an elk on private land."
Posted by admin at 02:00 PM
November 10, 2006
Spock the News by Ron Pulcini
Recommendation: Bozeman High's Principal play Ombudsman at the BozemanDaily Chronicle's New.
An article by Gail Schontzler, one of the Bozeman Daily Chronicle's most thorough reporters, somehow escaped Managing Editor Bob Gibson's big, bad "redaction" crayon in the Thursday 11/9/06 (page A3) edition.
Seems that Bozeman High's Principal Godfrey Saunders (when-this-man-sauntners/ down Long Hall/Freshmen-grin/backs-against-the-wall), kept the Oct 27th issue of the student newspaper, the Hawk Talk, from being inserted the next day (Saturday) in the BDC.
According to Schontzler's report, a few students had authored an opinion piece about the volleyball coaches, possibly unflattering. Principal Saunders called the Montana School Board Association to get a legal opinion: "It was an article," he was quoted as saying, "we felt our attorney should look at from a liability standpoint."
With the MSBA's approval, Saunders switched back on the green light. "I'm trying to be fair and equitable to everyone."
The details of the student piece are not important here. WHAT IS is whether Publisher Rick Weaver should have been consulted before the Schontzler's story went to press.* It's only natural that he would be interested in language suggestive of a change in editorial policy.
For example, when Schontzler asked co-Editor-in-Chief of the Hawk Talk, Michael Lin, about the turn of events, he said, "I guess we've still got to work on our editing techniques." And Max Lowe, the other co-Editor-in-Chief, said the lesson he drew from the whole business is: "the school is very touchy on issues going on in the school that might affect its reputation."
But then comes her final paragraph: "Lowe said it probably was a mistake on the editors' part not to have included the coaches’ side in the same edition. If someone wants to print a rebuttal in the opinion column," Schontzler wrote, "[he said], the Hawk Talk would welcome it."
If this is a flag-pole-runner-upper-in-progress, the BDC's executive editorial committee should be commended for considering refining the paper's editorial policy: Interviewing both candidates of any given political campaign BEFORE their endorsements are printed is actually good journalism practice.
Perhaps this interpretation of the conditions under which Schontzler's article was allowed to appear are merely hopeful. What perhaps is needed is Godfrey Saunders strolling through the editorial department's "Dilbert-Villes," smiling, looking down, directly in each set of eyes - not a single word uttered.
*Admittedly unfair; after all, the editorial drop-deadline is sometime after midnight.
Posted by admin at 01:35 PM | Comments (0)
November 09, 2006
Post Election appeal for funds to keep the HQ going until Spring
Gallatin Democrats have thrown everything into this race. Including almost all of our bank account. We figured that this election was too important to not commit everything we had. We think it was money well spent.
We have enough money for a few months expenses. (We're generally very frugal with your hard earned money.)We don't have enough to last until the Jefferson/Gallatin/Jackson Dinner, our big fund raiser.
So we're asking you good folks for some donations to cover our expenses until the spring fund raiser dinner. You can contribute by credit card or mail. You don't have to give huge amounts, every little thing helps. Please consider giving $5 or $10 per month on your credit card. Those donations add up, and will keep us going, growing our party. We've achieved Legislative parity with the Republicans, let's keep going and become the strongest party in the Gallatin Valley.
Thanks for your previous and continued support.
Gallatin Democrats
Contribute
Posted by admin at 09:06 PM | Comments (0)
November 08, 2006
Thank you to the candidates
Chairman Jim Walseth:
Thank you to all the Candidates. It feels like winner take all. The truth is that the fine candidates all over our county have done a great service to our community.
Posted by admin at 09:21 AM | Comments (0)
November 07, 2006
Fast Election Results
The Gallatin County Clerk will be posting election returns on the Gallatin County website before they become available to folks waiting at the courthouse. Anyone can see them anytime.
The website is: www.gallatin.mt.gov
Follow the link in the red bar for election results.
The returns will be updated every half hour or so, and will be cumulative as we go through the night.
For legislative races, the site will list which precincts have been counted, but will not list precinct-level totals. It's up to you to know what the precincts are for each race, in order to know if the results are final.
The election officials will make an effort to count the absentee ballots first, but there are no guarantees. If they don't count them first, then they will just show up in the cumulative totals as we go.
Posted by admin at 12:47 PM | Comments (0)
November 05, 2006
SPOCK THE NEWS by Ron Pulcini
Chronicle Editors Make Lousy Political Consultants
The EMs are flying, local Democratic candidates complaining - legitimately - about not being interviewed for consideration of the Chronicle endorsement process. "The Chronicle Breakdown," they're calling it. My bet is a few Republican candidates (inject sodium pentothal/get truth) would condemn the results as well.
The heading of the endorsement column on page A4 makes clear the editors' intentions: "Diversity of opinion can be key to good legislating."
Score card of the Chronicle's Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down and Rationale: Republicans: 7 • Democrats: 4
Reporter Walt "The Big Snore" Williams, Managing Editor Bob "Control the Troops" Gibson, Publisher Rick "What Would The Lord Do?" Weaver (NOTE: David Lord is President of Pioneer Newspapers), Editorial Page Editor Bill "Sold Out" Wilke, Assistant Managing Editor Karin "They Shut Me Up" Ronnow, et al, have betrayed their educations, intelligence and knowledge of our community by attempting to pass themselves off as political consultants and not as professional journalists. Seven (7) Republicans and four (4) Democrats defining "diversity of opinion" is bad math in any 19th Century primer!
What Master is this Confederacy of Dunces serving?
IF Williams, Gibson, Wilke, Weaver and Ronnow had read the notes they stuck in the back of their desk drawers and, their recommendations to the voters were supposedly about: 1) which candidates possess the best qualifications, knowledge and experience and, 2) whether they fit their districts (or not) then more thoughtful and consistent opinions would have been on display in the Saturday, November 4th issue.
What follows are the Chronical editors' endorsements (in nutshells) and the "internal" commentaries that drove their conclusions:
HD #62 - (Livingston): Thumbs Up: Democrat Bob Ebinger; Thumbs Down: Republican (incumbent) Pat Wagman; Rationale: Wagman has been a "… zealous conservative who rarely works with the other side."
Gibson to Wilke: I know, I know, Sinrud and Sales don't work with others either, but Wagman lives over the Bozeman Pass so when are we going to talk with him again?
HD #63 - Thumbs Up: Republican (incumbent) Bill Warden; Thumbs Down: Democrat JP Pomnichowski; Rationale: "He (Warden) can bring together disparate groups on complex issues and end up with good law."
Wilke to Ronnow: It's good to stretch the truth: pulling disparate groups together by never saying anything on the House floor is good strategy- one less legislator we’ve got to cover. And hell, who wants to type the word "Pomnichowski" over and over?
HD #64 - Thumbs Up: Republican Jim Klug; Thumbs Down: Democrat Franke Wilmer; Rationale: Despite Franke's ability to "…comprehensively list the many issues the Legislature should face," the editors claim "Klug has thought through many of the issues and has solutions in mind."
Williams to Gibson: You're going to make me call Klug because Franke Wilmer and Jim Walseth complained about that lying ad yesterday?
Gibson to Williams [later]: His excuse makes perfectly good sense to me: "Despite the fact that I have personally had this information for several weeks … I chose NOT to take it public or make it an issue in our campaign - we chose the high road." Anyway, whoever heard of a woman hunting?
HD #65 — Thumbs Up: Democrat (incumbent) Brady Wiseman; Thumbs Down: Republican Kate Reid; Rationale: Wiseman's edge has " … boosted him into a leadership role in the party, where he is sought out for his campaign expertise and an idealism that suits his district."
Gibson to Weaver: I hate to admit it, but Wiseman IS brilliant. Besides, I over-heard the Republican Chairman, Martin Coleman, call Reid a Repub-a-Dema-Terian - whatever that is.
HD #66 — Thumbs Up: Republican Gordon Vance; Thumbs Down: Democrat Mike Phillips; Rationale: "He (Vance) will represent the district well and should be elected…"
Display Ad Sales Manager and Weaver to Gibson: Vance's supporters advertise big time with their motorsports businesses; and besides, we've gotta be consistent: how could we endorse Steve "Four-Wheel-Anywhere-I-Want" White for county commissioner and not recommend Vance? Besides, Phillips' followers don't buy snow sleds, right?
HD #67 — Thumbs Up: Republican (incumbent) John Sinrud; Thumbs Down: Democrat (Write-in) Renae Jones; Rationale: "Sinrud has been an aggressive budget and taxation watchdog and deserves a return trip to Helena."
Gibson to Walt Williams: I like that "watchdog" thing you wrote; makes us look like we think he really cares about the peoples' money. Which is why we're against raising the minimum wage - save the people from having more money to be taxed, right? Are you listening Walt? Walt! Wake up!
HD #68 — Thumbs Up: Republican (incumbent) Scott Sales; Thumbs Down: Democrat Laura Obert; Rationale: "Sales has learned during two terms how best to represent the district…"
Williams to Gibson: Interviews with Scott Sales are easy, gives the same answer to any question: "No." Especially education. Also, that Obert woman lives w-a-y up in Townsend - and it's not worth going there considering what you pay for mileage.
HD #69 — Thumbs Up: Democrat Loren Acton; Thumbs Down: Republican (incumbent) Jack Wells; Rationale: "He (Acton) has been straightforward about his views, even as they conflict with some constituents. As the more moderate and open-minded of the two candidates, Acton would serve the entire district…"
Weaver to Gibson: Okay Bob, let me get this straight: Wilmer wouldn't fit in HD #64 but Acton will in HD #69? And when did being "open-minded" suddenly become so important about candidates? I thought Wells' narrow-mindedness made great headlines!
HD #70 — Thumbs Up: Democrat John Vincent; Thumbs Down: Republican (incumbent) Roger Koopman; Rationale: a) "Koopman’s time in Helena has been bumpy," b) "Vincent's liberal politics may not sit well with what traditionally have been conservative constituents," and, "Vincent is best suited to work within the system to govern the whole state."
Bob Gibson to Walt Williams: That's a nice, subtle touch, Walt: calling Vincent's politics "liberal," such a dirty word! But we'll miss ol' Roger coming in every week with his I-saved-Highway-191 routine - I don't remember ever having to pay any mileage for stories you did on him!
SD # 32: — Thumbs Up: Republican Art Wittich; Thumbs Down: Democrat Larry Jent; Rationale: Although "… both are successful Bozeman attorneys and relatively moderate within their parties," "…Montana needs a political balance between the legislative chambers and Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer," blah, blah, blah, "Gallatin County can help ensure that balance by electing Wittich to help build a Republican majority in the Senate."
Weaver to Gibson: This was a tough call, Jent having such depth in the legislature. I am a little concerned, Gibson, about that "Republican majority" thing, might give us away. Let's bring balance to the article, throw in the term "diversity of opinion" at the top of the story; hope no ones reads the fine print.
Gibson saluting Weaver: Yes, sir!
SD #35 — Thumbs Up: Republican (incumbent) Gary Perry; Thumbs Down: Democrat Alex Russell; Rationale: "Perry is best suited to serve Montana and SD #35."
Williams to Gibson: Sure, Russell offered middle-of-the-road solutions at the Gallatin Gateway Community Center, but I was dazzled by Perry's middle-of-the-road solutions.
Lastly, for Karin Ronnow who's written about being proud of her daughter in all her past columns: You and your colleagues did not endorse one woman! You can only hope your daughter turns out to be half as competent, knowledgeable and community spirited as Franke Wilmer, Laura Obert, JP Pomnichowski and Renae Jones (or for that matter that Repub-a-Dema-Terian, Kate Reid).
Posted by admin at 07:06 AM | Comments (0)
Belgrade News Letter from Laura Obert
LETTERS: Obert on Obert
I've been knocking on doors and listening to people. This doesn't take a lot of money, just time. An effective representative really needs to listen one-on-one to people’s ideas, concerns, and challenges. After all, that is the job.
Posted by admin at 07:00 AM
Belgrade News Letter: Derik Pomeroy and the Jail
It is time for new leadership. As your county attorney, I will not run for re-election if we have not begun construction on a new jail during my first term in office. Please vote Pomeroy for county attorney.
Derik Pomeroy
Posted by admin at 06:58 AM
Steve White's illegal hookup
Brian Lelands letter to the Belgrade News About Steve White
...
Since MPC requires an electrical permit from the authority having jurisdiction, in this case the city of Bozeman, Mr. White was given two choices, either remove all the drywall so the construction could be inspected or sign a waiver of responsibility absolving the city of any liability if his place burned down. Mr. White chose the latter. He was given a green sticker by the city and was reconnected.
The last thing Gallatin County needs is a politician who is both accuracy- impaired and considers himself above the law.
Posted by admin at 06:45 AM | Comments (0)
November 03, 2006
Is this all you got? Did the local Gop libel Franke Wilmer?
Three "Sportsmen" put in a half page ad in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle Friday November 3rd attacking Franke for "Hunting without a license" or "Lying about hunting". In short, poaching. They put this ad on four days before the election in a desperate attempt to try to sandbag Franke's successful race for House District 64. The questions abound. 1. What does Jim Klug have to do with this libel? 2.Who are these "sportsmen" and why would they attack Franke? 3. Hope they don't shoot as well as they fact check.
This is a developing story, we'll post more when the proof arrives.
It's not about character,it's about character assassination.
Update:Proof
www.gallatindemocrats.com/documents/klug.html
Update: Brady has more proof at his blog: From the House Floor
Posted by admin at 09:33 AM | Comments (0)
November 02, 2006
Thursday George: What’s the plan, Mr. Bush?
But if there's one thing the Republicans don’t want to talk about right now, it's the disaster known as the Iraq war-and with good reason. We have gone from a fictional cause for launching a deadly pre-emptive invasion of a sovereign nation to the horrific and growing loss of life for both American soldiers and Iraqis for no discernible reason-except that George W. Bush and his Republican-controlled Congress are incapable of saying "we made a big mistake." Instead, and despite the ever-changing vernacular, nuance and spin, Bush and his buddies remain committed to "staying the course"-whatever that means.
Posted by admin at 04:48 PM | Comments (0)
November 01, 2006
Government responsibility
How strange that Jack Wells, R-HD 69, feels that health care should not be a responsibility of government. He's always had medical care at taxpayer expense. Mr. Wells was in the U.S. Air Force for 30 years and is now eligible for Medicare. Even in military retirement he has TRICARE and access to Veterans Administration doctors and hospitals. In addition, as an incumbent Montana state legislator, Wells has health insurance provided by the taxpayers.
Former-Col. Wells apparently feels no concerns for the number of children in Montana without health care services or insurance coverage. In the Legislature he didn't sponsor any bills for medical services to Montana's vast rural areas. He voted against fully funding C.H.I.P. (children's health insurance program, HB 552). Thankfully, HB 552 did pass.
It is this "let them eat cake" attitude towards the plight of the poorest families among us that marks Wells as unfit to legislate. HD 69 has an excellent candidate, Loren Acton, willing to serve. I've talked with Acton, and he believes in healthcare benefits for veterans and for children. Acton is also a fulltime resident of Montana (unlike Wells), and that is important to me.
I encourage all District 69 voters to learn more about these two gentlemen and find out what I have found out: Acton is a man who will consider needs of all Montanans - not only his own, as Jack Wells has.
Celeste Janssen
Belgrade
Posted by admin at 09:18 PM | Comments (0)
Stands up for safety Jim Cashell endorses Larry Jent
As Gallatin County sheriff, I served as president of the Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association during the last legislative session. During that time I had a chance to work closely with Rep. Larry Jent on law enforcement issues. He is the better choice in Senate District 32 to protect our community.
In 2003, Rep. Jent wrote and passed the bill that requires all felons to submit a DNA sample. As a result of that legislation numerous cases have been made that otherwise would have remained unsolved.
By 2005, the Montana Highway Patrol was in tough shape; poorly paid and over burdened officers were leaving to join local law enforcement agencies. Larry Jent stepped in over a two-year period to study, write and pass a bill that greatly increased the pay and numbers of Highway Patrol officers. The dramatic increase in the patrol’s presence in places like the Gallatin Canyon is the direct result of this bill.
Finally, Larry took on the task of ensuring detention officers were treated equally with deputy sheriffs by the retirement board. After serving as House sponsor of the bill, which passed, he spent many hours of his own time after the session, to make sure the bill was properly implemented.
Rep. Jent is a true statesman who stands up for public safety issues and deserves your vote on Nov. 7.
Jim Cashell, sheriff
Bozeman
Posted by admin at 09:11 PM | Comments (0)
Reasons to vote Vincent
Here are a few common sense reasons to vote for John Vincent:
1) John Vincent is the only candidate for HD 70 representative that lives in HD 70 (Gallatin Gateway). Roger Koopman lives in HD 66 in Bozeman.
2) John Vincent is tough on meth. Roger Koopman compiled the Legislature’s lowest and worst voting record on this dangerous drug.
3) John Vincent was a classroom teacher for 30 years. Committed to quality public education. Roger Koopman had the second lowest legislative voting record on education, teachers and kids in the 2005 Legislature (6 percent).
4) John Vincent is a strong supporter of public access to public lands and streams. Co-sponsor of Montana's landmark Stream Access Law. Roger Koopman voted three times to kill "public access to public streams" legislation in the 2005 Legislature.
5) Tough on crime. Roger Koopman voted against requiring convicted felons (including felons convicted of violent sexual assaults) to provide a DNA sample to help solve "cold case file"crimes.
6) John Vincent is a moderate and bipartisan candidate and has been endorsed both by Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer and Republican Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger.
7) John Vincent is effective. In 1981 John was selected as one of the most effective legislators in the House (10th). Quite an accomplishment when a majority of the votes cast were by Republicans! In the 2005 Legislature, Roger Koopman failed to pass any of the bills he had drafted and introduced out of the House (zero for 14).
8) John Vincent has an eight-point U.S. Highway 191 safety plan ready to be introduced in the 2007 Legislature. Roger Koopman failed to lead the Legislature to provide adequate funding for Highway 191 safety.
There are many more reasons, but I am out of space.
Al Jaeger
Bozeman
Posted by admin at 09:09 PM | Comments (0)