Don’t let fear tactics sway your vote
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Editor,
Two big fears are driving two prominent races in Lake County. Both fears are baseless.
In the race for Public Service Commission, some people are worried that clean energy is more expensive than dirty energy, and we can’t afford it. That fear is flatly refuted by actual recent power purchases by Northwestern Energy, which transmits most of Montana’s electricity. Northwestern bought energy from new coal-fired power plants (Colstrip 4) for $54.69 per MWH, and from new wind farms (Judith Gap) for $39.48 per MWH. And Northwestern priced energy gained from new conservation measures at just $4.80 per MWH.
So when Ken Toole works for energy conservation and cleaner sources of power, we should thank him. Not only is it better for the environment, but it’s also often cheaper and creates high-paying jobs.
In the House District 12 race, some people focus on wasteful government spending and deficits. But Montana doesn’t have a deficit. We’ve had a surplus for years, thanks to the responsible fiscal management of representatives like John Fleming.
These fears are being stoked by oversized postcards that have been appearing in our mailboxes, with no stated author and no return address - in violation of Montana campaign law.
All candidates should speak out against these tactics. A wise president a few decades back put it quite simply: the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
Ken Toole and John Fleming deserve our support. Please vote to re-elect these good men on Nov. 2.
Tom Smith
Charlo
