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Conversation should be open, respectful

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Editor,

Recent letters have taken Dan Solomon to task for his response to Terry Backs’ criticism of the CSKT compact. Rather than taking on the substance of Solomon’s column, which might have been helpful, the authors of these letters (one of whom is Backs herself) accuse Solomon of attacking Backs and suppressing her freedom of speech. It simply isn’t true.

I have served on the Water Rights Commission with Rep. Solomon since 2011. From the beginning, he insisted on a compact that provided all citizens, on and off the reservation, with comprehensive protection for their water rights. He attended numerous public negotiations and information meetings, listened carefully and respectfully to hundreds of citizens’ comments, including many from Backs, and worked to make the compact more responsive to those concerns. To say that by defending the compact from attack he is trying to quash free speech is nonsense.

Anyone, supporter or opponent, is free to say whatever he or she wants about the compact. That’s what free speech is all about. But your right to free speech doesn’t bring with it the right not to be criticized by those who disagree with you. On the contrary: if you are going to be vocal on a controversial issue, you have to expect to be criticized. You can hope to be criticized on the issues (as Solomon did with Backs) and not personally, but there are no guarantees.

Citizens also have the right to meet and discuss the compact with whomever they want. And in limited numbers, public officials and employees (such as commission members and staff) can attend such meetings without violating open meeting laws. These meetings are private, but not “secret.” Anyone can call them, and many have been held. If you want to get a group of people – opponents or supporters - together, commission staff and members will be happy to attend, explain the compact as they see it, and answer questions as best they can. As far as the commission is concerned, to move forward with this compact we need open, respectful and comprehensive conversation.

Sen. Dick Barrett

Missoula

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