Ronan students get involved in election process, host candidate forum
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RONAN — Learning about government became relevant for Ronan High School students in Jessica Johnson’s government and economics classes as they hosted a candidate forum Monday, Oct. 17.
“Civil engagement is so important for all ages,” Johnson told the nearly 100 people who attended in the Ronan Performing Arts Center.
Students took turns reading letters from 10 candidates who did not attend the forum, then each candidate on stage was given two minutes to respond to thought-provoking and challenging questions the students collectively crafted.
In the week following the forum, which was supported by the Democratic Central Committee and the Lake County Republican Women, some of Johnson’s students chose to write and submit “letters to the editor” in response to what they heard and felt was important about candidates and issues.
The following are the letters written by Ronan High School students.
Locally-controlled education important
Editor, Greg Hertz is a strong candidate for Montana legislature. Greg has a strong voice in politics, firmly stating the facts about budgeting, natural resources and education. I agree with Hertz about the fact that Montanans will not have their public lands in Federal hands.
Hertz fits a Montana politician — he is a fifth generation Montanan and wants to pass down a clean environment. Hertz does not want to shut down natural resources but use them to grow the state.
Hertz should be in control of budgeting. Greg says the state should give extrabudget back to citizens and not the government where the growth is lost. Greg Hertz would put more money in the taxpayers pockets.
Hertz will use tax revenue to put money into the school system. Locally- controlled education is supported by Hertz. Locally- controlled education is important because different areas have different culture and background to learn, like us here on the Flathead Indian Reservation.
If Hertz is elected this term, Montana will learn more about using our budget and surplus budget properly. With Hertz in office Montana citizens will have a bigger voice in education, which is important for the children. Montana needs a fifth-generation Montanan in office.
Fisher Niemeyer
Ronan
Need fair, honest representation
Editor, I would like to take a minute to offer my support for Dan Salomon who is running for Senate District 47. Mr. Salomon recently attended a forum that was hosted by Ronan High School students.
The senior class came up with a series of questions about issues that we feel are serious topics and want to become more informed upon. Many of the candidates said that our questions stumped them and made them think. However, Dan Salomon answered each question honestly and directly. His responses allowed me to not only gain perspective and knowledge, but allowed me to evaluate Mr. Salomon as a potential senator.
We need someone in office that will represent us as a community honestly and fairly. He is not afraid to stand up for what he feels is right and has proven this through his previous years serving as a representative for district 93. Please take the time to become informed and consider voting for Dan Salomon as your next senator.
Jenaya Burns
Ronan
Taking a fetus’s life is wrong
Editor, I would like to take a minute to express some of my opinions on issues that I feel are important in our local community and state. In Montana abortion is legal as long as the fetus is not past eight weeks of development, the patient has to be over age 16 or the parent/guardian has been notified 48 hours before the procedure. If the abortion fails and the infant is born alive this infant has the legal right to receive complete care.
These laws face legal challenges in today’s courts. I personally have an issue with the notion that the parent/guardian only has to be “notified.” The law does not specify if consent has to be given and I feel that this is very ambiguous and allows for a lot of subjective interpretation
My personal belief is that abortion is wrong and should not be an option to get out of a mistake. Making grown-up choices also means you need to be prepared to handle the consequences. I strongly think that taking a fetus’s life without ever giving him/her a chance is wrong. We need to be more proactive on making better choices that won’t involve someone’s life.
Rhylee Burland
Ronan
