Vote for stability, competence
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Editor,
The protection of irrigator water rights and land is at stake in the upcoming Flathead Joint Board of Control (FJBC) elections. It is important for everyone, including those who disagree with the FJBC, that the stability and continuance of this local government be maintained by retaining the existing Commissioners Shane Orien, Wayne Blevins, and Jerry Laskody. Experience and competence count in this election.
The unspoken complaint of individuals such as Susan and Leroy Lake or Dick Erb is that they are angry with the protective action that the FJBC has had to take regarding the CSKT Compact to prevent the taking of irrigation water rights. The FJBC had to also protect irrigators against a federal lawsuit filed by the CSKT in February 2014 that challenged all the legal title to lands owned by irrigators in and outside the Flathead Project. Protecting property rights costs money and is perfectly within the purview of the FJBC.
The complaining individuals, however “mask” their disdain for protecting property rights against the Compact with inaccurate and unrelated accusations of “spending too much money.” Do they just want the FJBC to fold to their demands and let the compact and other lawsuits just ravage the Flathead Project? In my opinion, they prefer to replace the steady, experienced, and competent Commissioners with those who are inexperienced and not favorable to protecting the property rights of irrigators. This is a travesty and is harmful to all irrigators.
Just because some people want the FJBC to violate their oath of office, the law, or its major function — protecting the rights and interests of all irrigators — doesn’t require them to do so.
Vote to retain Commissioners Blevins, Orien, and Laskody to continue their work in protecting the water and power rights of the Flathead Project and ensuring the turnover of the Project to landowners.
Catherine Vandemoer
Polson
