How I'm Voting In 2010

Montana State Senate District 4:

Mary Reckin. I met Mary and talked to her for quite awhile and was very impressed. She's a nice lady, who has a very balanced worldview, and is quite intelligent. I think that she would bring a fresh, intelligent, balanced perspective to the State Senate. I don't know Jon Sonju, but I haven't been impressed by his public statements.

Flathead County Commissioner:

Pam Holmquist. Joe Brenneman just doesn't terribly impress me. He's had his turn, and I think some change and a fresh perspective would be nice. Full disclosure: I'm friends with her daughter and grandkids.

Flathead County District Court:

David Ortley. My experience with him as Justice of the Peace was very positive. I was ticketed by a Highway Patrol officer for speeding on a section of road I honestly believed had a 45mph speed limit. I did find out that the stretch I was on was 35mph, but the way it was signposted was inadequate for me to know that. I went to Judge Ortley and just told him how I felt, showed him some photos of the road, the weather conditions, and the signposting. He reduced the ticket to a lesser infraction that wouldn't go on my record, and reduced the fine to, I believe, $15 (somewhere in that area) to reflect the fact that as I had, indeed, been speeding, I would pay the court's costs but no penalty given the situation. I felt he was extremely fair and that he was willing to look at the facts with an open mind. Exactly what we need in a District Court Judge.

Montana CI-105:

Support. The last thing we need in this real estate market is any penalty for selling. Property values are low enough without the state taking a cut.

Montana I-164:

Support. Payday lenders are predatory crooks who take advantage of the ignorant and desperate beyond hope. They further the cycle of deep debt and should not be permitted to continue their behavior.

Montana CC-2:

Oppose. We do not need a Constitutional convention. The current Montana constitution is serving us well, and any new one could be a proverbial can of worms.

Montana I-161:

Oppose, hesitantly. The additional revenue from higher license fees for NON-RESIDENTS, and proposed fairer system seems great on the surface. However, it takes away the ability for MONTANA businesspeople - outfitters - to offer an experience they are paid well for and supports the Montana economy. Given the rich nature of the customers of these outfitters, I would, however, support raising the cost of the special outfitters' licenses rather than eliminating them.