Letters to the Editor

For Many Missoulians, Affordability Isn’t Politics — It’s Survival

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Missoula families are feeling the strain of rising costs in every direction — groceries, utilities, housing, and especially property taxes. For many of us, the last few years have felt like a steady tightening of the belt with no relief in sight. The recent property tax bill only made things harder. Homeowners saw increases they couldn’t plan for, renters absorbed higher costs passed down to them, and small landlords struggled to keep their units affordable while staying afloat themselves. These are not abstract policy debates. These are kitchen‑table realities for thousands of people across our county.

This is why I support Ryan Darling. Ryan understands what these financial pressures look like for ordinary Montanans. He has spent years listening to families, seniors, and small business owners who are being squeezed by decisions made in Helena that don’t reflect the day‑to‑day realities of the people who live here. He believes that tax policy should be predictable, transparent, and fair — not a surprise bill that pushes people out of their homes or forces them to choose between essentials. Ryan has been clear that Montana needs real reform. He wants a property tax system that doesn’t punish long‑time residents, doesn’t destabilize renters, and doesn’t leave families wondering how they’ll make it through another year. He believes in responsible budgeting, honest accounting, and policies that strengthen communities rather than burden them.

These are the issues that matter most to the people I talk to every day. They want leaders who understand that affordability is not a partisan talking point — it’s the difference between staying in Missoula or being priced out of it. They want someone who will stand up for homeowners, renters, and working families who feel like they’ve been carrying the load alone.

I believe Ryan is that kind of leader. He is steady, thoughtful, and committed to bringing practical solutions to Helena. He listens. He asks questions. And he never forgets who he’s working for.

Missoula deserves a representative who will fight for economic stability and real relief for the people who live here. I believe Ryan Darling will do exactly that. Please consider donating to his campaign, by volunteering to knock on doors or financially supporting his campaign.

Thank you,

Cindy Tucker Johnson
Missoula, MT

When Policies Affect Children, Definitions Matter — So Do the Leaders Who Make Them

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Missoulians care deeply about fairness, clarity, and the wellbeing of children. That’s why it’s important to understand the differences in how local leaders approach sensitive social issues. According to the recent legislative chart, Representative Tom France voted No on bills involving biological sex definitions, sex segregated facilities, protections for
individuals who decline nonbiological pronouns, restrictions on gender altering treatments for minors, school choice expansion, and religious freedom protections. My friend Ryan Darling approaches these issues with a different philosophy—one centered on clear definitions, parental involvement, and caution when policies affect children. Ryan believes families should have more educational options, that public facilities should follow consistent and predictable standards, and that minors should be protected from irreversible medical decisions until they are old enough to fully understand the consequences. He also believes religious organizations should be able to serve their communities without unnecessary government pressure.

These are meaningful differences. 

Representative France’s voting record reflects one approach to governance; Ryan’s views reflect another—one grounded in clarity, responsibility, and respect for families. Missoula voters deserve to see these contrasts clearly so they can make informed decisions about the future of our community. I believe Ryan is worth supporting because he believes in our constitution and works for the good of the people!

Thank you,
Nancy J Engebretson
Alberton, MT

No to CI-132: We Need Openness, Not More Judicial Secrecy

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

CI-132 is very simple. It simply adds to our Montana Constitution the statement: “Judicial elections shall remain nonpartisan” 

Sounds good, in fact, like a pie in the sky good. Nobody actually believes it. We would like judges to be non biased, but everyone has their own personal biases, some good, some not so good. We all know this simple fact. NOT let our voters know what they actually stand for, what their personal opinions are, or how they might rule – on any issue whatsoever. BEFORE we have to elect them to a judgeship, no less.

Voters should have the right to know, before they vote, what candidates stand for and what their positions are. Instead of hiding their positions, we should demanding that judge candidates tell us in their campaign literature what their positions are. Just like any other candidate must.

What CI-132 would allow is further hiding anyone in a judicial election from having to expose their personal positions. It actually would require those running for judgeship’s to be required (more than they already are) to Do we really need to further protect the legal monopoly that is already protected and isolated from our general citizenry in several other ways?

Russell Sias
Columbia Falls

Stop the $16.6 Billion Betrayal

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Read the complete article: Stop the $16.6 Billion Betrayal

As a lifelong resident of House District 4, I am writing to alert my neighbors to a fiscal crisis in Helena that is being masked by “conservative” rhetoric. While Representative Lyn Bennett claims to represent our values, her voting record tells a different story: she has become a key vote for the most bloated budget in Montana’s history.

To most of us, $16.6 billion is just a number. But let’s look at what that means for your family. According to the Montana Legislative Fiscal Division (LFD), the 2025 biennium budget reached a staggering $16.6 billion. This breaks down to approximately $14,561 for every man, woman, and child in the state over two years

Read the complete article: Stop the $16.6 Billion Betrayal

Voters of Cascade County: Lynn DeRoche’s Underhanded Record Should Disqualify Her from Clerk & Recorder

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Lynn DeRoche is now running for Cascade County Clerk & Recorder. Voters deserve to know exactly who she is — and what she has already done while working inside the election office.

In the 2023 Fort Shaw Irrigation District election, DeRoche deliberately helped engineer a scheme that disenfranchised hundreds of legitimate voters and favored Commissioner Kennard Steinke. Court documents in the ongoing lawsuit (ADV-23-255) lay it out clearly:

She sent an email falsely telling the election administrator that co-owners of property “must” submit new voting designations—even though the law changed in 2019 and no such requirement existed (Mont. Code Ann. § 85-7 1710).

She and FSID secretary Charla Merja privately agreed to “bury” prior valid designations that were already on file and to tell voters they “MUST” file brand-new forms or they would not receive ballots.

They used outdated 2017 statutory language in the voter notice and refused ballots to co owners who followed the actual law.

The result: at least 3,422 legitimate votes from co-owners were blocked. The chaos directly helped Commissioner Kennard Steinke win re-election.

This wasn’t a mistake. The emails and timeline in the court brief show it was coordinated and intentional. DeRoche and others created confusion, ignored the current law, and shorted votes to favor Steinke.

Today the Clerk & Recorder no longer runs elections — but the office still handles critical public records, voter registration support, and official documents that affect every citizen. If Lynn DeRoche was willing to bury records, mislead voters, and manipulate an election to help her preferred candidate when she was just an employee, what will she do when she has the top job?

Cascade County voters have a right to know this history before they cast their ballots. Underhanded tactics have no place in public office.

On June 2nd, vote for Deserae Valentine for Cascade County Clerk & Recorder — the candidate who will actually protect our elections and our rights.

Sally Tucker Cascade County

Vote Randy Pinocci in Senate District 12

Letter to the Editor

I was a State Lobbyist for the National Rifle Association (NRA) for 34 years before leaving in 2020. During most of that time, the State of Montana was part of my assigned region. I got to know Randy Pinocci very well during my past career as a gun rights advocate in Montana.

He was (and is to this day) a staunch pro-gun rights activist! Randy is an NRA Benefactor Life Member and previously worked side-by side with Charlton Heston to set up a Second Amendment Committee within the Montana State Republican Party. He has, for decades, been active with the Montana Shooting Sports Association (MSSA), one of the most successful state pro-gun rights organizations in the country; and is currently Vice President of the MSSA. Randy also stepped up and ran for the State Legislature in 2014, earning an A+ rating and endorsement from the NRA.

He won that race and, during the 2015 legislative session in Helena, maintained a perfect 100% voting record on legislative issues of concern to law-abiding gun owners. After his time in the Legislature, Randy ran for and won a seat on the Montana Public Service Commission, a position he currently holds. It has come to my attention that Randy is now running for the open seat in Senate District 12. I would urge ALL voters who are concerned about the Right to Keep and Bear Arms to vote for Randy Pinocci in the upcoming Primary election on June 2!

Brian Judy
Former NRA Montana State Director

Letter to the Editor

Recent events within the Cascade County Republican Central Committee (CCRCC) have raised serious concerns about the leadership practices guiding our organization. Cancelling the monthly Central Committee meeting for November, the Executive Board called an Executive Board meeting in its place on November 12, 2025. In a vote taken by the Executive Board members, the Executive Board attempted to cancel 50% of the regular monthly Central Committee meetings for 2026 and replace them with Executive Board meetings. This, of course, raised great concern by every elected committeeman and woman who value transparency and grassroots participation. CCRCC Chairman Eric Hinebauch defended this action vigorously in emails to the Central Committee members, insisting this approach was justified. Yet, on November 29, 2025, the state GOP ruled that such actions are not permitted under either county or state bylaws, responding to a grievance filed by a handful of Central Committee members.

When leadership decisions require direct intervention from the state party to realign us with our own rules, it signals a serious problem – one that cannot be dismissed as a simple misunderstanding. This discrepancy raises legitimate questions about the Chairs and Executive Boards understanding of the responsibilities and limits of the roles. Bylaws are not optional. They exist to prevent exactly this kind of overreach, to ensure that no individual, regardless of position, can limit the involvement of the broader, elected membership. When those rules are bypassed, even temporarily, the trust that holds an organization together begins to erode.

Our party is at its best when leadership empowers members, not sidelines them. We should expect – and demand – a Chair and Executive Board who knows and understands the bylaws thoroughly, respects them consistently, and works collaboratively rather than independently. Anything less undermines the credibility and effectiveness of our Republican Central Committee.

Central Committee members remained steadfast to organize the December 10 Central Committee meeting in spite of the Boards’ resistance. We are grateful to have had the state GOP expeditiously provide the Record of Decision timely and effectively. Item #3 under “Findings” reads, “The County Executive Committee is subservient to the County Central Committee. It must operate within CCRCC Bylaws and Robert’s Rules of Order.”

As Republicans, we pride ourselves on accountability and adherence to the rule of law. Let’s use this incident to motivate us to build a stronger, more transparent and more participatory Central Committee where members have assurance that their rights and roles are being respected. Our local Republicans deserve leadership that not only respects the bylaws but also empowers members and protects the integrity of the process.

Rae Grulkowski
Stockett, MT

Lies, Betrayal and Hidden Agenda-DeRoche’s Underhanded Schemes Harm Voters

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Lynn DeRoche is a candidate for Cascade County Clerk and Recorder who has a proven track record on which to base her future performance. And fortunately, we have the benefit of a person who has investigated the performance of Lynn DeRoche. I introduce to you Steven T. Potts, attorney for the plaintiffs against Fort Shaw Irrigation District (FSID), the Cascade County Clerk and Recorder’s office, and the Cascade County Commissioners.

Attorney Potts began a court brief in Cause N. ADV-23-255 in the Eighth District Court in Cascade County in this way: “As former President Donald J. Trump recently said, “In some ways we’re a third-world country…[W]e’re a third-world country at our election.” See The Independent, “Trump Claims US Elections Are ‘Third World’ Despite Sweeping Super Tuesday Primaries,” 3/6/2024.

The 2023 Fort Shaw Irrigation District (FSID) election conducted by Cascade County,including an election office administrator who did not know what she was doing and undermined by undependable and malevolent people, serves as a prime example. Together, they manipulated information about voting processes, deterred voters from casting ballots, and allowed others to cast ballots based on phony designation of agents.”

Read the complete article: Lies, Betrayal and Hidden Agenda-DeRoches Underhanded Schemes Harm Voters