Letter to the Editor - Vote for Juneau for U.S. House

Editor

My vote for Montana’s only U.S. representative stands firmly with Denise Juneau.

I believe that government’s primary responsibility is to protect the common — the public’s domain and rights. Included in the common are public land, quality education and equal opportunity.

Public lands: Both candidates claim that they want to keep public lands public. However, the Republican Party supports land transfer in both state and national platforms, and Zinke has voted to transfer the management of our national forests to political boards appointed by state governors. Juneau will not give up public lands to outside control or to private management. Public land would remain a part of the common.

Education: I am a recently retired teacher and have seen the positive changes that have been spearheaded with Juneau as superintendent of public education. While Zinke voted to curtail Pell Grants, Juneau’s Graduation Matters initiative united the realms of business, community and education and has resulted in the highest graduation rates Montana’s ever had — 2014’s graduation rate was 86 percent! Juneau has improved educational opportunity for all in a fiscally responsible manner. A quality education is a part of the national common.

Equal opportunity: Denise Juneau is a member of the Mandan Hidatsa tribe and a Blackfeet descendant. In 2008, she was the first Native American woman elected as an executive in a statewide office. As a Native woman, she personally understands the need for equal opportunity. Juneau supports the Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act. Equal opportunity is part of the national common.

Juneau passionately works for the common person with common sense and finds common ground in this caustic political atmosphere. She has my vote.

Melinda Ferrell

Trout Creek