Conservation is important
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Editor,
After reading Mr. Yeater’s letter (Valley Journal April 25) defending Rep. Janna Taylor’s 0 percent rating by the Montana Conservation Voters, I decided to call the MCV office in Missoula (542-1055) for information. A very knowledgeable young woman named Sarah answered the phone and my questions. I suggest Mr. Yeater — and maybe even Rep. Taylor — take the time to do likewise.
What I learned was: (1) MCV has endorsed Republicans in past elections who unfortunately were defeated either in the primary or general election; and (2) Sen. Ryan Zinke, R-Whitefish, is one of several Republicans who has scored high ratings from MCV over the years and been a “joy to work with.” And whereas Mr. Zinke opposed degrading our Constitutional right to a clean environment — per the state constitution (HB 292), opposed elimination of state controls on mercury requirements at coal plants (HB 293) and opposed bringing back cyanide gold mining (SB 306), Janna Taylor voted in favor of all these measures.
The bottom line is these are bedrock issues that protect the quality of our air and water. We can’t have healthy people and healthy future generations without a healthy environment — no matter what moneyed interests tell us to the contrary. As a grandmother, I feel I owe this to my grandchildren.
Carol Werner
Ronan
