Candidates Vie for Votes

Candidate Forum 5 of 6

SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Community Council hosted two candidate forums, April 9 and 11, covering eight races with 31 candidates in attendance. All candidates on the May 8 Special District Mail-in ballot and June 5 primary were invited. Absentee ballots for the June 5 election were mailed May 11.

For the next two weeks, the Pathfinder will feature two of the races from the Candidate Forum. This week the Pathfinder features the candidates for U.S. Senate that will appear on the ballot during the June 5 primary. Previous coverage of the Missoula County Sheriff, Justice of the Peace, House District 92 and Missoula County Commissioners are available at http://www.seeleylake.com.

MCAT also recorded both candidate forums. They are available by following the links:

April 9 Forum including U.S. Senate, Missoula County Commissioners, Missoula County Sheriff, Justice of the Peace and Seeley Lake Rural Fire District: http://69.144.69.99/Cablecast/public-site/index.html#/show/8653?channel=1

April 11 Forum including U.S. House, House District 92 and Seeley Lake Sewer District Races: http://69.144.69.99/Cablecast/public-site/index.html#/show/8654?channel=1

Montana Heritage, Public Lands and Veterans Top Debate

U.S. Senate (Partisan – 6 year term) Republican candidates Troy Downing, Russ Fagg, Dr. Al Olszewski and Matt Rosendale are running in the June 5 primary for a chance to unseat incumbent Jon Tester (D) in the Nov. 6 general election. Tester was unable to attend the candidate forum.

Troy Downing said he is not a politician. He has never run for office before and is the only one running for office that is not a past or current politician. He said he is a businessman. He has created businesses in real estate, technology, investment banking and insurance. "I lived the American Dream. I grew up in a poor family, I worked hard and was very successful."

Following the Sept. 11 attack, Downing enlisted in the Air Force and was sworn into a combat search and rescue squadron. He did two tours in Afghanistan and he felt that he paid for the opportunities that he took advantage of as an American.

"I'm running because I'm tired of sending career politicians to D.C.," said Downing. He wants to send people who are relevant to the community, the state, families and someone who has done something real like build a business and make a payroll

Dr. Al Olszewski was born and raised in Great Falls, Mont. He has spent his summers in Seeley Lake since he was four years old calling the Tamaracks Resort his second home.

After graduating from Carroll College, he went into the Air Force. After 13 years of fixing broken and wounded warriors in the Air Force, he returned to Kalispell and has worked as an orthopedic surgeon for the past 21 years. He still comes to Seeley Lake during the summer for family gatherings.

Olszewski called himself a "battle tested state legislator" first in the house and now in the senate. He believes in Montana heritage, public lands access and the work that has been done with the Blackfoot-Clearwater Stewardship Project. He feels the leadership in the U.S. Senate needs to be fixed because the Senate is doing nothing. They need to get into regular order like the U.S. House.

Russ Fagg was a district court judge for 22 years until last October. He was a Republican in the legislature prior to that. He has been married for 26 years to a woman from Anaconda. They have twins who are sophomores in college.

Fagg is running because he is very dissatisfied with the direction of the country and the fact that Senator Tester is a part of that. "He has lost touch with Montana." Fagg wants his children to have the same opportunities that he has had. He is extremely grateful to be supported by Governor Marc Racicot, Governor Judy Martz, Governor Stan Stephens, Congressman Rick Hill, Congressman Denny Rehberg, former NRA President David Keene and more than 70 people who have served in the Montana legislature. Despite all of those endorsements, Fagg said he attended the candidate forum to gain the voters' support on one premise, "I'm the one that can beat Senator Tester."

Matt Rosendale is a businessman and a rancher owner near Glendive. He is a former legislator and is current serving as the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance. "Regular folk, I'm just like you," said Rosendale saying he's hauled sugar beets out of the field, worked with cattle and looked into the eyes of a logger as they stood and looked at timber that he was prohibited from harvesting because of misguided policies and malicious law suits that were politically motivated. "Those are the types of reasons I'm running for."

Rosendale said he was sent to Helena to reduce spending and regulations and he did. He was sent to protect property and guns rights and the sanctity of life and he did that as well.

"If you send me to Washington D.C. I will continue to do that and you don't have to worry about sending someone there that is going to make idle promises," said Rosendale. "You can look at my record. That is what I have done. I serve the way I campaign."

Tester (D) sent a statement that was read by moderator Klaus von Stutterheim. He apologized for not being able to attend but said he was in Washington D.C. working to maintain Montana's values.

Every day when he is working on the farm or in the Senate he is working to maintain the values Montanans hold dear. The Montana way of life is under attack. He continually works to defend Montana from outsiders who want to buy the elections, chip away at personal freedom and take public lands.

The Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act came from the Seeley Lake community. It is a testament to the collaborative process and shows that in Montana someone's word is their bond. It is a common sense solution to break a decades-long forest management stalemate and protect the special places for future generations. He will relentlessly fight for the legislation until it is passed.

"I will work with anyone from any party to invest in infrastructure, improve schools and take care of our veterans. That is the way I have defended Montana on these critical issues and that is the way I will continue to fight in Washington for Montana."

For questions contact Tester's campaign at info@jontester.com

What is your attitude towards President Trump?

Rosendale said President Trump is focused on three things: expanding the American economy, protecting our nation and preserving the culture. While he is working hard to achieve these things, there are not a lot of people in the Senate to help him get there. He doesn't agree with everything Trump is doing but believes he is headed in the right direction even though sometimes the way he gets there is different than what others would do. He's a businessman and he starts his negotiations from a point of strength, comes into the room with a big stick, says this is what he is trying to achieve and he needs some help.

Fagg said he liked President Trump's choice of Neil Gorsuch for the Supreme Court. He likes his stance on less regulations and his tax reform package and putting American interests first again. He will not rubber stamp, but do what is best for Montanans. "Jobs first, Montana always." An example of this is the tariffs because he feels that will be terrible for Montanans. Generally he thinks he will try to support the President's agenda and the United States of America.

Olszewski believes that President Trump is the captain of the Republican Party and he is an asset to Montana. He believes in the actions Trump is taking like reducing regulations. He highlighted "Waters of the United States" and the "Clean Power Act" are no longer around. In healthcare alone, 30 percent of the cost is due to regulation. Regulations need to be removed where data is collected and sent to the government.

Downing said putting America first is important. Being a combat veteran, he knows how important national security is. Having a businessman making decisions and putting the accountability that is in the private sector is something needed in this county. The problem Downing sees is so many government programs are inefficient and need someone that knows how to solve problems outside of government and in the private sector. He's a businessman that moved into the government and is very frustrated with the inefficiency. He likes having a businessman at the helm.

What are you going to do to help open public lands for the elderly and disabled, the fastest growing segment of the population in Montana and in the U.S.?

Fagg said the bottom line is federal lands are owned by everyone in the room and in the United States. Montanans are good stewards of the land so those lands need to be opened up to everyone and the people will care for them.

Olszewski said in regards to the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship program, when people work with that program, it should be done. The federal government should work in collaboration and coordination with local authorities. There shouldn't have to be legislation to finish off the project that has already been done. That should be a done project. Since Jon Tester has been elected, 20,000 miles of roads have been closed. "We need to say, Jon Tester, tear down these gates."

Downing said multiple use means multiple use and so many people have decided that multiple use means their use. Having access to public lands is important to everyone in the state. He works with wounded veterans using fly fishing as therapy. They float the Yellowstone River and fish the Madison River. He works with the Gallatin River Foundation that is creating access on the Gallatin River. He feels it is very important that everyone has access.

Rosendale said there are four things Montanans want. They don't want the property transferred. They want to preserve the pristine beauty. They want to have guaranteed access. Finally they want to utilize the resources located on the property whether for economic means or for recreation. "20,000 acres of roads in our state have been closed and it's wrong. We need to open it up."

How do you feel the Federal Government should deal with the cost of wildfire suppression?

Olszewski said one of the ways is managing the forest and opening up the federal forest for true sustainable timber management and harvest. The government needs to sell the board feet like was done in the 50s, 60s and 70s. That money can be used to fight fire. Through managing and thinning the forest, it will reduce wildfires and their severity. When a fire starts, whoever is available should put it out and then worry about who is in control.

Downing said he feels that government is best managed at the smallest level. The federal government is trying to do too many things. He feels strongly that people in New York shouldn't tell Montana how to manage their forest. The Equal Access to Justice Act should be gotten rid of because it allows people who don't have any "skin in the game" to keep people from doing what they need to do in their back yard.

Rosendale believes that the Equal Access to Justice laws need to be severely modified. It incentivizes law firms to come in and file lawsuits that refuel legal teams and environmental groups without the intent to pursue the case. They have to go out and give the Forest Service the ability to harvest the timber that is ready to be harvested. The state properties are being harvested because they don't have to apply to the same Equal Access to Justice laws.

Fagg said people live in Montana because they love Montana. There needs to be sustained yield of forestry products to take care of future generations. If sustained yield is practiced, fire suppression won't be as big of an issue because the forests will be managed in a proper way. Conservationists, the landowners, the county government and the locals need to together as stewards of the land and figure out what is best for the next generation.

Rosendale, when you said President Trump was preserving our culture what do you mean by that?

Rosendale preserving our culture goes straight to the Supreme Court. They are the ones that interpret the constitution as it was written. That is what preserves our culture. There have been judges on the Supreme Court that have been trying to interpret the Constitution for a new, oppressive place that they would like to be. "That changes our culture. It is critically important that the United States Senate control those nominations for those that go on it."

Olszewski said he is the grandson and great grandson of farmers and miners that pioneered central Montana and the high line. He sees the culture of America as a great melting pot. On the southern border, he would like a wide gate to bring in the immigrants, a large wall to prevent drug and human trafficking and a narrow tunnel to vet people who want to come to the country to ensure they will build the country and make it better, not tear it down.

Fagg said the United States of America has existed for roughly 240 years. The American dream is based on limited government, individual responsibility, rule of law, private property rights and capitalism. "I'm afraid we are losing that. To me the American dream is the opportunity for the next generation and that is what we all want for our kids and our grand kids."

Downing said he lived the American dream. He grew up in a poor family and was very successful and he is proud of that. He is worried that his kids aren't going to have that same opportunity. "I want the government out of our lives and allow us to make our own decisions and thrive." He feels that another big threat to the American dream is National Security. There are people that will try to hurt us and we need to be strong in the face of that to protect what is great about this country for future generations.

What are you going to do to protect clean air and clean water?

Downing said there is a big difference between destroying the environment and destroying communities and opportunities and economic prosperity. He feels it is not a hard line in the sand but instead there is room in the middle to have both. Care needs to be given for clean air, clean water and for children but also allowing communities to thrive.

Rosendale thinks that the Department of Environmental Quality in Montana that protects the air and water quality does a fine job. The problem is people in Washington D.C. don't understand what is happening in Montana and they pass unnecessary rules and regulations prohibiting the state from utilizing its resources. He quoted Dwight Eisenhower who put it best when he said, "You can't put a man in charge of agriculture that uses a pencil for a plow and lives a thousand miles away from a corn field. That is what we have right now." DEQ understands our air and our water quality and can deal with it.

Olszewski said if there was evidence that the removal of a regulation has damaged the Clean Air and Clean Water Act, he wants to know and will fight Washington to have it reinstated. He said he learned how to be a good conservationist in Boy Scouts and will leave things better than the way he found it.

Fagg said Montanans are stewards of the land and live here because they love this country, the water, the mountains and the fresh air. Because of 21st century technology, there is the ability to live here and develop natural resources. The most precious resource in the state is the young generation and they are being driven out of the state because of a lack of jobs. There is timber that is not being harvested. He is convinced there is a capacity to balance those different objectives and it has to be done to protect the young people.

What are your thoughts on privatizing veterans' health care?

Olszewski said he is an Air Force veteran of 13 years and an ex-military doctor and has worked in the VA. No, it will not be privatized but he will refocus the VA and make it the absolute best at taking care of service-related disabilities, PTSD, spinal chord injuries, amputees and depression. When it is other health issues like high blood pressure and diabetes, the VA needs to work with patients to get them care in their local communities.

Rosendale said the duplication efforts of trying to give services to veterans needs to be eliminated and staffing must be increased. There are 4,000 veterans in Montana that have scheduled appointments that are more than 30 days beyond where they would like to have their appointment. Veterans are waiting two years to get their annual physical. There are new facilities that are not staffed.

Fagg doesn't think it should be privatized but a private/public partnership is a good idea. He likes the Veterans Choice program but it is poorly administered and poorly funded. A veteran within 10 miles of Seeley Lake should be able to go to the Seeley-Swan Medical Clinic for anything that the clinic can care for. For something else, maybe they can go to the VA in Helena. There is a partnership that would enable the efficient allocation of resources.

Downing said he is very involved with Montana veterans as a lifetime member of the Montana VFW and is active in his post. It frustrates him that the VA is run like a government program. There needs to be private sector accountability brought to government programs. He heard there are 5,100 veterans waiting for the next 30 days to have appointments in Missoula. That is ridiculous.

Closing Statements

Olszewski said he has learned to work hard, honor family and serve the community. His goal as the next U.S. Senator is to "dance with you, to dance only with you and to work to defend Montana's heritage and values." He would appreciate everyone's vote, "Vote the O."

Downing is tired of sending career politicians to D.C. that are not doing the work of the people. He wants to send people that know how to solve problems in the real world. He is the only one running to represent Montana that has ever stepped into a war zone. He feels it is important to understand who is paying the price for freedom and what it is like to see a bleeding kid in the back of a helicopter and understand the price that is paid and what is working and what is not. He would love everyone's support.

Rosendale said he will serve the people like he campaigns. He reduced spending in his office by 23 percent last year. He reduced staffing by more than six percent. He declined, as the only elected state official, his own 3.7 percent pay increase last July. The Governor took a raise and in the same week sent out a memo telling everyone they needed to decrease their spending by 10 percent. "If you elect me no more will we be having good deals being given to bad countries. No more will we be having a senator who takes a pay increase and a bonus for his offices while he votes against tax cuts for you. No more will we have a senator that puts the interest of illegal immigrants ahead of the children of Montana and our nation's military. And no more will it be Obama Care for you, Special Care for him and no care for our veterans."

Fagg said the goal is to beat Senator Tester in the general election. He feels he is that candidate because he is a fourth generation Montanan, he was a district court judge for 22 years and he's made a living looking at both sides of an argument and making hard decisions, he has the Montana endorsements and the Montana support. He has raised almost a million dollars with 80 percent of it from Montana. He believes that he has raised more money from the state of Montana than all three of his primary opponents combined. Those are the tickets that are going to work to defeat Senator Tester. "Tester has lost touch with Montana. Most of his money comes from the east and the west coast. I believe I'm the person that can defeat Senator Tester." He looks forward to getting your vote.

 

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