This letter to the editor about Tuesday's municipal election arrived too late to include in the dead-tree edition:

To the Editor:

If you care about quality of life in Billings, then it is important that you
make your voice heard by voting in the upcoming city council election. The city
council makes critical decisions that affect how our community grows, our
parks and recreation, transportation, and our air and water quality.

As co-chairs of the Yellowstone County Chapter of Montana Conservation
Voters, we are pleased to announce our endorsements for the upcoming city
council election. After our chapter sent questionnaires to all candidates
running for election in all five wards and conducted interviews with those responding,
we have decided to endorse two candidates ­ Peggie Gaghen in Ward I and Jack Johnson
in Ward IV.

As a former city council member and a community volunteer, Jack has taken
an active role in the development of the city/county growth plan and has been
an advocate for improving Billings’ air quality. He has extensive public service
and knows how important clean air and water and open space are to a strong l
economy. Since her recent appointment to the city council, Peggie has also been a voice for conservation and responsible planning and growth, and represents the conservation values
that are important to Billings residents.

We believe Peggie and Jack will be strong supporters of clean air and water,
outdoor recreational opportunities, and maintaining Billings’ quality of
life. Jack and Peggie are the best choices for their wards and have shown their commitment to
this community through their extensive public service. Both candidates
have a September 9 primary. Turnout in the last city election was only 34%.
If you vote, you can make a difference!

Sincerely,


John Gibson and Sally Hickman
Montana Conservation Voters - Yellowstone County Chapter Co-Chairs