Dear Editor

Education, Community, Commitment

Election day looms near. There is an awful lot of noise out there right now about national races, but in the end, what really effects our everyday lives happens a lot closer to home. Our property taxes, our children’s education, our personal rights and privileges are most often determined at a much more local level. For those in House District #3 race for State Legislature, I ask that when you go to the polls on Nov 2^nd (please vote!), please be careful when considering who can best carry your concerns and issues to our State House.

If you don’t already know him, I’d like to introduce you to my friend, Zac Perry:

Zac Perry was born in House District 3, grew up in Martin City, went to Canyon Elementary and graduated from Columbia Falls High School – he was football player, a basketball player, a track runner, and still managed to graduate with a perfect 4.0, first in his class. He then took advantage of the great education he received in our small town, and secured a Bachelor’s degree in political science from the prestigious University of Notre Dame. Then he brought this education home to the Flathead Valley and to his community.

When Zac is not running the Ox Yoke Inn in Martin City, or teaching kids at Columbia Falls High School, he is working on building a safer walking/biking system for local kids to get to school, and to rebuild the Historic Red Bridge across the Flathead, and singing in the CF Community Choir, and helping with anything and everything at the Columbia Falls Farmer’s Market, and working with Canyon business leaders to improve the economic climate and extend the business season. When was the last time you saw any of the other candidates in the race participating at this level – not just showing up for public meetings seeking votes, but working behind the scenes to help our community?

The fact that Zac is the only candidate in the District 3 race with a four-year degree from a major university should be telling to folks thinking about how to vote on Nov 2nd . Having a local to represent us who has the knowledge, background, and skills that Zac does is a win for everyone.

The fact that Zac came back to his home town to work with his family running a local business should be a measure of his commitment to the community he lives in. Zac’s deep belief in this community will allow Zac to translate the concerns of all of his constituents into reasonable and effective legislative action.

Zac also works as an educator for School District Six, which should tell you a lot about his strong commitment to education. If you value a quality education for your children, and recognize its benefit to the entire community, you need Zac in Helena.

Why are these things important? Because representation of Columbia Falls, Martin City, Hungry Horse, Polebridge, West Glacier, and all the other communities in the district is personal. We send legislators to Helena to represent OUR needs, OUR issues, OUR values. Zac Perry knows these needs. Zac Perry lives these issues. Zac Perry has our values as his own. Zac will take with him to Helena a deep personal commitment to this community, not a private agenda to forward his own business, and not a radical effort to bring fringe ideas to the Legislature.

With Zac Perry representing us in the State Legislature, we will be able to feel confident that a local native with his eyes squarely on the best interests of our community is representing US in Helena. I am a believer that Zac will go to Helena with a reasoned attitude, a thorough understanding of local issues – jobs, education, taxation, preserving our way of life – and a deep commitment to serve the community he represents.

I am proud to stand up in support of Zac for House District 3. I believe that he carries with him the very essence of what we should look for in political representation – values, commitment, integrity, education, and a selfless drive to better his community. I hope that you will get to the polls on Nov 2^nd and I hope you will send Zac to represent you in Helena.

Barry B. Conger

Columbia Falls

 892-2313

124 Columbia Mountain Ln

Columbia Falls, MT

I am asking you to give me the opportunity to take this fight to Helena.  You have all been inundated with phone calls, newspaper ads, highway and yard signs and countless mailings.  Outside of the intrusion of the North Valley Political Action Committee from Whitefish with their negative ads, my opponents and I have run a clean race with civil and respectful dialogue.  The time has now come for you to vote for who you feel best represents you and your best interests.

Someone asked me the other day what goes through one’s mind during the final weeks before an election?  I simply responded with, “a lot my friend, a lot.”  Now that I’ve had time to think, I must say there is so much that has passed through my mind as of late.  I think a lot about my mother and how much energy she has put into supporting me through this endeavor.  I think a lot about my father and how he would have loved watching me work toward election day.  I think about my friends who have been with me from the beginning and those I have made along the way.  I think about all the changes I have seen in this area over the last 32 years and how lucky I am to have grown up here. 

With the passage of all these thoughts, I find I am filled with a deep sense of gratitude.  I am grateful to have had this opportunity to get to know those who live in the communities of House District 3.  I am grateful for the willingness of people to share what is happening in their lives, both positive and negative.  I am grateful for the many words of encouragement, kindness and confidence I have received along the way.  I feel incredibly blessed to be a part of this community and would love nothing more than a chance to work for both its preservation and its betterment in Helena. 

Father Theodore Hesburgh, C.S.C., President Emeritus of the University of Notre Dame once said,  ”It’s not easy to make a difficult decision and you don’t make a difficult decision because it’s easy.  You don’t make a difficult decision because it’s cheap.  You don’t make a difficult decision because it’s popular.  You make a difficult decision because it’s right.”  When you go to the polls on November 2, I simply ask for your consideration when deciding which candidate is sincerely dedicated to best serve our district in Helena.

The following bills were developed and proposed by my opponent:

• Nominate U.S. Senators by caucus, not primary election  (2005, SB464)
• A person does not engage in the practice of law by preparing written separation agreements or family law mediation (2005, SB476)
• An act revising the penalty for practicing law without a license; providing that, except in cases involving fraud, no penalty other than contempt of court may be imposed. (2005, SB475)
• An amendment to article VII, Section 2, of the Montana Constitution to provide that the Legislature and not the Supreme Court shall govern admission to the practice of law (2005, SB474)
• A person convicted of the offense of unauthorized practice of law shall be fined an amount of not more than $500 or be imprisoned in the county jail for a term not to exceed 6 days, or both.  This removes any charge of contempt of court. (2003, SB 58)

There are now 58 days before we all go to the polls to vote.  As I have stated in the past, we cannot allow the House District 3 seat to be hijacked for the sole purpose of self-service.  Many of my opponent’s proposed bills focus on solving his problems, not ours.  His problems include practicing law without an education or a license and child custody issues.  To use the Montana Legislature for a personal agenda is irresponsible, reckless and unacceptable.  When voting November 2 or earlier through a mail in ballot, I strongly suggest you use common sense and choose the best candidate who will represent your interests and not his own.

• Hands down the best participatory political float in the Columbia Falls Heritage Days Parade with great representation in the Boogie to the Bank race and 3 on 3 basketball
• Over 2,500 doors knocked and literature pieces handed out with positive responses
• Permission for over 100 yard sign placements on private property
• Great turnout for the fundraiser at the home of Jackie Kendall
• Key participation in the awarding of $500,000 to the Historic Red Bridge Project
• Representation at meetings with the Columbia Falls School Board, City Council, and the  Northfork Landowners Association
• Endorsements from the Montana Conservation Voters and the MEA/MFT

Busy we have been, and I think at this time we have reached the base camp of this campaign with our eye on the summit and a plan to get there.  We need to knock on 5,000 more doors, get letters written to the editor, communicate specific points on potential legislation, continue to raise funds, flood the area with more yard signs, add highway signs to the landscape and continue to be mindful of the needs and concerns of the House District 3 communities and the issues that face us. 

Now is the time for you to join us in the aforementioned endeavors.  Play a role in this campaign with your voice and your actions.  When you encounter problems that can be addressed at the state legislative level, contact me.  If you are passionate about a specific issue, give me a call or meet me for coffee to discuss the issue.  When you are concerned about potential changes you deem to be negative for our area, share them with me.  Let’s sit down and talk about potential solutions to the problems we face in the upcoming legislative session. 

We have an opportunity to come together as a district and transcend party lines for the betterment of our communities. Now is not the time for complacency or apathy.  Now is not the time for self-interest and personal agendas.  Now is not the time for unproductive partisan biases and the failure to listen to one another.  Our time is now.  Let us seize this opportunity to move forward toward positive progress, while at the same time, preserving our heritage and way of life for our children and grandchildren.  On we go!

The primary has come and gone, and though I was uncontested, a win always feels good.  The signs continue to pop, and only a few stolen signs have been reported, each replaced by two more.  My platform will continue to focus on the following:

• Quality Job Creation

• Fair Homeowners’ Taxes

• Preservation of Quality Education

• Preservation of Our Heritage and Way of Life

Of course there are many other issues that I continue to study and better understand, but those mentioned above have my primary attention.

I am hoping for a spirited and civil race with my three opponents.  At this time, efforts are underway to organize a forum where each of us can further introduce ourselves to the public at Discovery Square in Columbia Falls, and hopefully debate our positions on issues of local interest.  My understanding is that the target date is September 23 upon the conclusion of the Farmer’s Market.  Our community would be well served by such a forum/debate.

As of late, life has been wonderfully busy.  I have been working with the First Best Place Task Force to raise funds for the Old Red Bridge renovation project, attended various meetings with community organizations, knocked on numerous doors, distributed yard signs and continued to create a dialogue with community leaders .  I have found this entire process to be both rewarding and without question, motivating.  The communities of House District 3 are tightly knit and given the feedback I’ve received, the people want a representative who will, first and foremost,  work for them rather than for a party line or personal agenda.  As I see it, this is simply an expression of common sense and an understanding of the word, “representative.”  The best interests of our district cannot be represented by a candidate motivated by self-interest.

That being said, I want to thank all those who have been there for me with encouragement,  helping hands, trust and confidence.    I will reiterate the fact that I will not be out worked and I will not let you down.  On we go!

Accompanying the beginning of summer is the June 8 primary. I am excited to see who the last member of this four person race will be:  Jerry O’Neil, Sandy Welch or Harm Toren.

As for our campaign, the signs have started to pop up in yards and near supportive businesses.  You will continue to see an increase in blue & white Zac Perry for House District 3 signs all over Columbia Falls, Hungry Horse, Martin City, Coram, West Glacier, Essex and Polebridge.  Come July 5, they will disappear until August 2, when they will resurface ten fold.  If you would like a sign for your yard now or wish to sign up for one come August, feel free to call or e-mail me.

I am happy to report that our campaign is running smoothly on all cylinders.  The canvassing is in full swing and the feedback has been positive.  I feel blessed to have the opportunity to speak with those in our community about the issues and concerns affecting them directly.  With every door knocked and conversation held, I am gaining a true understanding of how to best represent and serve House District 3 at the state level.  I want to thank those who have taken the time to speak with me.  For those of you that only received a palm piece, don’t worry, I’ll be back.

So here we are folks, 5 months before election day.  I will continue to hammer on the importance of quality job creation, fair homeowner’s taxes, quality education and second amendment rights.  We have a proud heritage and way of life that needs to be preserved.  I have said this before, and I will reiterate the fact that I grew up in this community and plan on living here until the end.  I have a vested interest in our area and and have no agenda other than representing the best interests of our community.  We cannot afford nor should we tolerate candidates who have personal agendas that are not in alignment with the betterment of this community and the preservation of our way of life.  This is our house so let’s take care of it.  Vote!

Later on that day, I was able to meet up with Governor Brian Schweitzer.  I am honored to receive his endorsement and confidence in this race for House District 3.  Thanks Governor.

I’ve known Zac Perry since 2003. Zac is smart, a hard worker, and a community leader who leads by example. Zac is also my friend, and he’ll be great in the legislature!

I would also like to take the time to thank the Montana Conservation Voters for their official endorsement.  We live in an incredible area and need to be mindful of how to maintain our pristine surroundings.  I believe we can enjoy and maintain our rivers and forests without permanently scarring them.  We simply need to be respectful of ourselves, others and our environment.

So here we are ladies and gentlemen in mid May already.  I look forward to an increased canvassing schedule and hope to speak with you soon.  The goal is for you to do most of the talking, and I in turn promise to listen.  On we go!

I felt extremely encouraged yesterday evening, not only because of the financial backing that resulted, but because of the dialogue that took place between people of all different backgrounds and party affiliations.  I want to thank everyone who attended this gathering, and many special thanks are in order for the following people and organizations:

• O’Brien’s Liquor & Wine:  Thanks O’Brien and Melanie for donating the wine for this event!
• Amy May & Josh Ramey:  Thanks for taking charge of the second barbecue and helping to coordinate dinner lines
• Jim Eischeid:  you are great Brother James with charcoal .
• Outside Media:  the use of your office and equipment have been invaluable.  Cannot thank you both enough Shane & Hilary.
• Robin Lange:  Your presence and support mean the world to me.  Best introduction to a crowd I’ve ever had.
• Pauline Sjordad:  Thanks for providing the audio equipment Pauline!  If Mrs. Kendall couldn’t hear me, she couldn’t vote for me.
• Zach Levitt:  the pallets were amazing buddy.
• To all those who brought a variety of beverages, salads, hot dishes, plastic-ware, and on and on; your contributions were  immensely appreciated.
• To all those who chose to support our campaign financially.  Raising money is difficult, so thanks for your investment.
• Janine Perry:  This is all because of you.