Letter: If you value hunting, fishing, vote for Linehan

Dear Editor:

I'd like to draw some attention to the State Legislative race in House District 2 ' Tim Linehan challenging incumbent Chas Vincent. To cut right to the chase, if you value the hunting and fishing we have in Montana, I wouldn't think twice about giving Rep. Vincent the boot.

There is a precious piece of legislation from 1985 called the Montana Stream Access Law, which guarantees public usage of our waterways for recreation. Protecting this right has not been without its battles though, and as sportsmen and women, we all owe a debt of gratitude to legislators on both sides of the aisle, organizations and dedicated individuals who have stood up for this right. Unfortunately, Chas Vincent isn't among this group.

In the last legislature, a bill was brought up called the Bridge Access Partnership Bill (SB78). Its intent was to clear up the legality of accessing our rivers and streams from public right-of-ways, for example bridges on county roads. One landowner, in particular, a nonresident ' James Kennedy of Atlanta, Ga. ' attached fences to bridge crossings on the Ruby River in a less-than-subtle attempt to deny the public their aforementioned guarantee to use the river.

Rep. Vincent took it upon himself to derail SB78 under the guise of championing the private property rights of real ranchers with cows (which has not been the issue) when in reality he was sticking it to everyday sportsmen, helping multi-millionaire Kennedy keep the Ruby River all for himself.

I don't think anything that protects our cherished outdoor tradition of public access for everyone should be a controversy for either party. Rep. Vincent used his influence though on three committees to turn SB78 into a bipartisan stalemate, leaving a thorny issue unresolved, a fat cat landowner happy, and showing the voters of Lincoln County who he truly represents.

On the other hand, Tim Linehan is well-known for his ardent and dedicated efforts on behalf of Montana sportsmen and women. Vote for Linehan if you value your hunting and fishing rights.

Tom Horelick

Libby