Arlen Magill exposes wrongdoing in quest for truth

Letter to the Editor:

Hats off to Arlen Magill. 

Just about everyone in Lincoln County had an opinion after Election Night 2013, but Arlen, who lost his city council campaign that night, went after something gaining steam in northwestern Montana — the truth.

Lincoln County is a newsman’s dream for several reasons, but people like Arlen are some of the best. During my stint as a reporter and editor with The Western News I met some of the most impressive, fearless and committed people I have ever known. Without individuals’ desire for justice and change, I never would have been able to shake up that little corner of the state the way I did.

Women and men walk tall and take pride in their integrity in Libby, but like any other place I’ve been, only a few do so authentically. Speaking out in a small town brings unique pitfalls, but the fruits transcend the day-to-day. Honesty may leave a whistleblower with few friends, but when he walks alone in the Cabinets and thinks about his actions, the silence is not deafening.

I’ll be the first to admit I met Arlen’s complaint with skepticism. Shame on me. Every frustrated political observer should learn from him.

Arlen, through his actions, joins a growing group in Lincoln County of observers who have had enough. I hope more people — I can think of a few by name — engage the political process, own their voice and come forward to expose wrongdoing.

— Philip Johnson,

San Francisco, Calif.