I wasn’t able to generate enough support to be elected to represent House District Nine, but the support I did receive was very humbling. I very much appreciate all the kind words and generous efforts on my behalf during the 2008 campaign.
I think it is very important for all of us to continue to speak out for the necessary actions that will result in making Montana the best that it can be. We must show concern for our fellow citizens in this critical time.
Dear Editor,
Be an informed voter! Voters in House District #9, which includes the East Lake Shore, Bigfork, Swan River & Creston areas, I’d like you to become acquainted with Democratic Candidate Edd Blackler.
We know Edd is committed to make a difference in Helena as he is involved in our community. He has taken the time to attend meetings and study the issues concerning Highway 35 truck traffic, land banking the 440 acres of state trust land in the Estes Lake area and much more. He is concerned about adequate funding for education in a fair and equitable way.
Edd is a native Montanan; he knows Montana and its people. Educated in Montana, he believes Montana can become a leader in alternative energy and educational opportunities. He believes we can protect, as well as use, our natural resources to promote sound economic development. He believes keeping air and water quality a top priority is in the best interest for all Montana citizens and our economy.
Montana’s life style is Edd’s lifestyle. He is a hunter and enjoys time with his horses. He is a thrifty/no waste kind of guy, an independent thinker, with no personal agenda. It is time we have a person like Edd represent HD#9 in Helena. He has the time and he does not have to have party members tell him how to vote. Montana and its citizens will be his priority. Elect Edd!
JoLynn Yenne
Bigfork, MT
2008
Edd Blackler is a tall, bearded, stately looking man who speaks in a rich, powerful voice and commands the attention of others because of his words of wisdom. He reminds me of a modern-day Abe Lincoln, the most famous Republican president.
Edd is running for the Montana House of Representatives in District 9 as a Democrat, although he is really a true independent thinker, and therein lies his problem: His district is a majority of Republicans who typically only vote for their party, regardless of issues and viewpoints that affect their lives.
If that constituency would only listen to what Edd Blackler has to say, regardless of party affiliation, this would be the year they would elect a Democrat to represent their best interests. Edd Blackler has an Abe Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt approach to government problem solving, utilizing his skills of compromise, cooperation, collaboration, and conciliation with all political party affiliates.
He is a firm believer in the representative form of government, and by entering into the race for a seat in the Montana House of Representatives from HD 9, he is prepared to vigorously represent his district. Edd’s idea of a good representative is one wno is honest, consistent, fair-minded, and capable of carrying forward the expressed concerns of his/her constituency.
A native Montanan, and long-time resident of the Flathead, Edd Blackler has been a performer in the Bigfork Summer Playhouse, a general music teacher for Bigfork Schools, a real-estate broker, a substitute mail route driver, and a Flathead County Detention Officer. Blackler was one of the original three Bigfork Elves who helped establish the tradition of decorating downtown Bigfork at Christmas time, enlisting the efforts of a force of volunteers. He was also a Bigfork volunteer fireman for many years.
Edd is a former local and state officer of the Backcountry Horsemen in Flathead County. Today he is still an active member providing leadership as a volunteer project leader helping the Flathead National Forest Service by running packhorsees and mules into the Bob Marshall Wilderness area hauling equipment and supplies for volunteer trail maintenance crews and Wilderness managers. He also drives shuttle buses in Glacier National Park. Edd’s conservation and preservation efforts on behalf of wildlife and their habitat and Montanan’s recreational access into the Wilderness are a throwback to Teddy Roosevelt, the former Republican “environmental president” wo started the National Park Service and whose profile is chiseled on the Mount Rushmore Monument, alongside that of Abe Lincoln, George Waxhington, and Thomas Jefferson.
Edd has always had a great interest in the local activities of Bigfork and participated in the original Bigfork Steering Committee, which helped fashion the Bigfork Area Land Use Plan in 1993, and today in his spare time, he can always be found attending various public hearings on growth policy planning and subdivision regulations throughout Flathead County in order to provide his expert inputs.
He recognizes some of the areas of concern to be affordable health care, a clean and healthy environment in which to work and live, a viable local and state economy, and a plan for education that helps our young people to stay in the area after completing their education, which in turn invites clean businesses to come to our area because of a pool of educated workers here.
In effect, Edd Blackler already has many years of volunteer community service in Montana government. I have had the honor to work with Edd on many issues and have been the beneficiary of his knowledge and problem solving abilities. His best quality is an ability to utilize cooperation, collaboration, and compromise skills to create and understanding of both sides of issues in order to form a bi-partisan consensus. This is the year in our history to elect such people to govern us. Vote for Edd Blackler in the November 2008 general election for Montana House District 9.
This article was originally submitted by Bill Baum to the Daily Inter Lake in Kalispell MT. as a guest opinion, and published on July 26th, 2008.
Edd and I have served on several of the same local committees. I’ve grown to like and respect him as a person and as an advocate for our district.
Edd is a listener, a consensus and community builder, a problem solver, and a top notch organizer. He can think out of the box when necessary, but always with an ear to the possible and most evident.
I’m impressed by how well he listens intently to the ideas of others, giving his response honestly, courteously, and with respect.
I’ve noticed how well informed he is about issues local and national. He takes that information and he comes up with sensible, yet original solutions.
If Edd takes on an issue it gets done, and done well. I can’t think of a better man, a better candidate to represent the needs and hopes of our district.
Sally Janover
The 15th of July is the day for “Denims & Desserts”, a rally to show support for Edd Blackler for House District Nine. The Swan River Community Hall is the place, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. is the time. Entertainment will be provided by the “Singing Sons of Beaches”, a Western Montana musical trio. This will be a time to share good food, music, and your ideas and thoughts with Edd.
As a Montanan who enjoys being able to ride horses from the Bear Dance trailhead on Hwy 35 to Estes Lake, and back home, I am strongly opposed to the DNRC proposal to sell the 440 acre parcel of State Land that includes this wonderful lake and recreation opportunity. These 440 acres are adjacent to 640 acres of Forest Service land which they have designated as a Natural Research Area. Together these acres provide habitat and a critical corridor for elk, deer, bear, (grizzly & black) lynx, mountain lion, coyote, snowshoe hare, and birds of many species. There is an ongoing research study of peregrine falcons near the area.
There are a number of alternatives to the sale of these acres that would result in preserving this special area for the use and enjoyment of the public which I support. Under the provisions of the Montana Natural Areas Act of 1974 this parcel could be declared a “Natural Area” by either the State Land Board or the State Legislature. There is also a possibility for a land swap with the U.S. Forest Service. Either of these alternatives would be better than losing the land to private development.
For more information: contact Edd Blackler blackler@acrossmontana.net or 837-5196
During an election season, candidates try to convince us that they have our best interests at heart. Suddenly, they claim to be “involved” in the district they wish to represent.
Not so with Edd Blackler. From the time he came to the district thirty years ago, he has been deeply and sincerely involved with his community. He worked as a vocal teacher in the Bigfork School System. He has been a volunteer fireman, a coach, a member of Kiwanis, a community choir director, conducting the Community Christmas Carol singing in Sliter Park for many years.
He worked with the Bigfork Development Company, the Back Country Horsemen, the Sliter Park Committee, and the Bigfork Development Company. He started a Bigfork Men’s Basketball league and was one of the original Bigfork Elves who conceived the idea of decorating the Village each year at Christmas time. He began taking part in the Bigfork Summer Playhouse as far back as 1966.
Edd has been truly involved with the people of his district. He listens to us and understands our needs and concerns. He is the kind of person we want to represent us. He is one of us.
Vote for Edd and we will have true representation in Helena.
Jackie Ladner, Polson MT.
Please know that the Montana Absentee Ballot requires 59 cents to mail.
Be sure your vote counts….. apply the proper postage.
I am very concerned that the voters in our country will allow the presidential race to become an issue of “Race”. I am fearful that the positions many people hold in public, may not be the same as their vote may indicate when they enter the voting booth.
I think it is sufficiently obvious that the national administrative direction of the last seven years has resulted in a disaster for our country. It doesn’t make any sense to me to vote for a candidate who promises to follow the same path.
The choice between the Democratic candidates should be for the individual who has the greatest potential to bring our country back together, and focus on solving our problems intelligently.
