Archived Story
Tester, Rehberg spend time in Bitterroot
by DAVID ERICKSON - Ravalli Republic
U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.) visited with employees of Great Bear Restoration south of Hamilton on Saturday. DAVID ERICKSON - Ravalli Republic
Two of Montana’s three U.S. congressional delegates visited the Bitterroot Valley on Saturday, representing both major political parties.

Democratic Sen. Jon Tester toured local businesses, while Republican Rep. Denny Rehberg spoke at the annual Lincoln/Reagan luncheon at the Victor Steak House.

Sen. Tester visited Great Bear Restoration south of Hamilton in the morning to hear concerns from the business owners and take a tour of their facility. The business specializes in native plants and grasses, restoration ecology, and native seeds among other things. They grow over a million tree, shrub, wildflower and grass native seedlings annually for projects throughout the West.

Employees gave Tester a quick tour of their laboratories and greenhouses, then sat down with him to explain how unfair competition from out-of-state nurseries is hurting their business.

“A lot of federal customers are going to the Coeur d’Alene nursery,” explained general manager Tim Meikle. “We just want a level playing field. As a small business we’ve made it because we’re innovative and responsive to clients.”

Meikle also explained the important role of native plants in the battle to combat global climate-change.

“As far as carbon sequestration, the only machine out there that knows how to do it perfectly is a plant,” he said. “We can do a lot with plants.”

Tester told the employees he would have a visit with federal agencies to determine how exactly they choose plant providers for certain projects.

“We are here to listen to their concerns and questions,” Tester explained. “It’s all about jobs. Creating jobs, and keeping jobs in the state of Montana. We want to see what we can do to help these businesses stay successful in this economic climate. Anything we can do to help.”

Sen. Tester and his staff visited several other businesses throughout the valley as well.

Meanwhile, in Victor, Rehberg spoke much earlier than he was scheduled to at the Lincoln/Reagan luncheon on Saturday due to scheduling changes resulting from the blizzard in Washington, D.C.The event was hosted by the Ravalli County Republican Central Committee. Nearly 70 people showed up at the Victor Steak House to hear Rehberg and 11 other local Republican political candidates give three-minute speeches.

There are eight new Republican candidates, as well as three currently-serving candidates, that will be running for various local offices in the upcoming November elections.

The luncheon was a chance for the candidates to introduce themselves and get to know their constituents.

“We believe we can show the voters that we are the party of fiscal responsibility,” said committee chairman Terry Nelson.

There was also a live auction of a Texas longhorn calf featuring auctioneer Ray Hawk outside of the steak house, and a barbecue for luncheon participants.

It was a rare day of attention for the valley, one that local residents from both political parties relished.

“It was really exciting for us,” said Ravalli County Republican Central Committee vice-chair Lilya McAlister. “This is an important event.”

Reporter David Erickson can be reached at 363-3300 or david.erickson@ravallirepublic.com.

Reader's Comments >>

(optional)
   

The little man wrote on Feb 8, 2010 5:22 PM:

" Is you is? Or is you aint my constituancy?

I suppose next, they'll be trampling all over our venerated observances! "

OhBrother wrote on Feb 8, 2010 1:04 PM:

" Pappy O"Daniel: "We need a shot in the arm. You hear me boys? In the bleepdamn arm! Election held tomorrw, that son of .....Stokes would win it in a walk!"
Junior O'Daniel: "Well' he's the reform candidate, Daddy."
Pappy O"Daniel: "Yeah."
Junior O'Daniel: "A lot of people like that reform. Maybe we should get us some."
Pappy O"Daniel: "I'll reform you, you soft-headed son of a ..... How we gonna run reform when we're the damn incumbent? Is that the best idea you boys can come up with? Reform?! Weepin' jesus on the cross. Thta's it! You may as well start drafting my concession speach right now."
Pappy's Staff: "Okay, Pappy."
Pappy O"Daniel: "I,m just making a point you stupid son of a ..... Give me back that hat! Hurry up!"
Pappy's Staff: "Pappy's just makin' a point."
Pappy O"Daniel: "Shut up!" "

Libertarian wrote on Feb 8, 2010 12:49 PM:

" Wow, a liberal tax and spend politian like Tester visiting a busness who can't compete because the gov't takes too much of his money. Go figure! You'd think the business would want a visit from a fiscal conservative, not a free-loading socialist, who rewards bad behavior by stealing from the ones who work the hardest. "

local wrote on Feb 8, 2010 11:25 AM:

" To Craptauer...
Not only is that petty, but it's also untrue.
I'm glad to see our representation in Washington taking an interest in what's going on here. "

George wrote on Feb 8, 2010 10:40 AM:

" Glad Tester got to visit with the restoration company. This is precisely the sort of business we should be encouraging and supporting for "development" in the valley -- businesses that hire local people, trade locally, don't pollute, and produce a product or service for the long term that benefits the region. "

AD wrote on Feb 8, 2010 6:47 AM:

" Tester visiting with business owners to hear their concerns and get new ideas to create jobs....Rehberg looking out for him self speaking to drum up support for himself from the party of the status quo.

Nice. "

Craptauer wrote on Feb 8, 2010 5:08 AM:

" Yeah, let's all fawn over Tester! The only time a picture has been included on your internet articles in a long time. Sheesh. "