Tester's field rep hears from local residents
Tim Spangler of Superior reads a letter to two of Sen. Jon Tester’s Missoula field representatives, Arthur Pettit (left) and Shibu Arens as Linda and Ron Forest listen. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)
Last Tuesday, the Superior Volunteer Fire Department training room became the mobile office for two of Sen. Jon Tester’s couriers saving a trip to Missoula for Mineral and Sanders counties constituents to share information, opinions, and ideas.
Regional director Shibu Arens and field representative Arthur Pettit for Tester’s office in the Garden City. Residents were also able to open federal casework, which is available at any of Tester’s seven field offices across the state, but there were no-takers that morning.
Tim Spangler from Superior read from a prepared letter he wrote that he was disappointed in Tester's stance on the Israel-Hamas war.
"As a Montana citizen and voter, I hold you accountable for Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people," he read.
The letter continued with casualty numbers and the room was respectful as he read it in its entirety. Spangler’s letter was hand delivered to be certain that Tester would see it, and Arens assured him that it would happen.
Ron Forest from Saltese served two tours in Vietnam in the Navy from 1966 to 1968. He and his wife Linda, a retired RN, came to praise the work that Tester has done and continues to do for veterans and union organizations.
“Tester’s done an awful lot of good work, not only for Montana veterans but for all of them in the country,” Ron said.
At the sign-in table, pamphlets and press releases were available for anyone who wanted to take them. There was information on how President Joe Biden signed three Tester veterans’ bills into law, which will deliver stronger benefits and health care to veterans and their families.
One flyer noted the bipartisan infrastructure law will be providing improved internet access to more than 3,500 households, schools and businesses and farms in northeast and northwest Montana. Well over $30,000,000 is earmarked for I-90, especially in Mineral County and the bridges that are being rebuilt on both sides of Alberton.
According to Tester's office, the senator continues to push for more resources to assist with staffing, equipment and support border security operations through COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services), Byrne JAG and Operation Stonegarden.
Arens and Pettit are in Missoula at Tester's office at 130 West Front Street. People can call (406) 728-2937 for more information.