Spring Forward Day lig h t S a vin gs T ime star t s Mar ch 10
your homegrown newspaper March 6, 2024
$1.25 Vol. 20, No. 25
Parade plans pg. 5
BEAU BIGGS PHOTO
Shirley Azzopardi speaks to those attending a meet and greet event announcing her House District 13 candidacy held March 1 at Glacier Brewing Company in Polson.
Abortion pg. 6
Forestry management pg. 9
BEAU BIGGS PHOTO
Azzopardi announces bid for HD 13 By Beau Biggs for the Valley Journal
POLSON — Shirley Azzopardi kicked off her campaign for the House District 13 seat with a meet-and-greet at the Glacier Brewing Company on Friday, March 1. This is Azzopardi’s second bid as a democratic candidate for Montana’s House of Representatives. “I’m apprehensive about the state of Mon-
tana,” she said as to why she’s decided to run for public office. “We need to take back Montana.” The brewery was filled with people ready to hear Azzopardi speak about issues she intends to address if elected. She also listened to the public and answered questions. With 30 years experience as a special education teacher, Azzopardi is passionate about education. “I believe strongly in
public education and that our public dollars stay in the public education system,” she said. Azzopardi is also concerned with healthcare – in particular Medicaid expansion and the need for increased mental health services. She advocates for LGBTQ rights, fiscal responsibility and laws protecting the privacy of Montanans. On her website, Azzopardi writes “By
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knowingly passing unconstitutional laws, which are then challenged in the courts, those laws are costing Montanans millions of dollars in legal fees. Our tax dollars need to be spent more wisely.” Community members Ken and Sarah Reeve attended the March 1 event. Sarah said: “Shirley is an incredibly hard worker, and she knocks on a lot of doors. She is a
great learner, so she will learn from her previous campaign and make this (one) even stronger than her last. I recommend that anyone listen to what she has to say.” “2023 was frightening and scary and on the path to us losing Montana,” Azzopardi said to those in attendance. “I want to be one of the voices for Montana to help us keep it.” see page 2