ACTION ITEM! Reject Bukacek's anti-COVID agenda!
The Board of Health should not be used to legitimize Annie Bukacek's extremist views
We've got another all hands on deck moment! This week, a seemingly innocent motion passed by the Flathead City-County Board of Health could have long-term consequences.
If allowed to go forward, this plan would legitimize the anti-government, pro-militia ideology that Annie Bukacek is promoting with her anti-mask, anti-COVID activism.
What happened
At yesterday’s Board of Health meeting (Flathead Beacon article here), County Commissioner and Board of Health member Pam Holmquist suggested that she and Health Officer Tamalee St. James Robinson, Dr. Bukacek, and Dr. Pete Heyboer release a collaborative statement to bring the pro-public health and anti-mask sides of the community together to help reduce statements.
Love Lives Here would love to see the community pull together to reduce the recent spike in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. And on the face of it, this proposal seems reasonable, and even hopeful, right? What could possibly go wrong?
Our experience with extremists tells us that this is a dangerous plan that will normalize Annie Bukacek’s extremist beliefs, which are based in anti-government ideology, not reputable data or science. Placing Bukacek on the same level as esteemed local physicians and public health professionals elevates her disinformation to their level, which is misleading and unacceptable.
Why we're speaking up
We know all too well how extremists manipulate this kind of situation, and Bukacek is no exception. Bukacek leverages every opportunity for self-promotion, often twisting the narrative to her advantage. It’s likely that she’ll do the same here. There is no reason why her destructive agenda should be normalized and portrayed as a valid opinion on COVID-19.
This is even more of a concern given the activity in Ammon Bundy’s People’s Rights movement that has picked up steam since the beginning of COVID-19. Bukacek is specifically mentioned in Chapter 12 of a landmark report on People’s Rights activity under the Nick Ramlow entry (link here). The Montana Human Rights Network played a crucial role in the research for this comprehensive report.
Please take the time to read the entire report and see how many far-right extremist groups have joined together under Ammon Bundy’s banner in order to pressure local communities and government officials.
What you can do
Please email Board of Health members and Commissioner Holmquist to tell them that the Board of Health should not give a platform to Annie Bukacek’s anti-mask, anti-government agenda. Talking points and emails are below -- please email any time next week.
Feel free to use these talking points and your own personal experiences to write and original letter. Please do not copy/paste, and as always, be polite.
1. We all want businesses and schools to stay open. The best way to do that is by supporting the recommendations for mask wearing, social distancing, and minimizing in-person gatherings as recommended by the health department and local hospitals.
2. The Board of Health should not be used to validate Bukacek's COVID-19 disinformation and anti-government talking points.
3. It is unacceptable for any statement from the Board of Health to elevate Bukacek's anti-mask agenda to the same level as recommendations from epidemiologists and public health professionals.
4. Bukacek has been actively undermining community trust in the health department and local hospitals with weekly anti-mask protests and a barrage of politically-driven rhetoric. Instead of giving her agenda more prominence, the board should recuse her from any decisions on COVID-19 prevention since she is using her position for personal and political gain.
5. Past actions indicate that Bukacek will to use the statement to minimize the impact of COVID-19, which is dangerous for public health and public safety. Her actions are designed to divide the community, not bring people together.
If you have any questions, please email Cherilyn at info@loveliveshereflathead.org. We need as many people as possible to contact Board of Health members and warn them that underestimating extremists ends very badly for the entire community. In this situation, we may literally see life and death consequences.
Emails:
Pam Holmquist, County Commissioner, Board of Health - pholmquist@flathead.mt.gov
Bill Burg, Board of Health chair - burgs.ski@bresnan.net
Ardis Larsen, Board of Health - jlarsen@centurytel.net
Roger Noble, Board of Health - roger@appliedwater.net
Ronalee Skees, Board of Health - ronaleeskees@gmail.com
Dr. Pete Heyboer, Board of Health - jpheyboer2@gmail.com
Kyle Waterman, Kalispell City Council Member - kwaterman@kalispell.com
Tamalee St. James Robinson, Health Officer - click here
Please take a few minutes to write on even one of these points and ask your friends to write, too. Love Lives Here would like these members of the Flathead City-County Board of Health to receive emails all week long.
We have spoken with several health care professionals since the Board of Health meeting, and they are stunned and devastated to see their daily efforts to protect the community as a "both sides" issue.
This is a crucial time to speak up for them and the safety of the entire Flathead Valley.
Please vote!
Here's another reminder to vote early!
If you're not registered, there's still time to do that. If you've received your ballot, please get it in as soon as possible. The website voteinmt.org has the best information on how to register, where to turn in your ballots, and if you can vote in person!
The Montana Human Rights Network created guide to ballot measures! A summary is in the image below, and if you need more information, click here.
Please remind all of your friends and family members to vote, too!
Your safety is our priority
Love Lives Here is on the job all year long to make sure that everyone in the Flathead Valley can live, love, work, worship, love, and play in safety.
You depend on us, and we need your support on you to keep doing this essential work. You can help us by writing letters and making a donation!
Click here to donate quickly and easily online.
