Letter to the Editor

Lawson defends herself

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Dear editor:

Well, do I feel like Sarah Palin dealing with Troopergate.

My name is Marla Lawson and I guess it is now my job to let you know the other side of the story.

I am a resident of Lowman and I am running for the senate seat for the 22nd legislative district. Before someone critiques my speaking ability, they should show up at least once to hear me speak.

And before they speak about how I conduct myself in my place of business, they should have at least witnessed it.

The cow elk this individual speaks about was injured by a wolf, according to Fish and Game officer Ben Cadwallader. She just chooses to believe otherwise. Fish and Game actually supplied me with rubber bullets and cracker shells in order to keep the elk out of my horse paddock when I was feeding. The problem actually arose when this individual decided to feed elk adjacent to my paddock. The problem was solved when she moved her feeding operation down in the lower meadow, per F&G's recommendation.

The shooting across other people's property is simply untrue.

We actually get along well with all of our neighbors but one.

As far as my personal relationships, they are personal. But I will tell you I have not filed for divorce three times. We did have a rough patch a few years back, but with counseling and the help of a good pastor we got through it and our marriage is stronger than ever.

As far as my criminal history. There was one incident before I was married (that's why the name change). This was during my first year in Lowman. I got in a disagreement with a F&G officer over a bear problem that I was getting no help with. He then decided that my combination sportsman's pack was not legal because I could not prove the length of my residency. Because it is a separate violation for each tag and license, and I had taken a bear with the license, there were a number of violations but only one incident. I paid my fine and did my suspension and then went about legally hunting since then. This was 16 years ago.

As far as the petit theft and resisting arrest, this was not a valid arrest and was thrown out prior to arraignment by a judge that was very angry with this ISP officer.

My husband, nor I, have ever spent time in jail, and I would hope that a Fish and Game licensing infraction 16 years ago would not be cause for people to discount my desire or ability to serve this district.

My minister has told me that if you do good work and stand up for what you believe you will be persecuted and I suppose he is right, however if our hearts are true and we seek to grow from our mistakes, we will ultimately be rewarded. I pray that people who are consumed by anger and driven by gossip and innuendo can grow also and find peace.

Marla Lawson

District 22 Senate candidate