Editor:

The Montana Public Service Commission is a five-member board responsible for the regulation of energy, telecommunications, water/sewer, transportation, and pipeline utilities. PSC District 4 spans Lincoln, Sanders, Mineral, Missoula, Powell, Granite, and Ravalli counties. The total square miles of these counties rivals that of New Jersey, Connecticut and Delaware combined. District 4’s population is larger than that of Salt Lake City, Utah. Therefore, the board member position requires someone who can think big and consider what is best for the varying needs of the members of the district and the state. Monica Tranel has the experience, knowledge and forward-thinking needed to balance corporate and citizens’ rights. Whether you live in a frontier town, rural community, suburb or city, Monica will represent us all.

Monica knows that Montana can generate millions of dollars of new investments and good-paying jobs in our communities. She understands the importance of building fast and dependable telecommunications networks to keep our schools and businesses competitive in our global economy. If you are like me, you know how important internet and cellular services are in our state. We rely on dependable telecommunications to provide quality education, competitive business, medical services, communications with friends and family, emergency services, assistance for veterans, and more. We’ve all experienced the negative consequences when our telecommunications fail us at inopportune times. It puts us at a disadvantage. Monica won’t stand for that.

Monica Tranel will fight to keep Montana competitive in telecommunications and other utility sectors. Monica has two decades of experience working with PCS and now it’s time for her to serve on the board. Her energy, teamwork and knowledge of law and regulatory issues make her the perfect candidate for this position. She will fight out-of-state monopolies and work to keep our monthly utilities affordable. Monica will reject hyper-partisanship to eliminate the economic blow to Montana’s rural schools, roads, and emergency responders. A two-time Olympian, Monica Tranel has what it takes to optimize and protect our vast resources, moving us in a forward direction.

Daisy Carlsmith,

Trout Creek