HAMILTON – A group of “extremely concerned Ravalli County citizens” is asking the county commission and sheriff for some assurances that they are willing to execute their legal obligations.
The group presented the county officials with a questionnaire/agreement last week that included a petition signed by about 175 local residents.
The cover letter on the questionnaire said the document was designed to serve as an affirmation to county residents that the officials will abide by their oath of office and uphold both the federal and state constitution.
“Please know that the transcendent motive for this effort is to restore lawful government to Ravalli County,” the cover letter read. “That law exists, but is too frequently ignored.”
The letter was signed, “A representative of those who attached their names.”
Robert Gairing of Stevensville told the Ravalli Republic this week the questionnaire was authored by a number of people.
“We are a group of concerned citizens,” Gairing said. “I’m a concerned citizen … as that, we need to know definitively whether or not our public officials will defend their oath and our constitutional rights and be willing to take positive constitutional action on our behalf.
“We’ve got to know that,” he said.
The questionnaire includes 10 points on a variety of topics, including:
• The requirement of all federal employees and other U.S. representatives to obtain written permission from the sheriff with the support of the county commission prior to approaching any county citizen.
• To “absolutely prohibit” any governmental effort to infringe on the right to keep and bear arms, including restrictions on the kinds of weapons a person can possess, including fully automatic or silenced weapons.
• Prohibiting mandatory vaccinations.
• Prohibiting entrance into the county by all employees of the federal Environmental Protection Agency., which the group says is not a Constitutional arm of the federal government. “Much of the so-called support for environmental regulations is based upon the dubious assumption that there is such a phenomenon as global warming, when, in fact, the majority of scientists globally agree that we are not experiencing global warming,” the questionnaire read.
• Requiring the sheriff to form and command a county militia composed of able-bodied citizens 18 and older. “Women must serve, but not in a combat capacity unless the men are in danger of being overrun. It is understood that it is the sheriff’s duty to supervise the training of the militia for a minimum of three weeks every year,” the questionnaire stated.
The questionnaire said that failure to comply with the county official’s “lawful obligations” will result in an immediate suspension and a grand jury hearing.
The cover letter asked the county officials to mail the signed questionnaires in care of the local grass-roots group, Celebrating Conservatism.
That group’s founder, Mona Docteur, said the questionnaire was not sanctioned by that organization, but some members are supportive of its concepts. Docteur signed the accompanying petition.
“All of these officials did sign an oath,” she said. “We want to make sure they understand that and are willing to uphold the protections for citizens under the Constitution.”
Commission Chair Greg Chilcott said the oath signed by commissioners clearly states those officials are required to support both the U.S. and Montana constitutions.
Chilcott said he understands that some citizens are concerned about the interpretation of the Constitution by the judicial branch.
“We have to follow the Constitution and the decisions handed down by the Supreme Court,” Chilcott said. “I don’t see that we have a way around that and still fulfill our oath.”
Ravalli County Sheriff Chris Hoffman invited anyone with concerns about his office to come in for a visit.
“I don’t understand the foundation of these concerns,” Hoffman said. “I have always upheld my oath … if someone believes that I have violated my oath of office, I wish they would come forward and explain to me how I have done that.”
Ravalli Republic editor Perry Backus can be reached at (406) 363-3300 or editor@ravallirepublic.com.
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