Dear Editor: In Support of Mary Hensleigh

Dear Editor,

I’ve served alongside Mary Hensleigh for two years as Sanders County Director in the newly formed Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority, the newest and largest transportation district in the state. Mary is Jefferson County’s appointed Director and serves with 18 other Directors—one from each County along the route.

The Authority is organized under Montana State statute. Director Hensleigh has been a fundamental author of financial policy, budget rules, and methodologies. Conversely, Director Hensleigh has a positive and credible influence on Jefferson’s commissioners when it comes to supporting the mission.

On a personal front, I hold no elected office I’m just a retired ranch kid from Montana contributing hours of my golden years to my home. In the final analysis who we choose to work for us boils down to something our 43 rd President George HW Bush said, ‘character’. And to me, character is defined by showing up to the job prepared and principled. Doing it more than occasionally, seeing your part through, and stepping into the gap as the job demands. That describes the Mary Hensleigh I work with.

Jerry McDonald

Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority