The race is on for Kalispell City Council and I’m eager to see who puts his or her hat in the ring. As my colleague Dan Testa wrote last week: “Here’s an opportunity to put your money where your mouth is.”
On the comment threads at flatheadbeacon.com, perhaps no government entity takes as much heat as Kalispell City Council – and, in this valley, that’s saying a lot. Some of the criticism is deserved; much of it’s unwarranted, but whoever emerges victorious in November’s election will inherit large targets on their backs.
There’s the never-ending issue of transportation impact fees, the money developers are required to pay to accommodate increased traffic around their new projects. The fees are once again controversial in light of a recent decision to exempt some developers from paying them as long they start building in the next few months. And some in the business community believe a lawsuit challenging the fees could be forthcoming.
There’s the recent decision by the council to locate a prerelease center on the south side of town despite a fair amount of opposition to the plan. The decision was later overturned by the Department of Corrections after business owners neighboring the proposed halfway house expressed concerns over falling property values. Some even vowed to organize opposition to those council members who approved the location.
And, of course, there’s the budget, which is a lot tighter since the recession hit and taxes from new development have dropped off. The council was already forced to cut city positions and it may have to evaluate line items again if revenues remain stagnant.
Those are just a few examples of what you, as a potential candidate, may face. And with a salary of $200 a month, or $400 as mayor, you can expect to make just a few dollars on the hour. But that shouldn’t dissuade you from placing your name on a ballot. If you have ever been interested in running for office – and more people than ever appear to be politically engaged in the Flathead Valley’s largest city – this would be a good place to start.
With four of eight city council positions open this year and Mayor Pam Kennedy up for reelection, more than half the council could potentially turn over this year and change the course of Kalispell. There are enough critics to make each race competitive, but the question is whether they will step forward.
These small-town races, which are often more important than statewide and national contests, can bring out the worst and best in politics. They can either draw an apathetic response, which has often been the case here, with few challengers and few votes, or they can turn into grassroots horse races. And I’m hoping for the latter.
Even if all the incumbents prevail, if each faces a challenger it will at least spark some discussion about the city’s direction. And there’s plenty to talk about, like who should qualify as city manager? We need one eventually.
I hope to see multiple council and mayoral candidates glad-handing at the Fourth of July parade, debating policy in high school gymnasiums and knocking on my door to explain their positions. Since these offices are nonpartisan, the debate thankfully stays focused on purely local issues.
Sure, it’s lot of work for $200 a month. But you get a $900 stipend and a real platform in which you, and other former critics, can vote. It’s time to put your money where your mouth is.