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Two Seats Open on Lakeside Community Council

By Beacon Staff

The Lakeside Community Council has two seats opening up in May, and sitting members are encouraging public participation and enthusiasm for the election.

The council is responsible for making recommendations to the Flathead County Planning Board and the Flathead County Commissioners on various matters, including the area’s future growth and land usage.

Members are also responsible for facilitating conversation within the community, as well as communicating with authorities on Lakeside infrastructure.

The election will take place on May 4 only if there are more than two candidates running for Gregg Schoh’s and Janet Heinze’s open seats. Current council chairman Keith Brown encouraged Lakeside residents to consider putting their names on the ballot so the area can have more than two or three people to choose from.

“The board has always been somewhat informal but as the community grows and we expand as a community, we need more and more involvement from the community,” Brown said.

Residents interested in running for one of the open seats need to fill out several forms and submit them to the county election office in Kalispell by Feb. 18. Candidates must also live within the Lakeside planning area boundaries, which run to Spring Creek Road to the north, the Lake County line to the south, Flathead Lake to the east and U.S. Forest Service land to the west.

Some of the biggest issues a candidate can expect to face in the coming year include polishing up and participating in the outcome of the Lakeside neighborhood plan, as well as concentrated efforts on improving downtown Lakeside and stormwater issues, Brown said.

Candidates can expect to commit at least four to six hours a month toward the council during their three-year term, Brown said, and subcommittee work can take up more time.

There are also times when council members brush up against controversy, Brown said, but that is not necessarily a bad thing.

“People very much care about their local area, people get passionate about the debates,” Brown said. “You’re going to be in a position where people disagree with you and that’s OK. I’d like to see people there that can bring their viewpoint and debate it.”

Election forms can be obtained from the Elections Department at 800 S. Main Street in Kalispell or contact the Lakeside Council at [email protected] or P.O. Box 157 Lakeside 59922.

UPDATE: This article was changed to correct the election date. It is May 4, not March 31 as previously reported.