When I took the oath of office of mayor of Kalispell last January, I was in the envious position of inheriting a city in a great position to move into the future due the dedicated efforts of outgoing Mayor Tammi Fisher. Because of Tammi’s commitment and unique ability to work with eight council members with diverse backgrounds, our fiscal house in order. We have a balanced budget, our reserves have been restored to their target levels, ineffective and inhibiting transportation impact fees were eliminated and our local government was right sized without reducing the level of services. These are all accomplishments of a dedicated mayor who worked with her council to set the policy for the city manager to implement.
Now that I am in the position to work with a great council and represent the taxpayers of Kalispell I have had the opportunity to review the important issues that face Kalispell and assess who I think will be best suited to represent us in the state senate. As a city we have many issues with infrastructure funding, environmental regulations and the impact they will have on our utility rates, the redevelopment of our downtown core area and south Kalispell corridor, and further improvement of business friendly policies to grow private enterprise jobs. As I look at these issues and the initiatives I will undertake with our council to address them, I believe that Tammi is the voice we need in Helena. From the funding issues we face to the specific laws that add unfunded mandates on you, the taxpayer of Kalispell, Tammi is uniquely suited to tackle those issues for us.
Given the scope and breadth of Tammi Fisher’s work while mayor of Kalispell it makes it easy for me to enthusiastically support her for Kalispell’s state Senate District 4. She will bring her strong work ethic and commitment to her constituents with her to Helena. I have no doubt that Tammi Fisher is the best candidate to represent Kalispell in Helena.
Please join me in voting for Tammi Fisher for state Senate District 4.
Mark Johnson, mayor
Kalispell