Kennedy files for third term as city mayor
With the clock ticking down on the final week to file in local elections, Kalispell Mayor Pam Kennedy has thrown her hat in the ring.
The two-term mayor and veteran of two terms on Kalispell City Council in the 1990s filed papers with the county election office on Friday.
"My knowledge, my commitment, my compassion and leadership make me the most qualified person" for the job, Kennedy said. "I have an understanding of the complex issues facing city government, I have an understanding of the city code. And I have a proven commitment to our community."
Kennedy moved here from the Minneapolis area 30 years ago, trading a real estate career for the medical field when she went to work for a radiologist. For over 25 years she was in the construction business as the office manager for Pack and Co., which later became NuPac. She now works with her brother in Great Bear Builders, where she handles accounting and works with clients on design.
When relocating to Montana she also got involved in issues with women and children, a continuing interest. Her community service includes such organizations as Flathead CARE, Center for Restorative Youth Justice, Family Violence Council, Kalispell Youth Advisory Council and The Nurturing Center.
Kennedy is a past president of the Montana League of Cities and Towns, sits on the Montana Board of Crime Control, is a past vice president of the Kalispell City-County Planning Board, is on the Federal Advisory Council on Juvenile Justice, and sat on the Kalispell Police Advisory Council and Kalispell Development Coalition.
She pointed to city accomplishments under her leadership as mayor - consolidated 911 services with the county, created a business improvement district, built the first fire substation, upgraded Meridian Road, enhanced communication with citizens through the city Web site, built Kidsports, and secured no increase in city health insurance premiums through the Montana Municipal Insurance Authority this year.
But her biggest challenge is easing the city through its financial crunch.
"The budget is the No. 1 issue facing the city of Kalispell. It comes down to how can we offer quality services without (overtaxing citizens)," Kennedy said.
"Everyone is saying that Kalispell is broke, but the reality is we do have cash. We have over $20 million in cash and we can pay our bills," she said. Although current cash reserves in the general fund are just $130,000, the city had 15 percent reserves in 2007, she said. "That was fairly recently… We'll get there again."
Other city election races are shaping up with the filing deadline just two days away. Candidates must file by 5 p.m. Thursday.
In Whitefish, five people - Bill Kahle, Chris Hyatt, Philip B. Mitchell and incumbents Nick Palmer and Frank Sweeney - are vying for three council vacancies. The terms of Palmer, Sweeney and Nancy Woodruff expire at the end of the year.
Whitefish City Judge Bradley Johnson is running for Whitefish's new municipal judge post.
In Columbia Falls, incumbents Michael Shepard and David Petersen are running for re-election, and Matthew McConville has filed for one of three open slots. The terms of Shepard, Petersen and Harvey Reikofski are expiring.
Don Barnhart has filed for Columbia Falls mayor.
In Kalispell, incumbent Bob Hafferman remains unopposed in Ward 1. Incumbent Hank Olson faces Jeff Zauner in Ward 2; incumbent Jim Atkinson will be challenged by Marc Rold in Ward 3; and incumbent Tim Kluesner has filed for re-election in Ward 4 and so far is unopposed.
Kennedy faces Tammi Fisher for Kalispell mayor.
Kalispell Municipal Judge Heidi Ulbricht has filed for re-election.