Local elections offer vital choices

Yes, this is an off-year election, without big headliner candidates and issues, but don't make the mistake of thinking the races on the ballot aren't important.

Your vote will have an important impact on local government, and we hope voters will take seriously their responsibility to make an informed choice on Tuesday.

Most importantly, the results Tuesday night could change the complexion of local government in our two biggest cities.

In Whitefish, a contentious four-way race for three council positions may turn out to be a referendum on the way the council has functioned in recent years. The three challengers appear to be more friendly to development and business needs, and if incumbent Frank Sweeney is unseated it would reflect a changing mood toward the council's performance.

The same might be said of the Kalispell mayor's race and two council races. There are distinct differences between incumbent Mayor Pam Kennedy and challenger Tammi Fisher. But most significantly, voters probably perceive a vote for Kennedy as an affirmation of her experience of the past eight years and a vote for Fisher as a vote for change.

Likewise, two of the Kalispell council races have incumbents faced with challengers, and those also will reflect the same plebiscite on recent policies.

Things are tamer in Columbia Falls, with current council member Don Barnhart running for mayor without opposition. Three City Council seats are being sought by two incumbents and one newcomer.

And there are a variety of ballot issues for voters to consider. In Kalispell, it will be up to voters to decide whether the city should enter a new 20-year lease for the Buffalo Hill Golf Course. That is expected to be a formality, as the popular golf course merely wants a contract extension so that significant capital improvements can be made by the Kalispell Golf Association in the near future at no additional cost to the taxpayers. A yes vote is strongly recommended.

And there are two special elections for Kalispell school levies - $2.8 million for the elementary building reserve, and a $4.1 million high school levy. These are also worthy of passage and represent the continued support of the community for its youth.