Candidate aims to help police combat crime

It's been a year of firsts for 49-year-old Cecilia Lee. 

There's the new house on Condor Drive, the two new grandchildren on their way. And now there's her first run for elected office.

Lee, a political newcomer, is running against Phil Guiffrida III for the open Ward Four seat on the Kalispell City Council. Incumbent Duane Larson is not seeking re-election after 21 years in office.

"I've had a lot of firsts this year," said Lee, executive secretary for the Kalispell Fire Department. It's a job she has held for 11 years.

Following a year of contentious contract negotiations between city officials and the firefighters union, Lee said up front that she's not running as any sort of "fire department candidate."

Instead, she vows to run as someone who won't be swayed by any special interests.

"I know that's one of the first things people are going to see and a lot of people are going to think I'm running because of what's been happening over the past year," she said.

"That is so not part of why I'm running. I love the guys I work with, but that plays no part at all in why I'm running."

Lee said her run for the council has more to do with her new home in Kalispell, her intention to someday retire in the city, her two grandchildren on the way, and her desire to genuinely serve a city she loves.

"The reason I bought [a house] in the city was for peace of mind, because I know there are certain services the city offers. To see some of those services going away with no reduction in taxes, and probably increases, that's really what kind of prompted me," she said.

Talking to neighbors, Lee said she has been hearing concerns about crime and the poor condition of city streets.

"They are just appalled by some of the crimes they see taking place," Lee said.

One of Lee's ideas to help the city's police officers cover more ground is to start a neighborhood watch program.

"We don't have a neighborhood watch in Kalispell and I think that's a really good idea, just if blocks of neighbors get together and patrol around just to be more aware of what's going on," she said.

"I've done a ride-along with the police so I know what you see in the police blotter is not even one-tenth of what actually goes on in Kalispell. The officers are doing the best job they can."

Despite complaints about the poor condition of city streets, Lee said the proposal to levy larger street maintenance assessments on Kalispell businesses to raise more funding for street repairs and upkeep is "a campaign killer."

That said, she's not necessarily completely opposed to such a proposal.

"You can say, ‘No new taxes' or whatever, but that's not always the reality," she said. "The reality is that we can't treat the regular taxpayers like pack mules."

"If it's going to be a huge amount, I definitely think it's something that should be voted on just like the school levies and everything else. People need to feel like they have a choice in things."

Lee said she supports economic development tools such as the Westside Tax Increment Financing District.

"I definitely see some areas in the city that are run-down and could probably benefit from that money," she said.

"I don't believe we should be involved in the fairgrounds because that is county property and they're sticking the screws to us enough already. But there are a lot of areas, especially on the west side, that are in need of repair. I think we should use it if we can."

Lee said she has been walking the neighborhood streets meeting and talking to people one on one. She said many of them are surprised to learn that she's running for office.

"I'm probably not the most polished person, but I feel like I'm coming from the heart," she said.

"I am a public servant and I think that is really not the case for a lot of people who are in office. They're running for special interests and I don't go there. To me, everybody is equal."

Cecilia Lee

Age: 49

Family: Has three grown children. Two live in Albany, Ore., one lives in the Flathead Valley.

Occupation: Executive secretary for the Kalispell Fire Department.

Background: Has worked as the fire department's secretary for the past 11 years. Moved to Kalispell 21 years ago from Northern California. First time running for public office.

Reporter Tom Lotshaw may be reached at 758-4483 or by email at tlotshaw@dailyinterlake.com.