Candidate ready to 'jump in' to solve problems

Phil Guiffrida III is one of two political newcomers vying for a Ward Four seat on Kalispell City Council that incumbent Duane Larson is leaving after 21 years in office.

"It's my first run for council. I'm excited about it," said Guiffrida, 33. He grew up in Kalispell, graduated from Flathead High School and has been a member of the city's Planning Board since last November.

"I've really enjoyed that [experience], the public service aspect, the public comment ... Public service is a bit of a calling and I want to take it to the next step," he said.

Guiffrida is facing Cecilia Lee in the Ward Four election. Also in her first run for office, Lee, 49, has worked as executive secretary of the Kalispell Fire Department for 11 years.

Guiffrida sees an apathy problem among many his age. With his run for Ward Four (which covers South Kalispell), he's trying to buck that trend, at least personally.

"I think it's important to jump in and try to solve problems," Guiffrida said.

"We're all standing around waiting for Big Brother to solve our problems for us, but the truth is the local is where the rubber meets the road."

Guiffrida rattled off several themes of his campaign: "One of my main things is the taxpayer always comes first."

Crafting incentives to help grow business and get the economy going again is another big theme, Guiffrida said, adding that he can't stand to see people having to go to North Dakota to earn a living despite their families here.

"A lot of times people say we need to get new businesses here. But the truth is that we have businesses here. They need to be able to grow and expand," he said.

"Maybe the regulations are too tight. Maybe it's just get the heck out of their way ... Government needs to be behind business, not in front of it."

In some cases, government may just need to make up its mind on projects and send clear messages. As one example, Guiffrida pointed to the talks about possibly trying to remove the railroad tracks that run through town.

After years of discussion, there is still a lack of clear direction from the city that makes it virtually impossible for businesses to plan and invest in a large swath of downtown, Guiffrida said.

"It's that cloud of uncertainty that drives me nuts with local government. You need to pick something and push toward it. That way people know and you can go that direction," he said.

Guiffrida said he would like to see the council take more of a pay-as-you-go approach to its budgeting.

He also said he would like to see the city's impact fees go away, but would be content to try to improve them first and foremost, calling them a "huge concern."

"Impact fees stifle growth, stifle development, stifle the business. And if we stifle all that, you and I aren't going to have a job," he said.

"I understand why they're there. It goes back to pay-as-you-go government. We maybe built some infrastructure we didn't necessarily need and now we're finding a way to pay for that."

Guiffrida said the proposal to levy larger street maintenance assessments on Kalispell businesses to raise more money for street repairs is "dead on arrival" at this point.

"I'm not for increasing taxes. We have a spending problem. It's not a taxing problem. If you want to increase your tax revenue you increase it through smart growth," he said.

"I understand [the proposal] and want to applaud the idea of looking outside the box, because I think it's important to do that. But it fell short. Extremely short. At this date, I don't support it at all."

Another issue on the horizon for Ward Four is Kalispell City Airport, Guiffrida said.

"The planes fly over my house just like a lot of citizens," he said. "Basically there's three options. You leave it the way it is, end up moving everybody over to Glacier International, or expand ... From my perspective, leaving it alone is not really an option."

Driving a pickup with a large wooden campaign sign in the bed, Guiffrida said he has been going to events around the city to spread word of his campaign and talk to residents. He's also been going to all of the council meetings.

"If I am lucky enough to be elected, I want to hit the ground running. I don't want those guys to have to bring me up to speed."

Phil Guiffrida III

Age: 33

Family: Wife, Michelle; children, Logan and Wyatt

Occupation: Works as a manager for the owner of a FedEx Ground route.

Background: Grew up in Kalispell, graduated from Flathead High School, has a degree in criminal justice from Flathead Valley Community College. Member of the Kalispell City Planning Board since last November.

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