Rod Kuntz named new Kalispell councilor

After hearing brief presentations from 11 applicants for a vacant Kalispell City Council position Monday, the council appointed Rod Kuntz, a Kalispell resident since 1986 who has a variety of experience.

At Mayor Mark Johnson’s suggestion, the council used a weighted balloting method, where council members submitted ballots with their top one, two and three picks. Top picks got three points, while second picks got two and third picks got one point.

At the end of that process, the council decided to make nominations for the two applicants with the most points — John Hinchey and Kuntz.

Council member Chad Graham nominated Kuntz, but that motion failed on a 4-4 vote. Jim Atkinson nominated Hinchey and that motion also got a 4-4 split vote.

Then the council unanimously agreed to go with the applicant who got the most points, with council members not knowing who that was. Kuntz had 10 points, and Hinchey had eight.

Johnson praised all of the applicants.

“Everybody who has applied is a great choice, a great selection, so this is tough,” he said before the voting began.

Also applying for the Ward 3 seat vacated by Randy Kenyon were Steve Burglund, Jim Cossitt, Rick Hull, Lance Isaak, Mary Kay Myett, Bill Nelson, Karlene Osorio-Khor, Marc Rold and Jonathan Smith.

Kuntz will serve the remainder of Kenyon’s term, which expires at the end of 2015.

Kuntz gave the briefest presentation of all the applicants, and at one point he mentioned that if he were not selected, he recommended the council appoint Osorio-Khor.

Contacted Tuesday, Kuntz said his selection “kind of took me by surprise.”

Kuntz said the application letter he submitted to the city emphasized his core values and work ethic rather than his work experience.

“I’m not the one there with all the government experience, and background on committees, but one measurement of experience is what I’ve learned,” he said. “Kind of being an outsider from all that stuff, they probably saw an opportunity for a fresh set of eyes on the council.”

Kuntz said he pays attention to all issues relevant to the city, but he has long believed that a priority for the city should be planning for growth.

He currently works as a salesman at Don K Subaru. He has managed wholesale and retail businesses, has developed a successful network marketing organization, and served in the National Guard in Montana and Hawaii.