Kalispell City Council candidate Jessica Dahlman

Name: Jessica Dahlman, Ward 3

Age: 43

Occupation: Registered Nurse

Family: Dana Griffith, spouse; stepson, 11; son, 24

Background: Mother, former Licensed Massage Therapist, Registered Nurse

What plans do you have to balance the impact of growth on the existing Kalispell community?

The good news about Kalispell's economic explosion is that it is not unique; other cities across the West have experienced it. We can use examples of other cities, from Boulder to Walla Walla, to see what works and what doesn't when it comes to overseeing rapid growth. A mix of compact residential and commercial development equates to a walkable city center where community can continue to grow. More efficient use of our land, as well, can allow for population growth that doesn't lead to suburb sprawl that threatens our valley's natural resources and beauty. Second, economic growth should serve the community through providing a community center, where the city can come together and hold concerts, receive education and training, and even get childcare. This is how economic development can serve everyone.

What are your specific solutions for solving the affordable housing crisis?

The housing market is just that, a market. Everyone who approaches the market needs something different out of it and has a different price point attached to that need. The best way to resolve the market crisis is to serve all of those needs; we need to provide a diversity of housing options. Diverse pricing options and availability means that options re-emerge in the market and people will find better solutions for their needs. Housing projects like the five-over-one (one floor of commercial space with five floors of housing atop) are the heart of many small cities with a lot of charm, and already exist in some form on Main Street. The city also has a variety of abandoned buildings that could be renovated to code while keeping the historic features.

What mix of development projects do you envision along the Parkline Trail?

The Parkline Trail is our opportunity to define our city in perpetuity, to give our city a green beating heart that will set its growth for the rest of our lives. I envision the Parkline Trail as the center of community, and any developments should further its use as such. Small storefronts, easily accessible housing, and infrastructure that promotes walkability should be our #1 priority for the new space, so as to ensure that people use the space as intended. To encourage pedestrian use, there should be a parking garage nearby. The previously proposed community center could also connect in some way with the Parkline Trail. The Trail will have impacts beyond just its use, through encouraging walking and biking in the city center, creating green spaces for children and concerts alike, and providing community resources in an accessible place.

What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the city right now?

Many of the most pressing problems surround our city's youth. First, young people, particularly young families, are struggling like never before to find housing within the valley at large, let alone the city itself. Second, we must recognize and help find solutions to the tragic suicides of our youth and general population. Third, the parents of children across Kalispell are facing few childcare options after the pandemic, which presents challenges as people attempt to return to work. Our children also deserve for us to protect our natural beauty and present to them a world worth living in, so environmental protections must be in our priorities.

Why are you the right person to represent your ward?

Through all my life experiences, I'm called toward serving the public with compassion and diligence, listening and learning about the things that bring us together more than the things that divide us. I live in downtown Kalispell and my life is surrounded by the bustling of the community and the unique feel of our city. I'm a mother, which compels me to look forward toward the future, dedicating myself to preserving what makes Kalispell special despite the immense growth, for my children's sake. As a nurse, I see Kalispell on its worst days, but also at its strongest, as her residents pull through incredibly difficult times with the help of their neighbors. Finally, I'm a closer; I'm excited to help the city and put my nose to the grindstone to achieve what the community deserves.