Kalispell City Council candidate Sandy Carlson

Name: Sandy Carlson, Ward 1

Age: 63

Occupation: Account Manager at American Red Cross for 19 years

Family: Two grown children

Background: I was born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota. I graduated from Hamline University in 1980 with a B.A. degree in Social Sciences. I moved to Kalispell in 1986 and have worked for the Red Cross for the past 19 years. I have been an active member and past president of the Rotary Club of Kalispell Daybreak since 2003. I just completed my term as District Governor for Rotary District 5390 (all of Montana). Over the past 35 years as a Kalispell resident, I have been a business owner, served on numerous boards and have come to consider the Flathead Valley my home.

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

Eight years ago I ran for my first term on City Council. At that time, I knew nothing about impact fees, ADUs, CUPs, or any other acronym used by city government. What I did know, however, was that Kalispell had become my home and I had been given a happy life here. It was my turn to give back. I now know most of the acronyms, but I learn something new at every Council meeting and work session. I value and respect the knowledge of my fellow Council members and Mayor Johnson. City staffers are experts in their fields and their knowledge far exceeds any that I may have. I trust their judgment and ability to present all options when making a recommendation to Council…I believe a Council Member should not allow their own agenda to influence a decision that should be in the best interest of the residents of Kalispell.

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

No answer

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

No answer

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

The past 18 months have been extremely challenging for all of us in too many ways to count. Students doing remote learning, businesses suffering due to shutdowns and lack of employees, full hospital beds and overworked medical staff. These are some of the true challenges facing the city. However, no matter how dire this sounds, nothing compares to the tragic and senseless loss of life we have seen in our home town. My heart goes out to all those who have lost loved ones to Covid, suicide and murder.

Putting a halt to the increase in Covid cases is our biggest challenge. In my humble opinion, we need to put politics aside and let science help us to recover from this dreaded illness.

Why are you the right person to represent your ward?

As a candidate for Ward 1, I promise to set aside my personal feelings and beliefs and to look to the experts before making my vote.