Meet Ward 1 candidate for Kalispell City Council Wes Walker

The Daily Inter Lake reached out to Kalispell City Council candidates running in the Nov. 7 municipal election. The information below was provided by the candidates and edited for spelling, punctuation and space.

Name: Wes Walker

Age: 43

Family: Married with a six-year-old daughter.

Occupation: Senior security analyst

Community involvement: I own a small IT business in the valley.

Why are you the right candidate for the position?

My goal is to ensure that we are making the right decisions that adapt to our significant growth while making Kalispell more livable for everyone. We live in one of the most beautiful places in the world, and we should stay vigilant in preserving that for all. Kalispell has drafted an excellent plan for the downtown corridor, as well as a sidewalk and trails plan that we should work hard toward implementing.

How can Kalispell manage infrastructure needs amid rapid growth?

Infrastructure requirements are a moving target, but we must invest in the current and future needs of Kalispell. Part of that is rolling back the discounted impact fees supplied to developers to entice them to build in Kalispell. This valley is a very desirable location, and we do not need to subsidize developers to get them to build here at the expense of our citizens.

Audits of the police and fire departments point out the need for additional staff and equipment. How should Kalispell address public safety?

Safety for all should be our city’s No. 1 goal. Our police and fire departments are some of our most critical responsibilities. Staff and equipment must be upgraded to meet the demands our growth has placed upon them. The Council should also evaluate what funds may be available for implementing and maintaining the mobile health and community paramedicine programs outlined by the recent Center for Public Safety Management study.

What is the role of the city in addressing homelessness and housing issues?

Kalispell should strive to help its citizens — all its citizens. The city has plans for annexation, improvements to downtown and the core business districts, and even for sidewalks and trails — but no plan for building and maintaining affordable housing or shelters. We know that homelessness has increased substantially in our town, and the forecast predicts a continued increase in our homeless population. Affordable rents are hard to come by, and property taxes are increasing. Unfortunately, these factors may contribute to even greater numbers of unhoused individuals in the near future. Kalispell needs a solid plan to provide support for our neighbors.

What other issues should the city be addressing?

Kalispell has completed a well-thought-out Main Street Redesign Plan. Its implementation would be a boon to our entire city and its businesses. The Council should redouble its efforts to see it through.