Meet Ward 2 candidate for Kalispell City Council Gabe Dillon

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: Gabe Dillon

Age: 45

Family: Wife, Lynette; kids Isaac (9), Alina (7) and parti poodle Jed.

Occupation: Guide

Community involvement: Flathead Trails Association

Why are you the right candidate for the position?

I will make decisions in the best interest of Kalispell citizens. My perspective comes from 11 years serving at-risk youth in Colorado, five years of public land stewardship in Montana and a variety of work in the private sector in recent years. I understand the importance of partnerships and am excited about the possibility to connect with my community through public service.

How can Kalispell manage infrastructure needs amid rapid growth?

Kalispell has set forth a good plan with respect to city boundaries and the infrastructure needed to sustain more housing and businesses. The balancing act is promoting growth while also maintaining and improving public services like roads, first responders and health care. We need to make sure our public services are prepared to match the growth.

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

Kalispell should find ways to hire additional staff and equipment for the police and fire departments. The issue is complex because there are vacant positions in both departments while at the same time there is a need to increase services. Mortgage and rent costs are often a barrier to wages offered for these and other jobs, so more affordable housing is one factor. Another is the ability to reach folks that would align well with these careers. An incentive program to draw in good talent is one possibility.

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

There is no easy solution to the homeless and housing situation. The costs associated with homelessness are generally divided between the need for public services like police and hospitals and the programs put forth to house people and offer job placement and preventative care. The role of the city is to foster partnerships and create common sense solutions to these issues. Kalispell has seen a rise in homeless people congregating in public spaces in the eight years I have lived here. There has always been a homeless population but it is much more visible now.

What other issues should the city be addressing?

Kalispell is very close to having a robust infrastructure for walkability and access for people with disabilities. Prioritizing this bike and pedestrian plan amid development will always be challenging but is important to maintaining safe routes for our citizens to work and live. I know there are costs associated with this type of improved infrastructure and I believe one of the solutions lies within the costs of development itself.