Letters to the editor Oct. 6

Not afraid to speak up

I am writing in support of Ryan Hunter for mayor of Kalispell.  

I have known Ryan for several years, mostly in his capacity as a City Council member, but also as a neighbor on the east side of Kalispell. Ryan has a strong work ethic, and I have been impressed over the six years he has served on City Council with his dedication, knowledge and desire to participate in meetings with well prepared statements and creative ideas. 

He has a heart to solve our local housing and homelessness crisis, with respect for all the residents in our community and a deep understanding of the topic. I also appreciate his commitment to tackling issues that would impact our quiet and safe neighborhoods. Ryan advocates for fair and responsible growth for our rapidly growing city, and he takes budget decisions seriously, including those supporting our first responders.  

Ryan is not afraid to speak up boldly at Council meetings, and his comments are always well researched and up to date with best practices. I always enjoy running into Ryan out and about in our community; his love for and commitment to Kalispell is impressive, and he will provide us with the leadership we need.

— Valeri McGarvey, Kalispell

Keep Kalispell thriving

As a former lifelong resident of Missoula, I witnessed the impact of shifting policies on a once-vibrant community I grew up loving. The lack of business-minded individuals running City Council caused a whirlwind of policy changes, directly resulting in an impact on the residents of Missoula.

In 2021, drawn by its promise as a safe and welcoming place, my wife and I decided to move to her hometown of Kalispell. The charm and stability of Kalispell make it an ideal home, but the upcoming mayoral election raises concerns about the city’s future direction.

One candidate, Ryan Hunter, proposes policies that could alter Kalispell’s character. His plan to regulate private property maintenance, while relaxing ordinances related to public behavior, risks introducing challenges seen in other cities. Additionally, his proposal to convert the 200-acre Buffalo Hill Golf Club into an unpoliced public park may strain local resources and create further unemployment for the numerous people it employs.

In contrast, Kisa Davison offers a proven record of leadership. For 18 years, she has served Kalispell, fostering economic growth and community engagement. Her experience and commitment position her as a candidate who can preserve the city’s strengths. Kalispell deserves a respectful and substantive discussion of the issues.

I encourage voters to consider Kisa Davison’s qualifications and vision for a thriving Kalispell. Our city’s future depends on informed choices that prioritize stability and community well-being.

— Marshall Taylor, Kalispell

Experience needed

With the departure of our city manager, our mayor and one of our long serving City Council members, the city of Kalispell is experiencing its own brain drain.

The importance of experience and institutional knowledge in this city’s operations is now more important than ever to anyone wanting to be our mayor.

To adequately serve the citizens of Kalispell electing someone who is just a “breath of fresh air” just isn’t enough.

City government and city budgets and all of the neighborhood and city wide issues need a mayor who is not learning these complexities on the fly.

I urge voters to ask themselves do you want someone working for you who has no experience? Would you go to a dentist who hadn’t gone to dental school?

The two City Council men running for mayor  understand how this city runs and have put in years of service to us.

One is more careful about government overreach and the other, some claim, is only fixated on solving our housing problems.

The truth is both men have served the city and their wards well on varied problems and issues.

Either one can steer our city through this pivotal time for our city because of their years of experience and knowledge of how a city works.

Having served on several city committees, I can assure you city operations are a different animal than the experiences of running a business. It’s a lot more complicated.

— Karlene Khor, Kalispell