Letters to the editor Oct. 19

Executing the will of the people

City government is unique to all other forms of government as we are non-partisan and exist only because the community got together and decided to create a city and its government to the benefit of the citizens of the community. 

Expected services from this self-imposed government are items such as a common water system, police and fire services and waste-disposal. 

In other levels of government elected officials are partisan and expected to not only concentrate on representing their constituents but pushing a party platform. Municipal government is unique and quite different. As a non-partisan group we are not to push party politics but represent and “execute the will of the people” that willed us into existence, period. 

This may not be understood by many seeking municipal office but very much should be understood. We, at the municipal level, best represent the government the Founders had in mind: “Of the people, for the people.” 

This is exemplified by my vote against funding the Downtown Safety Action Plan (the plan that included reducing the lanes on Main Street from four to two lanes). It was obvious to me that the community was vehemently against this plan, and I voted accordingly. 

I have taken the motto “executing the will of the people” as my guiding principle. After all, if I am not doing that, I am not fulfilling the role set by the founding citizens of our great city. I have taken this very seriously as a councilman representing Ward 4, and I will as your next mayor.

“City elected officials who are not executing the will of the people are doing it wrong.”

— Sid Daoud, candidate for Kalispell mayor

Managing Kalispell’s growth

Kalispell is about to vote for a new mayor. With all the crazy growth we’ve experienced in our valley, citizens have a choice between managed growth or helter-skelter growth.

Voters now have a choice between three candidates. Two have actual experience on City Council and in civic matters. The third is a builder (aka: developer wanna-be) backed by the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce that unfortunately wants to transform Kalispell into “Everywhere USA”

People move to Kalispell for what it is, not what it can be.

The choice is clear. Ryan Hunter for mayor.

Ryan is highly qualified to lead the city of Kalispell now and into the future. He has served five years on City Council, has a degree and experience in urban planning, thoroughly researches issues (as the Oct. 12 Bob Lopp letter points out) brought to Council, reaches across the aisle on difficult matters and makes the best decisions possible for Kalispell. He opposes urban sprawl and will use taxpayer funds for projects that benefit citizens from every walk of life.

Ryan’s profession as a land trust conservationist is immeasurably valuable at a time when farmland and public lands are being ravaged by unplanned growth. 

Above all, Ryan’s greatest ability is to thoughtfully and inclusively create real solutions to challenges unaffected by ulterior motives and self-interest. He wholeheartedly supports the proposed new jail, so law enforcement can continue to keep our community safe.

Ryan Hunter is a leader with civic experience who puts the best interests of residents first every time he votes.

— Chrysta Bourne, Kalispell

Responsible development

The valley is changing.  There’s no way around it. People are moving here. Developers circle like vultures waiting to pick off the next family farm. And yet, I know carpentry workers who are skilled laborers who live in their camper van because they can’t find an affordable place to rent.  

Kalispell is at the center of this dilemma. How do we preserve our small town heritage, while making sure the working people who are the heart of this valley can find dignified housing? We need a leader who will fight for long-time residents, someone who will be able to bridge the divide between creating affordable housing and losing too much open land to developers.  

We need Ryan Hunter for mayor of Kalispell.

Ryan is the only candidate who has a demonstrated track record of supporting responsible development in the Flathead. On the City Council he is one of the few councilors on record voting to make developers pay their fair share as they move into the area. When a developer came to Kalispell looking to build a high-end hotel with a parking garage, he was the only one to push for making the developer pay their fair share for the portion of the parking garage reserved for the hotel. He is the only candidate with the city planning background up to the job of making responsible development choices. He is the only candidate that will make fair choices when it comes to how Kalispell grows over the coming years.  

Give Ryan Hunter your support. Let’s build a responsible future for Kalispell.

— Jay Cummings, Somers

Pro-housing candidate

If you’re a working person such as myself, you’ve likely experienced the pain of being forced out of Whitefish due to a lack of housing supply. It’s clear this town needs new ideas and a new approach to this issue, particularly from someone who has personally struggled with this housing issue, which none of the incumbents have.

If you are one of those people fed up with $2,500 rents and million dollar homes, nobody is more fervently pro-housing than Nathan Dugan. 

As someone who has worked with him, it’s clear he has bold ideas and isn’t afraid to ruffle some feathers to make progress for those of us not privileged enough to establish ourselves in this town. Make no mistake — multi-millionaires who have no skin in the game will not get us out of this crisis. Nathan is the only working class candidate on your ballot that will soon arrive in your mailbox. I encourage you to vote for him for a Whitefish for all, and not just a Whitefish for the wealthy.

— Dakota Whitman, Whitefish

Attendance matters

Whitefish residents will soon be receiving ballots to vote for city councilors. Three incumbents are running:  Andy Feury, Giuseppe Caltabiano and Bem Davis,  along with challenger Nathan Dugan.  

Andy Feury has been on council for about 30 years. In 2023 he missed 30% 0f the meetings, in 2024 he was absent for 19% of the meetings,  and in 2025 to date he has missed 20% of the meetings. Councilors Davis and Caltabiano have excellent attendance records.  

Councilors are now paid a salary. There are no term limits. If you missed 20-30% of work meetings, would you still have a job?

Remember, you can vote for up to three candidates. You do not have to vote for three. We deserve councilors who are able to do the job and want to be there. Return your ballot and vote.

— Nancy Schuber, Whitefish

A hot mess

Can you picture it? The new up-and-coming Kalispell City Council will most likely have four new members this next year (possibly six). Just imagine topping that off with a mayor who has never been a council member (or a mayor) and who has zero experience in that regard. What a mess that would be!

The general public needs to understand that these new folks who could become our next City Council rarely (if at all) show up for City Council meetings.

Imagine an entire new group of Council folks who don’t know the order of things, probably don’t know Robert’s Rules of Order and will face issues (within volumes of paperwork) that they will have to study and grasp — under the headship of an inexperienced mayor.

Kisa Davison (mayoral candidate) doesn’t show up for City Council meetings unless they have to do with the topic of business and/or development. We do not need a slew of new Council members being led by someone who has literally zero experience in this capacity (Davison).

If current council member Ryan Hunter were to be elected as mayor, the new Council would be forced to listen to him go on and on and on (just like he does now). Many of the current council members just roll their eyes, put their faces in their hands, and shake their heads when they have to listen to Hunter repeat himself 100 times (and who can blame them?).

As a citizen, I personally don’t want to go to future Kalispell City Council meetings (unless Sid Daoud becomes mayor) and wade through all this muck and mud. Sitting through Council meetings is hard enough with the current members who actually know the procedures. I can’t fathom it with a whole new council and mayor who will have to learn everything from scratch!

Realistically, the mayor role is going to take someone educated, strong and experienced, who has common sense and years of Council prowess under his belt —such as Sid Daoud — to run this new show. 

We need someone with tenacity and patience who will really guide a new council. Sid can lead a new Council with more understanding and insight than the other two candidates who, in my opinion, would struggle greatly in that role.

Please vote Sid Daoud for mayor.

— Amber Golliday, Kila

A thriving downtown

As a former longtime downtown business owner, I wholeheartedly endorse Kalispell City Councilor Ryan Hunter for mayor. With his vision, experience, and dedication, he is the leader we need to make downtown a space everyone can enjoy.

Downtown traffic noise and congestion are the most significant barriers to a thriving business environment. With funding for the Main Street plan gone and the project off the table, Ryan is committed to working with the community to find creative solutions to this problem. He will also collaborate with the state and federal partners to improve the southern intersection of U.S. 93 and the bypass to ease traffic flow downtown.

Ryan also recognizes that increasing the number of residents downtown will directly benefit local businesses. He is committed to reforming zoning laws and implementing design standards along the Parkline Trail to ensure that residential and retail development flourishes while being sure to preserve our historic structures.

Furthermore, Ryan will advocate for state and federal funding to improve downtown infrastructure, unlocking its redevelopment potential. He also plans to work with nonprofit partners and tap state funding to address homelessness, helping individuals access the housing and treatment they need.

With an urban planning degree and six years of experience on the City Council, Ryan has the knowledge and skills to navigate the challenges our historic downtown faces. He is the best candidate to lead our community and make downtown a vibrant, thriving destination for both residents and visitors.

— Margaret Lekander, Kalispell

Mayoral excellence

Wisdom, discernment, study and effort are all attributes which exemplify a qualified and accomplished mayor. These are the attributes of excellence. 

These are standards that are not just achieved overnight, but over time. The best mayors are the ones who rise to the position as a result of diligence. 

Wisdom takes weighing in on many factors from many angles and then deciding the best solution. Discernment is the ability to judge and perceive things clearly. Study requires putting in hours of tedious work reading documents, letters, graphs and emails from citizens. Effort means working hard and putting in long hours. 

The mayoral role shouldn’t be based on a popularity contest but rather on who is able and willing to work long arduous hours behind the scenes. The person who consistently demonstrates these characteristics is the most qualified for the position as mayor of Kalispell. 

Ryan Hunter lacks many of these traits. He lacks discernment, and his understanding of Kalispell history is greatly lacking, by his own admission (listen to the City Council work session dated Aug. 26, 2024). Ryan lacks wisdom in his perception of areas such as water usage (we have an overabundance of water in our town). 

Kisa Davison lacks effort, as she only shows up for Kalispell City Council meetings when the topic revolves around building/development and business. One would think that, if she were really that serious about becoming mayor, she would jump at the chance to be at every Council meeting. She doesn’t have prior knowledge of what this intensive and detailed role is really comprised of. The diligence, knowledge and experience required would be a rude awakening for her.

The traits that a mayor needs to fulfill their role with excellence come with experience, service, humility, perseverance, and fortitude. There is only one candidate who fits the bill: Sid Daoud.

Sid Daoud is the most competent and capable candidate for the role of mayor. He has lived in Kalispell the longest, he was born and raised in our glorious state (the other two candidates are transplants). By nature, Sid is a servant, an excellent listener, quick to respond and willing to put the wishes of the people of our city before his own interests. He has the best fiscal voting record on the Council, he is determined to “execute the will of the people,” he is a community helper, and he conscientiously studies the material set before him, so that he is ready to tackle intensive tasks at council meetings. 

I urge you to vote wisely. Vote for excellence. Vote for Sid Daoud as Kalispell’s next mayor. 

— Anthony Barone, Kalispell