Copyright Kalispell Inter Lake
Ahead of Kalispell's Nov. 4 municipal election, the Daily Inter Lake sent questionnaires to City Council candidates running in contested races. Candidates were instructed to keep their answers to each of the questions to under 150 words. Answers were lightly editing for brevity, clarity, Associated Press style and grammar. WARD 1 Sandy Carlson (I) Age: 67 Family: Two grown children Occupation: Account Manager II, American Red Cross, 23 years Community service: Active member of Daybreak Rotary Club - 22 years, Rotary District Governor for the state 2020-2021. Third term on Kalispell City Council- Ward 1. Prior to Council, board member-Buffalo Hill Golf Course, Advisory Board- Flathead Youth Home. What is your plan to address Kalispell's housing needs as the city’s population grows? Declined to answer What is your vision for the future of Kalispell’s Main Street? Declined to answer What attributes are you looking for in a new city manager? Declined to answer Why are you the right candidate? After almost 12 years of serving on Council representing Ward 1, I feel I have proven myself to my constituents and to the citizens of Kalispell. There have been several contentious issues over the past few years. I know at times my votes were not very popular to some. That being said, I listened to both sides of the issue, and then voted with heartfelt common sense, hoping that my vote would be in the best interest of the city. Over the years, I’ve received hate mail and at the same time, letters of gratitude and support. I know we will all never agree on everything, especially in the atmosphere in which we are living. However, I continue to have high hopes for the future of Kalispell in housing, education and growth. I thank you for your consideration and hope for your vote. Wes Walker Age: 45 Family: I’m married and we have an 8-and-a-half-year-old daughter. Occupation: I have a master’s in information security engineering and work as a cyber security analyst for a large corporation. Community service: I do some volunteering for my daughter’s school, but I feel that I could best serve my community by serving on Council. What is your plan to address Kalispell's housing needs as the city’s population grows? I support creating a housing plan so that we can properly plan and accommodate our future growth. We need to limit our urban sprawl by building more ‘up’ than ‘out.’ We have large areas inside our city limits that haven’t been developed, and we should prioritize infilling those areas before we expand our city limits further. The best way to preserve our immense natural beauty is not to use it. I also think people should have more freedom to develop their own property the way they want. We should allow neighborhoods to evolve naturally and slowly. When we allow our citizens to use their creativity, we get economic vitality and resiliency. What is your vision for the future of Kalispell’s Main Street? I envision our Main Street to be the destination for all people in the valley. I want it to be an inviting place for people of all ages. A place you go to spend not just your money, but your time as well. Unfortunately, I think most would agree that it is not that place now. I think the downtown plan would have gone a long way towards achieving those goals by reducing the amount of through traffic that it currently sees. There are also significant infrastructure upgrades that need to take place in order for Main Street to reach its potential. Those upgrades must be addressed, and developer impact fees could contribute to that effort. What attributes are you looking for in a new city manager? The search for our new city manager is a major decision for the city. First and foremost, it should go without saying, but I want the new manager to be intelligent and capable with solid educational fundamentals. They should be intimately familiar with small towns, and preferably Montana or other Western towns. It would also be highly preferred that they live in the city. It can be hard to understand a city if you are removed from it. The new manager also needs to be able to work with both our Council and staff to achieve our common goals. The manager should be striving to bring both sides together to find solutions. Why are you the right candidate? I want to serve my community. We’ve been welcomed here by everyone, and we are so grateful to have found such a wonderful place to call home that I feel it’s the least I can do to try and give something back. I see such potential here, and I want to work to help make it real. I’ve spent the last 10 years reading and studying urban planning as a hobby, and I can’t help but see small improvements everywhere. I want to help make Kalispell a place where my daughter, or anyone else, can safely walk to the corner store. And continue to be a place where she is proud to live. WARD 2 Name: Lisa Blank Age: 61 Family: As empty nesters, our young adult children are building their own lives in cities across Montana. With this new chapter, I’ve found more time to give back to community. To me, family is rooted in care, connection, and shared responsibility, whether through relatives or the kind of neighbors and friends who lend a hand when you need it. This spirit of mutual support has shaped my values and deepened my commitment to public service. Occupation: Executive director, workforce development, Flathead Valley Community College Community service: Board member, Montana West Economic Development, citizen science volunteer for the Northwest Montana Lakes Network and Glacier National Park What is your plan to address Kalispell's housing needs as the city’s population grows? Addressing Kalispell’s housing needs requires more than a single plan or individual leading the way; it will take all of us, working together with a range of strategies and strong partnerships. My approach supports housing options across income levels, reduced barriers to infill and mixed-use development, and public-private partnerships to deliver workforce housing. Key tools include zoning reforms to allow for accessory dwelling units, targeted incentives like tax credits and expedited permitting, and building near existing infrastructure to reduce costs. Creative financing mechanisms are also essential to ensure housing is not just available, but truly accessible. Just as important as building new homes is maintaining the affordable housing we already have. By fostering diverse, walkable neighborhoods that support both economic opportunity and strong community ties, we help Kalispell grow in a way that feels connected, grounded and built to last. What is your vision for the future of Kalispell’s Main Street? As Kalispell grows, preserving the unique character of our historic downtown, as a community gathering place and hub for local business, is essential to keeping the heart of Kalispell strong. I support key parts of the Main Street Safety Action Plan to revitalize downtown by improving infrastructure, supporting small businesses, and making the area safer and easier to navigate — whether walking, biking, using a wheelchair, or pushing a stroller. Wider sidewalks and landscaping will improve safety and encourage more foot traffic, outdoor dining and retail activity. Clear signage can reroute truck and through-traffic away from the downtown core. I understand concerns about parking and support exploring a well-designed structure that fits the look and feel of Main Street. With features like ground-floor retail, visitor center, or bike rentals, it can be a real asset. I’m committed to minimizing construction impacts through revenue loss offsets, keeping downtown businesses open and thriving. What attributes are you looking for in a new city manager? The city manager plays a vital role in shaping Kalispell’s growth, delivering effective services and preserving the quality of life that draws people here. To lead well, the city manager must understand our community, which is why I believe they should live in Kalispell. It’s hard to lead a city you don’t call home. As one of the fastest growing micropolitan areas in the country, Kalispell needs a city manager with experience navigating growth and infrastructure challenges, a strong track record in community engagement and interagency collaboration, and the financial expertise to move key projects forward without placing additional burdens on taxpayers. Why are you the right candidate? I have spent my career working across science, education and economic development —from mitigating Superfund sites as an environmental scientist, to teaching high school science, to serving as a professor and dean in career and technical education. Most recently, I’ve led regional STEM and workforce development initiatives, building bridges between education, industry and community. Every role I’ve held has been rooted in the same goal: making everyday life better by helping people access opportunities, solve challenges and strengthen the places they call home. I’m the right candidate because I bring experience, a strong work ethic, commitment and a career spent solving complex problems. I’ve worked across sectors to bring people together and get things done. I’ve built my career by listening to the people closest to the work — because that’s where real solutions begin. WARD 3 Kyle Waterman Age: 50 Family: Kyle’s mother was Mignon Waterman, who served on the Helena School Board and as a Montana state senator. Her priorities were education, mental health parity and equity. Kyle’s grandmother, Mable Redfield, was the oldest elected City Council member in the neighboring small town of Boulder, Montana. Kyle credits his mom and grandmother as his inspiration for public service to Montana. He is a proud husband to Steve Hunnell and son of Ron Waterman. Occupation: Co-owner of Princess & Buck in downtown Kalispell Community service: Kyle Waterman has filed to run for Kalispell City Council to represent his neighbors in Ward 3. Waterman previously served on Council from 2018 to 2022. He was appointed to the Flathead County Health Board in 2019 (to 2022) and served as chair of the Flathead County Transportation Advisory Committee (Mountain Climber) from 2018 to 2022. Currently, board member of Western Montana Mental Health Center and Samaritan House. Past President of Kalispell Daybreak Rotary. What is your plan to address Kalispell's housing needs as the city’s population grows? The free market has to be responsible for addressing affordability because tools like land trust and coal funds are long term strategies but they don’t manage growth. When I look at the growth in the Flathead Valley I ask, “How do we capture growth in town?” I believe it is best for the Flathead Lake and Flathead River if we grow Kalispell up, versus out into fields or across the river. This means we have to make it cost effective to want to live in Kalispell. We do this by continuing to provide superior services, consistent public safety with efficient city staffing. I see our core services as essential investments — this means supporting our Police and Fire departments first. City Council then has to then be strategic with the remaining public dollars allotted. I want to keep Kalispell staffing lean but punching above their weight from City Hall. What is your vision for the future of Kalispell’s Main Street? My vision for Kalispell’s Main Street is a street that you can walk across safely and that motorists can easily navigate. Right now there are a lot of things that make traffic confusing and downtown dangerous. Also we have aging infrastructure issues that we have to address. We have a workable city plan and now we need to invest in it. This begins with front loading costs for infrastructure across Main Street, so that future development can buy into it. We need to develop and identify a funding strategy for historic preservation of downtown buildings — I believe this should be with grants and philanthropy. These buildings won’t save themselves and it would be a tragedy to lose our historic buildings downtown. Their preservation will lead to more visitors and economic vitality. Finally, we have to find a way to keep parades on Main Street and make it safer for bicyclists downtown. What attributes are you looking for in a new city manager? Largely this process will be complete when the new Council is seated. So what I will be doing, regardless of who the new city manager is, I will be treating them with respect and will be working to encourage the public to be respectful too. If we want to have public staff that works innovatively and effectively for Kalispell then the culture change of how to respectfully disagree has to start at the City Council meetings. I hope to work with the new city manager on this. The city of Kalispell is an interlocal leader, not only in the Flathead Valley but also in the state of Montana and I will press on the new city manager to work to keep the character of our town, our beautiful valley and our great community so that it is a place where families and businesses thrive. Why are you the right candidate? My husband always points out that I am fiscally conservative, which really is my best asset for Kalispell in our economy right now. What I bring to City Council is knowing that even adding one more staff member comes with a cost. As Kalispell grows it is important to watch how we spend. I have the experience of how to grow a business — this town has to work the same. Sometimes you have to make sacrifices to invest in an opportunity. I want the city to invest strategically with our public dollars. This means City Council needs to move from being reactionary to being proactive in addressing issues around growth. I don’t want the government to be an HOA telling you what to do in your own yard or business. I am the right candidate because I want the city of Kalispell to work for you. Know your Kyle. WARD 4 Jed Stuart Fisher (I) Age: 61 Family: Wife, Chris; son, Roman, 35; daughter, Meaghan, 25 Occupation: Retired former Flathead County Weed, Parks, Recreation, Building Maintenance, Mosquito director Community service: Former board member of the Nurturing Center of Kalispell, volunteered for Special Olympics, founding board member of North America Weed Management Association What is your plan to address Kalispell's housing needs as the city’s population grows? While on Council, I have supported several new developments in addition to some apartment complexes. Studies show we need 15,000 new homes to keep up with our growing population. I will support well planned start-ups when they fit in with the existing neighborhood. We must continue to listen to longtime homeowners who have valid safety and traffic concerns. We must not arbitrarily approve everything! My voting record will show that as a Council member, I vote no when neighborhood safety concerns are overwhelmingly in our public comment (for example, Tronstad and North Meadows). I for one do not believe all of the burden of growth needs to be the responsibility of the city of Kalispell and our citizens. Columbia Falls and Whitefish should welcome more valley growth. Yes, we have been discovered but currently Kalispell's infrastructure is on sheer overload. I will continue to support keeping city fees and charges affordable because any municipal increase of fees is of course only a cost that is passed on to the homebuyer. As I stated the first time I ran for Council, we must engage more with neighborhoods being directly affected by growth. And I do actually listen to them and their concerns and will continue to do so when reelected. What is your vision for the future of Kalispell’s Main Street? Frankly, overall, I like Kalispell’s Main Street. As do many citizens that I represent. Yes, there are always safety concerns that can be addressed but our residents spoke out loud and clear with the latest proposed changes and I listened to them. This is our main job on Council. To listen to those who elect us. In addition I felt my "no" vote in applying for $28 million in grants to implement the Main Street change was warranted as it would have been devastating to the downtown business community. This reconstruction could have taken up to two years. Furthermore, I was concerned with traffic flow if Main Street were to be changed. First Avenue West and First Avenue East would have become secondary highways. We must remember that Main Street is still part of U.S. 93. The purpose of a highway is to move traffic. All of this said, I wish the grant money (which is still taxpayer money) could have been used for parking garages, but it was not allowed to be used in that manner. This project will resurface. I strongly suggest the hundreds of people that Council heard from stay engaged. What attributes are you looking for in a new city manager? Very simple: A hard working, honest individual with solid previous experience in a city with similar population and needs. The Kalispell city manager is paid a significant wage and his or her abilities must meet that high level of compensation. As with Council and a new mayor, the newly hired manager must put our taxpayers’ concerns at the forefront. Lastly, I am not looking for a manager that is only looking to build their career. Why are you the right candidate? I am a lifelong Montanan, born and raised on our family farm in Conrad. I have lived in the Flathead Valley for over 36 years. I have been a Kalispell resident, homeowner and taxpayer for 23 years. In my 39 years of government service I was a department head and manager who was entrusted to merge departments and build the most efficient and effective programs possible. Over the years, I have done this with the Weeds Department, Parks and Recreation Department, Building Maintenance and mosquito control programs. I now have had the honor of serving on the City Council for the last four years, serving the residents of Kalispell. My best quality is that I listen to who pays the bills, our citizens. I will always fight for Kalispell values. Bruce Guthrie Age: 61 Family: Single Occupation: Retired teacher Community service: Kalispell Historic Walking Tours; co-producer of annual Martin Luther King event What is your plan to address Kalispell's housing needs as the city’s population grows? Historically, housing was diverse and concentrated in the city with “sprawl” limited to farmsteads and ranching. With the advent of modern life, commuting by car has made it possible to live further from the city and still have all the advantages of city life. With the current needs for housing, it is a good time to look at opportunities close to the city core to build diverse dwellings that can serve different needs and budgets. Housing developments of any kind should be guided towards designs that emphasize efficiency of movement with safe pedestrian and bike travel, access to needed commercial opportunities and well-designed roads. It is incumbent on the Council to seek out expert opinions, multiple viewpoints, and be mindful of integrated growth plans before approving new additions to the city. What is your vision for the future of Kalispell’s Main Street? Historic downtown is a valuable resource. Early residents created a legacy of unique architecture that can never be replaced and still delights today. Every effort should be made to maintain these buildings and bring them up to code by cooperating with business owners and looking for available grants for historic preservation. If U.S. 93 could be designated “Historic Route 93” while the current bypass becomes the designated highway, it could open opportunities to make downtown Kalispell a Mecca of locally owned shops, restaurants and services that could serve as an economic engine for the community. Residential locations above the commercial locations on Main Street are an old practice with excellent results when they are maintained in our modern era. High density housing near the downtown can also be a boon to the community as well as provide an option for in-town living that many residents desire. What attributes are you looking for in a new city manager? I would like to have a city manager who knows how to make a budget work and can be an excellent steward of the people’s funds while facilitating city services and amenities to deliver the best quality of life we can afford as a community. Being an approachable figure who is an effective communicator will be essential to the task. I would also like to have someone who understands Kalispell’s unique place in Montana’s history and knows how to cooperate with groups in the community to enrich civic engagement and ongoing traditions. Why are you the right candidate? My interest in Kalispell’s history made me think more about how our community can move forward while maintaining and recreating those qualities that have made this a place that people love to live in. I would be a champion of preserving Kalispell’s historic nature with downtown improvements that will make it vibrant and prosperous for decades to come. I hope to be instrumental in improving the role of City Council as a hub that brought together public and private community groups and helped everyone coordinate their efforts together. I want to be a part of bringing Kalispell back to being a place where young people looked forward to returning to after their adventures in the wider world and can afford a place to live and a quality of life that leaves nothing to be desired.
