The Discover Kalispell Chamber of Commerce has made the unprecedented move to endorse 2-candidates in the Municipal Elections on November 4th. For Mayor of Kalispell, they’re endorsing the candidacy of Kisa Davison and for City Council Ward 3, Kyle Waterman.
Appearing on the KGEZ Good Morning Show, Discover Kalispell Chamber CEO Lorraine Clarno explains that the Chamber Board feels that this election presents a tipping point for our City. She tells John and Robin that, “We are at point in history that I don’t think is going to repeat itself.” She points out that we’ll have a new Mayor, half of the City Council is up for reelection and, together, they’ll hire a new City Manager.
As for Downtown Kalispell, a coalition of downtown businesses and associations have come together to build-out a Downtown Forward program. Some of the parts of the plan will take upwards of 25-years, but some things can happen within a year or two.
And so, the Chamber began a rigorous procedure that began with written answers to questions from all candidates requesting an endorsement. Keeping in mind that the Chamber represents the businesses of our city, the questions were centered around that. After that, interviews with the candidate endorsement council and finally, their candidate forum last week. From that, a point system determined which candidates would get the Chamber’s endorsement.
The Chamber CEO tells us they don’t plan to make any further endorsements.
