Disconnected from reality

We get constant reminders about the Whitefish City Council’s disconnect from economic reality.

Recently councilor John Anderson voted against lowering the $6,443 impact fee for new homes, even though a committee had recommended cutting the fee. Mr. Anderson said he paid this fee to build his new house because, he said, “I like being in Whitefish.”

Of course, it may be easy for a Kalispell lawyer like Mr. Anderson to afford nearly $6,500 in impact fees to build his house. But for most folks in Whitefish, that’s a lot of money.

These same councilors who refuse to lower building costs in Whitefish bemoan the lack of affordable housing. Only a Whitefish-way politician could fail to see the obvious connection.

— Bob McConnell