Flathead County doesn't need a 'Whitefish Wannabe'

Allow me to introduce Democrat Stacey Schnebel, the Whitefish Wannabe candidate for County Commissioner.

In the few weeks that Democrat Schnebel has been campaigning, it’s become clear that after years of being sued by the city of Whitefish regarding representation for we doughnut residents, Democrat Schnebel is running for county commission to extend Whitefish’s approach to government across Flathead County.

How do we know this?  

“(S)he would have perhaps contract(ed) with a Whitefish planner to … administer (the doughnut) while the county goes through the planning process.”

“I do favor Whitefish’s proposal for a City-County Lakeshore Protection Committee.”

“(C)ounty leaders will need to do the work of repairing and rebuilding the relationship between the county and the city of Whitefish.”

And now we learn that she remained a registered voter in Whitefish for five years after moving to Coram. She even voted on the referendum where Whitefish attempted to deny forever fair representation for the doughnut!

As someone who’s been deeply involved in the county’s fight for the doughnut residents, I find all this pretty scary.   

By the way, the above quotes were taken directly from recent press interviews and in response to Republican candidate Phil Mitchell’s request to her for more information about her stands on certain issues.

Good thing Phil asked because now we know — Democrat Schnebel believes the government that governs most, governs best.

Over the past several years, Whitefish has extended its property regulations beyond common sense and into every corner of its resident’s property and lives. Whitefish oversees everything from “aesthetics” to the type of light bulbs its residents can use. 

With regulatory overkill like that, it’s not a surprise that businesses are reluctant to locate there and population growth has stalled.

But, maybe that’s what happens when Missoula and Aspen are your role models for effective government. 

Republican Phil Mitchell fought against the Whitefish City Council on behalf of us doughnut residents and, if he’s elected county commissioner, he’ll continue to fight for all of Flathead’s residents.  He’s not interested in turning Flathead County into Aspen or anywhere else. He’s just interested in a strong economy, common sense regulations, and a bright growing future for Flathead’s middle-class.

Flathead County doesn’t need a Whitefish Wannabe candidate.  Whitefish is great, but it’s no more special than Bigfork, Columbia Falls, Creston, Evergreen, Kalispell, or any of the other great places in a county with 57 lakes, thousands of acres of recreation lands, and lots of hardworking people.

Please support Phil Mitchell for County Commissioner; he’ll keep Flathead County a terrific place where middle-class folks can raise their families, enjoy their recreation, and build and grow their businesses.  

If Democrat Schnebel is interested in public office, perhaps she should run for Whitefish City Council. After all, she’s been registered to vote there for all but two of her 14 years in Flathead County.    

— Rick Blake