Qunell says he brings experience

I am running for City Council because we need experienced leadership in Whitefish so that we continue to grow in a balanced way. As a public school teacher I am the candidate who understands the issues that face the working class, the need to expand and preserve our downtown, and the pressures that growth places on our neighborhoods and our natural resources. I have watched Whitefish change over the last 20 years and I have been a strong advocate for growing in a way that simultaneously respects opportunity, our environment, and our traditions.

We have seen some frustrating changes in Whitefish over the last several years, some of which could have been avoided. These changes were a result of difficult decisions that City Council must routinely make by weighing many complex factors, including what could be done by virtue of the underlying zoning. I have been a part of many of these decisions as chair of the Planning Board and I will always tell you what factored into my decision on any issue because I know how to listen and find a balance that is fair.

Over the past 15 years, I have been involved with several different volunteer boards with the city and with several community-based nonprofits. I know the issues in Whitefish and I know we need someone with my experience on City Council. We need someone who understands where Whitefish has been in order to guide us in the future. We need someone who understands our community and how to align our community’s vision with planning, growth, and development. I have this understanding and that’s why I’m asking for your vote on Nov. 5.

Steve Qunell, Whitefish