Councilors shouldn't accept developer campaign contributions

Two Whitefish City Council members accept campaign contributions from a developer. They then vote to approve the development projects. We need to protect and ensure the integrity and transparency of campaigns, politics and government in Montana.

Councilman Steve Qunell accepted a campaign donation from developer Ben Davis in August 2023. As chairman of Whitefish Planning Board, Qunell voted “in favor” of Davis’ Edgewood Place development application. In addition, Councilman Frank Sweeney also accepted a campaign donation from developer Davis, then voted “in favor” of the Edgewood Place development and zoning change application at the council meeting on Nov. 6, 2023. Qunell also voted at the Nov. 6 meeting on the Edgewood Place project.

Due to their conflict of interest in accepting the donations, these Council members needed to recuse themselves from voting in these situations. The campaign donations are available to view on the Montana Department of Political Practices website. At the Nov. 20, 2023 council meeting, information on these donations was brought to public attention. I believe Sweeney and Qunell have violated sections 3 and 6 of the Whitefish Ethics and Conflict of Interest Policy. This is beyond wrong! These two incumbents were voted into office for another four years. Formal complaints should be sent to Mayor Mulfeld and City Attorney Angela Jacobs.

Melinda Kartsonis, Whitefish