Candidate for City Council Rebecca Norton
The Whitefish Pilot reached out to Whitefish City Council candidates running in the Nov. 7 municipal election. The information below was provided by the candidates and edited for spelling, punctuation and space.
Name: Rebecca Norton
Age: 65
Family: Single
Occupation: Retired from private practice in OT/hand therapy
Community involvement: Whitefish City Councilor, 2000-present, planning board, board of adjustment, chair of Wisconsin Corridor Plan, Local Government Review Commissioner, ethics policy, tree advisory, strategic housing, insurance, ADA compliance, selection committees for viaduct and Spokane water main, endorsed by the Montana Conservation Voters 2020, 2023.
Why are you the right candidate for the position?
I have significant experience and historical knowledge of our town and would like to continue to bring stability and vision through my work on Council. I have concerns about other candidates not being able to set aside their biases if elected. We serve the entire community, not special interests or philosophies. Protecting the public process is an essential part of local democracy.
As the city updates its growth policy, what is your vision for Whitefish’s future?
I hope that as a city we will continue to protect our clean water, clean air and safety for citizens and visitors while solving our housing deficit and enabling valleywide transportation systems. I also hope that we integrate climate solutions quickly, individually and collectively, and remain a model of stewardship. And I hope we maintain a kind regard for all-including the animals who live here too.
What role should the city take in addressing housing?
The Whitefish Manor was built decades ago, and the Whitefish Housing Authority was established in 1967. Our planned unit development process allowed developers to build affordable apartments — we waited 14 years for that to happen. While the city has diligently looked at solutions, we need help from the community to overcome the stiff competition from the free market-land banking, working to build inventory through our land trusts, fundraising for an endowment, and providing incentives for locals to add on to their property. Electing officials who refuse to gut our local solutions would help too. I am hopeful.
How should the city manage public safety needs amid rapid growth?
Our transportation grid along Spokane, Baker, Wisconsin and Edgewood needs to be improved and even though the Montana Department of Transportation has been a willing partner, and has done great work in our town, funding and public resistance to a bypass has now created a crisis. Fire safety is a major priority also. Some problems take years to solve but these are high priorities for the city.
What other issues should the city be addressing?
Tri-city transportation. Housing solutions that don’t harm existing neighborhoods. Wildlife interface. Fire prevention/evacuation training. Food surety. Recycling center. Fixing septic-leachate issues in our lake. Code enforcement. Projects with MDT to stop bottle-necks. Projects with county, and other cities to deal with unhoused human beings. Building community values and stewardship. Protecting the public process. Civil rights. Harmonizing discourse. Celebrating-hopefully often. (I am always aware of the legacy that was left by the visionaries and heroes who stood up to lead the way — very humbling). Thanks to all who participate in this beautiful concept of self-governance.