My name is Bill Kahle and I am running for the Whitefish City Council. I am joining this race because I have a desire to serve and to give back to this special community. I have loved Whitefish since first coming here 20 years ago. So much so that my wife and I moved here in 1992.

Although we moved away for several years, we decided Whitefish was the place we wanted to raise our family. During my time here, I have been amazed at the talents and commitment of our friends and neighbors and the many unsung participants in this town.

These same community members have united together to produce The Wave, the Whitefish Performing Arts Center, the Whitefish Library, the O'Shaughnessy, the Stumptown Ice Den, the Stumptown Historical Society and the kinds of businesses and opportunities that we should never take for granted. It's the example of this commitment that I hope to replicate and emulate on the Whitefish City Council.

My background in business and as an environmentally-committed real estate developer has given me a set of skills and talents I believe can help preserve the qualities of Whitefish we all cherish. I am committed to help foster the opportunities we need to ensure our continued vitality and success as a community. And, as the father of four young boys, I bring a passion for the future of Whitefish that will enhance my decisions as a member of the Whitefish City Council.

Fiscal responsibility, regulatory clarity and our interactions with our neighbors in Flathead County and nearby cities are also top priorities for me. In times like these, our community needs to quickly understand and adjust to the new economic realities or face potentially dangerous consequences. In a time like this, simply doing what we've done may not be enough.

The citizens of Whitefish should consider expanding our economic base to ensure the right kind of jobs are brought to our community. An advocate at the council level would be an invaluable liaison between our town and businesses that would like to call Whitefish home. My experience in business has taught me that innovation, adaptation, and negotiation are not just concepts; they are practices that make or break the success of any enterprise.

I encourage you to e-mail me with your thoughts about how to improve or sustain Whitefish — your insight is enormously important to me. My e-mail address is [email protected].

Our remarkable town is facing challenges that many small towns have faced before. Our commitment to face these challenges will determine its future and, as a result, the future of our children and grandchildren. The Whitefish City Council must continue reflect our values, our vitality and our spirit. I believe I possess these qualities, and I ask for your support and your vote this November.

Bill Kahle lives in Whitefish.