Mary Vail says her focus for improving Whitefish begins with finding ways for families to flourish.

"Whitefish is a great family community," she said. "That's why I live here ... families need good schools and jobs to support them. That's why I'm running for City Council."

Vail is the lone woman among six candidates for three open seats on the Whitefish City Council. She is a business owner, a substitute teacher and active community volunteer in Whitefish.

Her work on the board for the newly established Whitefish Community Library actually was a deciding factor in choosing to run for a council seat, she said.

"It feels really good to give back to the community I love to live in," she said.

Critical areas ordinance

Vail said she believes the comprehensive ordinance needs to be simplified "so that everyone knows exactly what the rules are."

As a member of the design review committee for the Creekwood subdivision where she and her family live, she said she has seen firsthand how complicated the critical areas ordinance is. Vail cited a recent example where a property owner building a house in Creekwood was "given two different scenarios on the same lot" regarding a pond that pooled near the home in the spring months.

Vail believes the complicated law has affected real estate sales in Whitefish.

"If there are no clear answers, people won't buy if they're hesitant," she said.

The "doughnut"

Vail doesn't support the upcoming referendum to repeal the 2010 revised interlocal agreement for Whitefish's two-mile planning "doughnut."

"The city is voting for the county people," she said. "No one has asked them [doughnut residents] what they want."

It would be a shame if the referendum passes, Vail added, because many people worked hard to get the 2010 agreement that was viewed as a compromise. Vail maintains the 2010 agreement was workable and that both the city and county were moving forward.

City Hall

There's no rush to make a decision on a new City Hall, Vail said, because the city's tax increment finance district doesn't end until 2020. For now, she'd like to see a portion of the tax increment revenue go to the Whitefish School District to improve the high school.

"If Kalispell was able to use TIF money" to make safety improvements at Flathead High School, then Whitefish should be able to do the same, she said. She pointed to reports that have shown the ventilation, electrical and heating systems at Whitefish High School all need repairs.

"We need to make sure our children are getting the best education possible in the safest environment," she commented.

Vail is pleased the current council decided to slow down the City Hall site selection process and schedule a public forum on Oct. 19.

"It's important for me to know what people want and how much they want to pay," Vail said. "We don't need to pay for a consultant to tell us what to do."

Budget

Vail is among those candidates who have questioned the city's transfer of $300,000 out of the sewer fund to balance the fiscal 2012 budget.

"Personally I don't think that means you're balanced," she said. "It's borrowing from Peter to pay Paul."

She believes the council needs to scrutinize spending more carefully, and making budget documents more clear and easy to read would help.

Vail doesn't want to see property taxes increase.

Perception

Vail doesn't like the label of Whitefish as an elite resort community. Even the city website declares Whitefish is a "rapidly growing resort/retirement community," she said, adding that families have to be at the heart of the town.

"I want our kids to have job opportunities in Whitefish so they can raise their own families in this incredible place we call home," she said.

Mary Vail

Age: 52

Family: Husband, John; four grown children

Occupation: Owner of Winsome Fragrance

Background: Graduate of University of California Bakersfield with degree in liberal studies, minor in business; Whitefish Community Library board member; Creekwood Homeowners Association board member; volunteer for Whitefish Theatre Company, Alpine Theatre Project and Glacier Symphony & Chorale; substitute teacher, former travel operations supervisor for Walt Disney Studios; former travel consultant. Has lived permanently in Whitefish since 2004; has owned property for 15 years.

Email: maryvail4whitefish@gmail.com

Website: maryvail4whitefish.com

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com