It was the town's sense of community, not its resort status, that drew Doug Wise to Whitefish.

Wise is one of six contenders for three open seats on the Whitefish City Council.

The 66-year-old North Carolina native, who bears a striking resemblance to talk-show host Merv Griffin and worked with Merv Griffin Entertainment, had completed a skydiving stunt for Griffin at a casino grand opening in Mesquite, Nev., in 1995 the day before he flew to Whitefish for a Backroads bicycle trip.

"I stepped off the plane and thought I was in heaven," Wise recalled.

He and his wife immediately bought a home on Birch Point Drive and became part-time residents before moving to Whitefish full time four years ago. Wise has spent those years getting involved in myriad community activities, from the Rotary club to the city Park Board.

Wise sees his business background and 40 years of experience working for small and midsized companies as a major asset in serving on the council. He also touts a positive attitude, an ability to work with others and a deep love of the Whitefish community as strengths he brings to public service.

Critical areas ordinance

Wise said he believes the comprehensive drainage law needs to be changed to foster growth.

"We wanted to slow down growth, but we stopped growth," he said. "It's a combination of the critical areas ordinance and the recession. If we want to grow again, we have to review it."

The "Doughnut"

Cooperation is the elixir that can heal the rift between the city and Flathead County over planning control of the two-mile "doughnut" area, Wise said. He said he believes the City Council should meet with the county commissioners and form a task force of doughnut residents.

"I believe in no legislation without representation," he said. "We're all neighbors. How can a city that's built The Wave, a skatepark, the O'Shaughnessy Center, the library and so on, how can we do all these things? We worked together."

The doughnut has become an emotional issue for both city and noncity residents, Wise said, but he doesn't want people to "go to the emotional extreme" because it's counterproductive.

Budget

The city's transfer of $300,000 from the sewer fund to balance this year's fiscal budget doesn't sit well with Wise.

He also wonders if Whitefish's budget is excessive. At $38 million, it translates into about $6,000 per person for the 6,300 Whitefish city residents. That seems exorbitant, he noted, compared to Kalispell's $42 million budget for more than three times the population.

"That's something I'd look into," he said. "I'd look every day to see if we've tightened the purse strings enough."

City Hall

What's the rush in building a new City Hall, Wise wonders.

"The best thing that's happened is we've slowed down," he said. "I want to listen to what people have to say. We can remain in [the current City Hall] for awhile.

The city of Whitefish has been considering five location options recently because deadlines were looming for offers on a couple of pieces of real estate.

Wise pointed out that the downtown master plan calls for building a new City Hall north of the Whitefish Library. He favors buying the needed land from BNSF Railway Co. and one day, when the time is right, building a park lodge-style building.

Wise said the city needs a clear picture of how much a new facility will cost and how much the tax-increment finance district is expected to generate in revenue.

For now, he favors giving a portion of the tax-increment revenue to the Whitefish School District to reduce a bond issue for high-school improvements.

"The heart of Whitefish is our school system. One of the first things newcomers ask is ‘How are your schools?' No one asks, ‘Where's City Hall?'" he said.

Perception

Wise believes a perceived elitist attitude in Whitefish is hampering business growth.

"I have yet to run into one business person who wants to do business in Whitefish," he said, explaining that excessive permit fees, sign regulations and other laws make it difficult for new businesses.

He said the city needs an ombudsman who could welcome new businesses "with open arms." Another idea he favors is creating a high-tech business campus at the former North Valley Hospital site.

"We need to change our attitude to get the type of businesses here that we want," he added.

Doug Wise

Age: 66

Family: Wife, Bet; one grown stepson

Occupation: Retired senior executive and business owner

Background: Vice president of Whitefish Lake Golf Association; member of Whitefish Parks and Recreation board; member of Hugh Rogers Wag Park board; Whitefish Rotary Sergeant at Arms; member of Whitefish Moose Lodge; degree in business administration and 40 years of business experience; a commissioned U.S. Army artillery officer.

Email: dougwise@aol.com

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