WFSA benefits from experienced leadership

This weekend I received a postcard-style election mailer from two candidates for the WFSA Board. If you are a WFSA landowner, you have likely received it. The mailer, supporting Brian Cole and David Ordway, is misleading and raises concerns. It includes inaccuracies and half-truths.
Over the past several years, constituents have consistently supported maintaining the contract with the City of Whitefish for fire and EMS services. The current board has worked to improve funding, equipment, and staffing to strengthen response times and service quality.
The mailer suggests building additional fire halls across the 75–80 square mile service area. With an active contract in place, these would likely sit unused or serve as storage. The proposal appears tied to insurance access or lower premiums, but broad benefit could require 9–10 stations at a cost of $1–5 million each.
The Board has requested a fee increase through County commissioners, which is the established process. The mailer calls this “side-stepping,” which is inaccurate. The Board has also explored transitioning to a fire district, where funding would be based on property value and any increases would require voter approval.
WFSA benefits from experienced leadership. I encourage support for Mark Carlson and Dave Kauffman.

— Dennis Oliver, Whitefish/WFSA Resident