Joseph Biby, Cruising Public Comment, 5-18-26FA
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Today's Daily Inter Lake front page story reads, "Kalispell City Council is
expected to vote Monday on whether to pursue a federal grant to improve
pedestrian safety on Main Street." Changes being considered include
upgrading crosswalks in front of St. Matthew's School, and building two
roundabouts south of the Justice Center. From the Inter Lake, "the city
plans to pursue the maximum request of $25 million." "The grant requires a
20% local match, which the city would cover using tax increment financing
funds." The Safe Streets and Roads for All Implementation grant, a
Department of Transportation program funded by all US taxpayers
suggests that Flathead residents, if willing to chip in an additional $5
million, can plan for a safer main street for all.
Over a year and a half ago in October of 2024, as reported by the Inter
Lake, City Council members addressed a packed house. I was in this room
that night. Many felt strongly that the Kruise Kalispell event contributes to
heavy traffic as well as safety concerns in the city's downtown." On that
evening councilors Sam Nunnally, Sid Daoud, and Jed Fisher not only
punted but were "adamantly opposed" to taking any action to address the
safety concerns. One of those council members, Mr. Sid Daoud, ran for
mayor last fall and was quoted in the Inter Lake, "when local government
isn't executing the will of the people, its elected officials aren't doing their
job." Mr Daoud you are not representing the will of the majority of Flathead
Valley residents. You ran for mayor and you lost decisively. Further from
Mr. Daoud, "With every public safety issue comes a loss of liberty on the
other side." The other side for Daoud, Fisher, and Nunnally was and is
plainly the special liberties of the cruisers. Those cruisers have been telling
the rest of us don't tread on me while I am treading on you. Jed Fisher
added, "I will not be any part of taking this away from our people." And
from Daoud, "I will not violate the rights of our citizens."
Mr. Daoud and Mr. Fisher the majority of us are not your people or your
citizens, you are our city councilors. You are not doing your job.
Tonight I suggest to all Flathead residents that we should not trust these
cruiser -first council members in guiding our community in the decisions that
will address safer streets for Kalispell residents. I suggest that they should
not have any influence in spending our federal and local tax dollars for
these decisions because they have failed to demonstrate competence.
Witness the $140,000 they cost us in the homeless shelter debacle.
Turn these decisions of safety over to the council members like Kyle,
Dustin, and the others who have shown that they are willing to represent all
Flathead residents and put safe streets and roads first. Lastly, let Mayor
Ryan Hunter do his job. Kalispell is extremely fortunate to have him.