Kate McAlister

Background

Profession: President/CEO Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce

Educational background: Boston College, Caroll School of Business – Corporate Social Responsibility, various courses from University of Utah, Whitworth University, Idaho State University

How many years as a Bonner County resident: 30

Marital status: married 29 years

Family: Four children, eight grandchildren

Questions

1. To continue with the infrastructure improvements currently budgeted - there are 32 infrastructure projects in the works totaling $22.5 million, which is almost half of the total budget. Involve citizens from the beginning of a project. Institute quarterly town hall meetings along with possibly re-instituting citizen committees. Continue exploring options, including a Housing Authority, and opportunities for the needed workforce housing in our area. Look for collaboration opportunities with other organizations and entities to help find a solution for all facets of our housing issues.
2. Infrastructure improvements. Citizen involvement. Workforce housing.
3. Infrastructure – drinkable water, flushable toilet, drivable streets • The city recently purchased back-up generators at the water treatment plant. • $2.7 million budgeted for treatment plant reconstruction. Initial phase to start next year. • Increased bed tax, applying to visitors only. Increased streets budget from $250k to $1 million per year. Over $2 million in street projects to be completed. Involve citizens from the beginning of projects. Institute monthly community conversations, topic specific, along with re-instituting citizen committees, as needed. Continue exploring options, including a Housing Authority, and opportunities for the needed workforce housing in our area.
4. Listen to citizens and involve them from the beginning of a project. Continue with current newspaper, social media and website updates. Everyone can have the Council meeting agendas emailed to them to give them information as to what is coming up. Institute monthly community conversations – topic specific, to listen and inform as to what is coming up and how citizens can be involved. Look into re-instituting citizen committees, as needed. Have an open door policy so citizens can come to city hall and have a conversation.
5. I feel we have gotten off track. We still have a strong mayor form of government – basically the mayor is the CEO and the City Administrator is the Operations Manager. I believe it is the Mayor’s responsibility to be the face of the community, speak on the community’s behalf, make the hard decisions and be out among the citizens, whether for city business, events or just casually. This is the missing piece. As the Mayor, EVERYTHING is your job. I will be involved, just as I have been for all 30 years I have lived here.
6. How to balance the needs of the residents who live here with the rapid growth and development pressures changing Sandpoint. The issue can be addressed by engaging citizens in authentic planning efforts, then making decisions based on what is in the best interest of people who reside here. While continuing to have open houses, workshops and surveys. Citizens asked the council and Mayor years ago to be data driven and we have adhered to this request, requiring solid data and reports from our educated and knowledgeable staff as well as those with years of experience and expertise in specific topics.
7. The fact that many of the improvements Sandpoint envisions in our downtown core are about basic infrastructure that will improve economic vitality and quality of life, not just make Sandpoint more attractive to tourists. Park improvements will also improve stormwater treatment; pedestrian improvements will stimulate local businesses. New design guidelines will assure future development reflects the character of Sandpoint’s historic buildings.
8. I believe tensions can be relieved through more effective communication with all residents. This could occur via monthly community conversations – topic specific, public forums in print, or in person, and through individual conversations. citizens are feeling the anxiety and pressures of seemingly endless growth and development.
9. I appreciate all the non-profits, they make me feel connected to the area. We have over 150 active non-profits, all providing needed services to our community. In my 30 years I have immensely enjoyed participating in many events and I look forward to continuing to do so for many years. Also, live performances – theater and music. It brings us all together to enjoy local talent and helps us forget about the stress and strain of life for a bit.
10. Read – I’m a proud nerd. I like being in the ‘know’ on just about everything and sitting down with a great novel on a winter day. I volunteer a lot of my time, helping others gives me great joy. I don’t have money, so I give my time. I also love the theater and when I have time I participate in live theater taking on many roles and helping local theater groups and playwrights.
11. I am very dialectic in my thought process and all sides of an issue have validity. It’s bringing all the information together and making the best decision for the entire community and its future. I am never opposed to changing my mind, if the situation warrants. There have been several zoning issues that came to City Council and upon hearing testimony and learning more facts, I changed my mind. One was a variance issue and one was a set back issue.
12. My children. I was a young single mom for many years and worked two, and sometimes three jobs just to make ends meet. There were times I wanted to give up but I couldn’t because I needed to be a role model for my children as to when life knocks you down, get up and keep going. They are all amazing successful human beings and are raising magnificent children of their own. I am so proud of them.
13. Integrity – do the right things for the right reasons and treat everyone fairly, not just a few.
14. What is the benefit to you running for mayor? For me, it’s about community. It’s about living in a town where you walk down the street and everyone says hello. It’s about all of us, face to face, having conversations. The benefit should be to the community not the individual.
15. 9,417. This is the approximate number of our current population. We’re experiencing huge growth, and while it brings some benefits it also poses serious challenges. I believe I can help our community meet those challenges and not become a haven for wild development. I believe in responsible development I believe running for a non-partisan position is a privilege – a privilege in the sense of having the honor of representing all of the community members.  We ARE a great community and I will do everything I can to keep us great. It starts, and ends, being fair to all our citizens.