Voters will select three Whitefish City Councilors at the November election. 

Andy Feury

Andy Feury, 67, is married to Terri. He works in the wood products manufacturing industry and manages agriculture at his fourth-generation farms in North Dakota and Montana. 

1. What is your strategy to address Whitefish's housing needs? 

Addressing Whitefish’s housing needs has been an evolving process for over 25 years. We have learned that funding is needed to support any long-term housing strategy. Now that we are able to budget 4 mils from the general fund and 10% of the 3% resort tax collections, which combined total around $1 million annually, we have a stable on going source of revenue. Revenue to support rental assistance programs, development projects, and ground leases with our nonprofit partners, Housing Whitefish, Northwest Montana community Land Trust, and the Whitefish Housing Authority. Zoning code modifications can help reduce building costs. Density, minimum lot sizes, setbacks and other changes are being considered as part of our Growth Policy update. The approach however, unlike the State’s top-down mandates of one size fits all, should be with sensitivity to the character of neighborhoods and the investment, and quiet enjoyment homeowners currently have the benefits of.  

2. How can the city collaborate with the county as Whitefish grows?  

Collaboration with the County in the recent past has been difficult. The problems began in the early 2000’s with their decision to leave the Flathead Regional Development partnership. FRDO was at the forefront of regional planning; a partnership comprised of the three cities and the county to plan our growth collectively. During that time all four governments would meet together at least three times per year in what became known as the Fifth Monday meeting. I feel a starting point would be to reestablish the Fifth Monday meeting at least once per year. It would allow for an open exchange of ideas and hopefully remind us that neither the cities nor the county operate in a vacuum and cooperatively we can more efficiently serve all residents.  

3. What are your priorities for economic development in the downtown area and on U.S. 93? 

I am and always have been committed to economic development that serves our present community first but also accommodates responsible growth. It is important that we look at our economy as a whole and stop differentiating between the downtown, WB3 zone, and the Highway 93 corridor, WB2 zone. We are one economy not two. Identification of suitable locations for commercial development, zoning code revisions that provide greater flexibility for businesses, continued efforts to address the supply and affordability of housing are all key elements to broadening our economic base. Whitefish has been known as the “Holiday Village” for more than 80 years and visitation will continue to be a vital part of not only our economy, but all of Montana as well. As we look to the future there are no short-term easy solutions for planning how we grow. We should remain flexible in our approach and consider all of our citizens’ views.  

4. What public amenities would you like to see improved or added to Whitefish?

Whitefish truly has the best public amenities in a community of our size, anywhere. They are the result of a community pulling together with public and private partnerships and countless volunteer hours to build public facilities that are for us. The list is long and serves many diverse interests in our city. Some are one-time projects while others are ongoing -- for example, the bike and pedestrian trail system. Its continued growth provides not only greater recreational opportunities but also safe, non-vehicular transportation options. Additionally, I would like to see the South entrance to town become more of a gateway into the city with the installation of medians and aesthetic improvements.

5. How can the City Council ensure it is representing the whole community? 

Whitefish city government has always, and continues to provide, as many opportunities for public involvement as possible. Citizens can attend any of our many public hearings, serve on any one of our many committees and our city staff is always available to answer questions and/or address concerns. That said there will always be times when people feel they are not being heard despite our best efforts to weigh everyone’s opinions and concerns. That is why city staff and the Council always strive to inform, listen to and engage as many people in the community as we can. 

Giuseppe “GMan” Caltabiano

Giuseppe “GMan” Caltabiano, 64, is married to Roxanne “Roxy” Ross. He has three children and four grandchildren and is Chief Pilot at Mission Mountain Flying Services and Director of Operations at Altitude Aviation Academy. 

1. What is your strategy to address Whitefish’s housing needs? 

We must balance growth with community character. I supported accessory dwelling unit (ADU) reforms to expand affordable options and reduce unnecessary parking requirements to lower costs. My strategy is to continue removing regulatory barriers that prevent smaller, more attainable housing from being built while ensuring infrastructure keeps pace. Partnering with nonprofits and developers who share our community values will allow us to create long-term housing solutions for residents, not just seasonal demand.

2. How can the city collaborate with the county as Whitefish grows? 

Growth doesn’t stop at city limits, so collaboration with the county is essential. We should coordinate land-use planning, road and traffic improvements, and wildfire preparedness. Joint planning will help prevent sprawl and protect open space while supporting sensible development. I believe in a regional approach to housing and infrastructure that respects both county residents and Whitefish citizens, making sure decisions benefit the whole valley, not just one jurisdiction. 

3. What are your priorities for economic development in the downtown area and on U.S. 93? 

Downtown should remain vibrant, walkable, and locally focused. I support pedestrian-friendly initiatives such as weekend car-free zones to encourage commerce and community gathering. Along U.S. 93, we need smart development that avoids strip sprawl and instead encourages well-designed mixed-use projects. Infrastructure and traffic solutions -- like paid non-resident parking to fund improvements -- are part of sustainable economic growth. My priority is keeping Whitefish’s charm while ensuring our economy thrives for businesses and residents. 

4. What public amenities would you like to see improved or added to Whitefish? 

We should continue investing in parks, pathways, and recreational amenities that make Whitefish unique and protecting our lake. I would like to see expanded trails connecting neighborhoods, safe bike/pedestrian routes along U.S. 93, and better parking management downtown. Public amenities should enhance quality of life for residents first, while also supporting tourism. Thoughtful improvements can build community, reduce traffic stress, and preserve the Whitefish lifestyle we all value. 

5. How can the City Council ensure it is representing the whole community? 

By listening first. For the past four years, I’ve held open “office hours” every Monday, meeting one-on-one with hundreds of residents and business owners. These conversations have been invaluable in understanding diverse perspectives and needs across Whitefish. Council must create space for all voices -- year-round residents, small business owners, families, workers, and retirees. My approach is to weigh every decision by asking: does it serve the long-term good of our community? Transparency, respect for staff expertise, and resisting special-interest pressure are key. I believe in open communication, public engagement, and policies that protect Whitefish’s character while addressing real needs. Council should represent the whole community, not just the loudest voices in the room. 

Ben Davis 

Ben Davis, 43, is married with one child. He is the owner of Seven Hills Construction.  

1. What is your strategy to address Whitefish's housing needs? 

First, the city needs to continue evolving its zoning code to allow for more and better housing to be built. Many reforms have been made, but more are needed. We need to build enough housing for those who are moving here, but the growth must make sense and be compatible with our community. The city should seriously consider character-based zoning codes (aka “form-based zoning”), to allow for more creative designs that better integrate with neighborhoods. The ongoing Growth Policy update is a critical element to achieve this. 

Secondly, the city needs to support the nonprofits who are filling housing gaps that the private sector can’t produce on its own. I have been an advocate and leader on housing issues for over a decade, since well before I joined the City Council, and it remains a top priority issue for me. 

2. How can the city collaborate with the county as Whitefish grows? 

The city should find common ground where possible. Key areas to focus on include wildfire preparedness, lake and river protection, mass transit solutions, event management, and how to have the right growth patterns in cities and counties. We may not see everything the same as the county commission, but if there are opportunities for dialog we should pursue them. Residents just outside city limits, while they may not be voting in this election, should continue to feel welcome to participate in our local government. 

3. What are your priorities for economic development in the downtown area and on U.S. 93? 

I see our downtown core, with its diversity of restaurants, bars, and retail, as a key amenity of our town which has been nurtured over many decades. My vision includes continuing to expand walkability, no formula retail or box stores, and steering the business mix towards those which keep it the fun and desirable place it is today. You’ll see me downtown a lot – please say hi! Highway 93 supports a different set of needs and businesses. I would like to see better development standards to keep it more “Whitefish,” and the safety of left turns is a serious concern we need to work with MDT on. I am against expansion of corporate/formula businesses, box stores, and sprawl here too. Highway 93 should not grow into the Hutton Ranch of the north. We should embrace opportunities for development of more and better paying jobs outside of the service industry. We need to support our small and local businesses; they are the lifeblood of our town. 

4. What public amenities would you like to see improved or added to Whitefish? 

I would like to see recycling services brought back to town. We have a wonderful trail system, but we need to connect some of the missing links such as north of Veterans Bridge and along the south side of Whitefish River. Prioritizing walkability in future development is important. Road quality is always something I pay attention to, wasn’t the asphalt overlay on East Second Street nice? Reconstruction of Karrow, Edgewood? More of those, please. 

I will continue to be a strong advocate for our parks – City Beach, Armory, Smith Fields, Riverside, and others are key amenities that are an important part of our quality of life. I have been an ardent supporter of getting more funding for these parks and paths, including the Whitefish Trail. We also need to protect the quality of water in Whitefish Lake, which we drink from. 

5. How can the City Council ensure it is representing the whole community? 

My philosophy for the job is something like this. I see my job on City Council as supporting the strong community of full-time residents who make the town what it is, all of them. Keep state, national, and partisan politics out of our local government – we are neighbors making decisions with neighbors, the way it should be. I bristle at outsized influences of any particular group, money, or interest. I am a strong believer in thoughtful, pragmatic decision making. Listening and getting to know the residents of our town and supporting their participation in the governance process. You have my promise that I will always do what I believe is right, and what I believe is best for you and for the entirety of this wonderful community. 

Nathan Dugan

Nathan Dugan, 35, lives with his partner, Mallory, three dogs and two cats. He is the Executive Director of Livable Flathead and a home health physical therapist. 

1. What is your strategy to address Whitefish's housing needs?  

Whitefish's zoning code is fundamentally broken and not designed to meet our community's housing needs. We need to build an estimated 930 more homes by 2035, with most of those being for people making 100% of the area median income ($88,400) and below, particularly renters. Our current zoning code incentivizes scraping a small, old home from a lot and replacing it with a 5,000 square foot McMansion or replacing it with a duplex that is 3,000 square feet on each side. These types of homes will not meet the needs of workers, locals, or seniors in Whitefish. We need a modern zoning code that incentivizes building more homes, especially smaller starter homes within our existing city boundaries, both for ownership and for rent. This is the most important issue for the next city council, who will adopt a new land use plan and new zoning to meet these housing needs.  

2. How can the city collaborate with the county as Whitefish grows? 

City officials need to transcend partisan politics to effectively work with the county. While some resentment may be justified based on past actions, being unable to find common ground to work through shared concerns because of this is unacceptable and harms all of us. At the most basic level, city officials can collaborate with county officials by taking the time to develop personal relationships to identify these shared concerns. As a past appointee to the Housing Task Force by Governor Gianforte and a founder of an organization that has done legislative work at the state level, I've proven that I'm able to form these relationships across ideological differences to make real progress, and I intend to continue that work locally and regionally as a Whitefish City Council member.  

3. What are your priorities for economic development in the downtown area and on U.S. 93? 

The city should not be in the business of choosing winners and losers in business - residents and visitors should decide that based on where they spend their money. Whitefish's hospitality and tourism industry, and by extension its workers, is actively harmed by Whitefish not building a more robust, year-round economy. Whitefish should work to build a more robust, year-round economy that has better paying jobs. Not only does this provide opportunities for people to move up in the economy without being forced to commute to other locations in the Flathead Valley, but it will eliminate the persistent problem of the "shoulder season" negatively impacting the majority of our local hospitality workforce. This does not mean constructing big box stores in Whitefish, which is a common fear-mongering tactic. We can build a robust, year-round economy that eliminates the persistent “shoulder season” problem and provides better-paying jobs, all while preserving the local business environment of Whitefish.

4. What public amenities would you like to see improved or added to Whitefish? 

Whitefish has great public amenities for a city of fewer than 10,000 people - but we also have substantial opportunities for improvement. Much of the city's current bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure is not accessible. We should strive to make this infrastructure as accessible as possible, and we should strive to make sidewalks and paths wide enough to accommodate multiple users in strategic locations. Whitefish needs to take public transportation seriously by investing money and effort into expanding public transportation options to improve traffic and quality of life for locals. Whitefish is small enough to set the model for public transportation for the entire county, and we should take advantage of that opportunity. The city should not only support but actively prioritize expanding public transportation options, ensuring no one is denied the opportunity for convenient, car-free mobility if that is their personal preference.

5. How can the City Council ensure it is representing the whole community? 

The first step in ensuring that the City Council represents the entire community is electing council members that are representative of the community. The youngest member on the current Whitefish City Council is 43 years old. According to the 2023 ACS data from the US Census Bureau, the median age in Whitefish is 43.4, meaning that our entire city council directly represents the oldest half of the population, while the youngest half of the population has no direct representation. Beyond this fact, our city council needs to listen to the needs of renters in our community - too often, these needs are ignored in city hall. This is evident as our 2025 Housing Needs Assessment identifies that renters have significantly larger housing needs within our community compared to homeowners. Our city council should consider all perspectives when making decisions and should make decisions based on the best interests of the entire community in all cases. 

 Andy Feury