Moyie Springs City Council voted unanimously to appoint its president, Doug Evans, as mayor.

Evans will fill the vacancy created by the May 7 death of Joe Mesenbrink. Mesenbrink, who died from cancer, served as mayor for 13 years.

“I figured it was the best for the city,” Evans said about his appointment. “I’ve been president of the council for 6 1/2 years.”

Evans was the only applicant. He appointed Steve Economu to fill his seat.

Evans doesn’t plan to make any big changes as mayor.

“I don’t plan on changing anything in any big ways,” the 42-year-old said. “Joe did a really good job, and I am going to try to keep up with what he was doing.”

As a logger employed by Foust, issues related to timber hit home for Evans.

“I am trying to hope we can keep the logging community going; it’s our whole community,” he said. “It’s a big thing for Moyie Springs. We don’t need to lose another mill.”

Evans and his wife of 17 years, Darla, are the parents of Mathew, 15, and Brenden, 13.