Council election heats up
HEIDI DESCH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 17 years AGO
DEPUTY EDITOR, FEATURES Heidi Desch is the Deputy Editor at the Daily Inter Lake, overseeing coverage of arts, culture, lifestyle, community, and business. Desch leads reporters in developing stories that highlight the people, traditions, and events shaping Northwest Montana, guiding content across print and digital platforms. With more than 20 years of journalism experience, including serving as managing editor of the Whitefish Pilot, Desch is a graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism. She has received multiple Montana Newspaper Association awards, including part of the team leading the Daily Inter Lake to Best Daily Newspaper in Montana Award and the General Excellence Award in 2024 and 2025. IMPACT: Heidi’s work connects readers with stories that deepen the understanding of the community beyond daily news. | July 9, 2009 11:00 PM
A last-minute filing has turned the Columbia Falls City Council election into a race.
Last Thursday —the last day to file — Shawn Bates had filled with the Flathead County Election Department to vie for a city council seat.
Also running are Matthew McConville and incumbents Michael Shepard and David Petersen. There are three open positions on the city council to serve four-year terms.
Besides Shepard and Petersen, Harvey Reikofski's term expires at the end of the year. Reikofski did not file for re-election.
Mayor Jolie Fish's term will also expire this year and she has decided not to run again. Councilman Don Barnhart has filed to run for mayor.
Because Barnhart is running unopposed he will likely be elected and leave his council seat open after November. If that happens, the council usually appoints a new member to fill the vacancy. That could mean whichever candidate is not elected could still be seated on the council.
The city election is Nov. 3.
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