Editor's note: This is the second in a series of stories on candidates for Whitefish City Council. Ballots for the city election will be mailed to Whitefish voters Oct. 19. Ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on Nov. 8.

Richard Hildner has been a fixture in the audience at Whitefish City Council meetings for 23 years, commenting on local issues more often than not.

Now he says the time is right to shift from the audience to the council.

Hildner is one of six candidates vying for the three council seats currently held by Ryan Friel, Turner Askew and John Muhlfeld. Friel is not seeking re-election and Askew and Muhlfeld are running for mayor.

Hildner, a government teacher at Glacier High School until he retires next spring, said his first foray into city government was in 1988 when he proposed the creation of Montana's first urban canoe trail on the Whitefish River from Whitefish Lake to Montana 40. At that time Jet Skis and other motorized watercraft were allowed on the stretch of river, and Hildner was concerned about the potential for conflict.

"The lesson learned was that one must compromise," he said.

He didn't get the designation he sought, but his quest resulted in a no-wake zone on the river that's still in place today. The discussion whet an appetite for local government that Hildner has been savoring ever since.

Critical areas ordinance

Hildner served on the advisory committee that helped draft the comprehensive critical areas ordinance, so he considers himself part of that process.

While he agrees that any regulation should be subject to review and adjusted if necessary, he's a stalwart advocate for protecting Whitefish's water resources and believes the critical areas ordinance accomplishes that.

"One of the bedrock things that has to be kept is adequate setbacks and buffers," Hildner stressed. "I look at my responsibility as a citizen to ensure that the water that leaves Whitefish is as good as what came into Whitefish."

He said the ordinance was designed to protect the source of Whitefish's drinking water and prevent pollutants from going into the Whitefish River.

The "Doughnut"

Hildner has been a key organizer in getting on the ballot a referendum to repeal the 2010 revised interlocal agreement for the two-mile planning "doughnut" in Whitefish. Whitefish residents will vote on the referendum in this year's city election.

The revised document isn't the compromise it was billed to be, he said, and he believes the council didn't follow the wishes of more than 50 Whitefish residents who implored the council not to approve the revised agreement.

"The city in the long term will expand and the city will be responsible for planned growth" in the doughnut area, Hildner said. "The 2005 interlocal agreement was to ensure the city and county stayed at the table to work out their differences."

He doesn't like the revised document's stipulation that either the city or county can withdraw from the agreement with a one-year notice.

City Hall

There needs to be as much public acceptance as possible with an issue as big as building a new City Hall, Hildner said. He told the council recently to slow down the process and maximize community involvement. He also suggested exploring other site options not on the table.

Hildner would like to see City Hall kept in the downtown area.

"The closer the seat of government is to people, the more people feel empowered; the more sense of belonging citizens have," he said.

Budget

Hildner said he thinks the city's fiscal health is good. He has read the current budget and believes it's balanced as required by state law. He's pleased the city's reserve funds are increasing.

Whitefish needs to take a critical look at whether the budget can increase staffing levels for the police and fire departments, Hildner maintained. It's a safety issue, he noted, and a recent ride-along with a police officer showed Hildner that more patrol is needed on city streets, especially during the evening hours.

Hildner said he's "probably the only candidate" who has attended numerous city budget planning meetings.

Perception

Whitefish doesn't deserve the label of being elitist, Hildner said.

"It's an unfortunate label for a town that cares deeply about itself," he said.

What he sees in Whitefish is a "can-do attitude." He also believes Whitefish citizens care about those less fortunate, citing a substantial scholarship program at the Wave fitness center for those who can't afford the facility.

"That's the way it ought to be. In early America they called it boosterism ... it's that caring attitude I want to keep going."

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at [email protected].

Richard Hildner

Age: 65

Family: Wife, Suzanne Daniell; two grown children

Occupation: Government teacher at Glacier High School

Background: University of Montana graduate with degree in geography; went back as non-degree graduate student to obtain teaching credential; past president and board member of Whitefish Theatre Company; past president and board member for 10 years with The Nurturing Center in Kalispell; past vice president of Children's House Montessori in Whitefish; former youth soccer coach and referee; smokejumper during college; has lived and owned a house in Whitefish since 1987; marathon runner.

Email: [email protected]