Life Noell ran for a seat on the Whitefish City Council two years ago and was defeated, but he vowed he’d be back to give it another try.

He sees his campaign this time around as following through on that promise to serve the town he loves.

“Ever since I first moved to Whitefish in 1996, I have cared deeply for this community and when I have been able, I have been an active member of volunteer groups,” Noell said. “I find the general welfare of this town to be very important and believe that the folks who live here need responsible representation. I’m running to remind the community my interest is sincere.”

Among the most important issues facing the resort town is the water quality of Whitefish Lake, he said.

“I am deeply concerned about the evidence brought forth concerning a septic problem in our lake,” he said. “As this issue is being addressed we must remember that this is a problem that is going to take time to fix.”

Research being done by the Whitefish Lake Institute and collaboration with the city are paramount, he said. Noell said he believes the city’s wastewater committee work on a management plan will be vital in discovering solutions for preserving water quality.

Noell sees the city’s recent proposal to annex some 50 properties near Whitefish Lake as a way of protecting the lake from contaminants, but he admits annexation is “a touchy subject.”

“It would appear that annexation is one way to get citizens living on the lake to consider connecting to city water and sewer services,” he said. “The rise in taxes will probably not be welcomed as the cost of maintaining city services will be spread to the newly annexed properties.”

A proposal to create an urban nonmotorized zone on the Whitefish River could be used to protect the river from further erosion, Noell said, but he believes there needs to be community buy-in for the proposal.

“It would seem to me a that great number of people would like to see this idea come to fruition,” he said. “I believe that our river should be enjoyed by everybody, so we will have to consider what the motorized boat community will have to say about this issue as well as the property owners along the riverway.”

Noell has been studying downtown needs and sees the maintenance and preservation of Depot Park as crucial.

“Anyone who visits Depot Park can see that it is a valuable green space in the heart of Whitefish,” he said. “It is unfortunate that we are using this particular park to the point of harming it.” 

The new Depot Park Master Plan outlines measures to manage the park’s usage with the goal of preserving the green space for future generations, he said, adding that he favors using other parks in Whitefish for events, which could help lessen the burden on Depot Park.

Parking is another downtown concern, and Noell sees the recently updated downtown master plan as a useful tool in guiding development.

“Anyone who has visited Whitefish during our winter or summer season can attest to our need for additional parking,” he said. “If we are to continue to grow, as it is expected, then we will have to address the issues that arise as more people move to this community. Parking is just one part of that.

“Our city staff and City Council will make the necessary decisions and changes that will keep Whitefish both functional and aesthetically pleasing,” Noell said.

Regarding the struggle for planning jurisdiction in the two-mile “doughnut” around Whitefish, Noell said it’s difficult right now to see the light at the end of the tunnel as the city and county wait for a decision from the Montana Supreme Court.

“I believe that the county will ultimately gain control once the smoke clears and that Whitefish will have to take what it can get out of the deal.” he said. “I have always believed that the people of the doughnut area need representation and that they need a vote ... In this issue, there are no real clear winners, at least none that I can see. I believe it has been expensive enough already on Whitefish and that the sooner it is resolved, the better for all concerned.”

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.