David Petersen would like to a see some things through during another four years on the Columbia Falls City Council.

Petersen came to the council six years ago, appointed to replace a council member who resigned. After two years, Petersen was elected to a full term.

“Being on the council has been a good experience, an interesting experience,” said Petersen, who moved to Columbia Falls around 2003 from the Minneapolis area.

“There’s been a couple projects I’ve been involved with and I’d like to see them come to fruition, so I’ll give it another four years and this will be it,” he said.

One order of business is to continue “promoting the city and trying to work with others on the council and business leaders to make Columbia Falls a business-friendly environment and a family-friendly environment.”

Petersen aims to put energy towards improving and promoting the Nucleus Avenue district. He was involved with a volunteer effort to put welcome signs at the entrances to town and he would like to see some improved signs at U.S. 2 and Nucleus Avenue that offer more information to travelers on the highway.

“The other part I want to continue work to work on is to develop our River’s Edge Park,” he said. “We’re the only community in the Flathead Valley that has a park along the Flathead River.”

He noted that so far, the entrance to the park was significantly improved with landscaping, a project that had the unanimous support of the council. 

Petersen said serving on the council has been a pleasant experience, largely because of competent leadership by City Manager Susan Nicosia. He also touts a smoothly running fire department and police department.

“The areas that could be a problem and make our job difficult are not a problem ... That makes life easier when there are no headaches,” he said. “The management of the city is fiscally strong. We’re conservative. We don’t spend money unless we have to. We try to keep taxes down.”

Petersen says there is a good mix of talents and backgrounds on the council. He said he brings to the table his experience in managing radio and television stations, along with promotion skills.

“The more varied the mix of talents [on the council], I think the better for the community,” he said.

Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by email at [email protected].