Melissa Hartman says her experience seeking office in the state Legislature prompted her run for Whitefish City Council.

“I want to make a positive difference in the community,” she said. “When I was out there knocking on doors I heard people’s concerns and I hope to bring that to the office.”

Hartman, 49, owns a private mental health counseling practice in Whitefish and is married to husband Dave.

In 2016, running as a Democrat she lost in the race for state Senate District 3.

She studied government and economics at Connecticut College, then earned a master’s in social work at New York University. Out of college her first job was with the Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C., where she discovered what she says was a massive bureaucracy and chose to move into social work. She moved to Whitefish in 2008.

This is the first time Hartman has run for Whitefish City Council.

“I have plenty to learn in the position,” she said. “I’m enthusiastic about it and positive about the position. I want to do what I can help. There’s some great people that are serving already.”

Affordable housing

“Focusing on affordable housing is critical,” Hartman said.

Hartman notes that there a number of options to consider when looking for solutions to providing affordable housing in Whitefish. She said she expects those options to be further explored after Whitefish Strategic Housing Plan is released.

“My guess from attending the open houses is that they will put together a number of different solutions we can look at,” she said.

Utility rates and taxes

Whitefish water and sewer rates have been steadily increasing in the last few years, in part to pay for a new wastewater treat plant to meet state standards.

Hartman say she would look at other avenues to help pay for the costs of operation.

“It’s not free to have services,” she said. “There has to be a way to generate revenue through tourism. Tourists use those services too and we need to look into that.”

In addition, Hartman said she wants to keep in mind taxes are an issue, especially for those on a fixed income.

“I don’t want to over burden our community,” she said.

Planning for growth

Hartman says she would like to see the city focus on infill as it grows. She notes that it’s important to plan for infrastructure as the city grows and ensuring that the city can accommodate new growth.

She says growth is inevitable, but it is important to balance growth.

“I want to preserve the character of the town,” she said. “That’s something I want to be sensitive to.”

She adds that she wants to protect “rural and wilderness spaces.”

Whitefish Lake

A 2012 study shows that aging septic systems along Whitefish Lake are threatening lake water quality.

“We need to be more aggressive in dealing with that issue,” Harman said. “Whitefish Lake is so central — it’s our drinking water, it’s our recreation — it’s critical that we protect it.”

Other issues

Hartman said she has a particular interest in focusing on sustainability for the city. She has worked with Climate Glacier Action, a group of volunteers concerned about climate change.

“We need good sustainable practices,” she said.