Ryan Gregory Hennen is looking to make his entry into local politics by running for Whitefish City Council.

Hennen, 32, is a Whitefish High School graduate who recently returned to Whitefish and works as an attorney for the Office of the State Public Defender.

He earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Montana. He spent some time working in Chicago between years spent attending college, then after earning his law degree working in Billings and Helena before returning home more than a year ago.

“I’m excited to come back,” he said. “I’ve been wanting to get into local politics and public service.”

“It’s a great way to get involved,” he added. “Whitefish is a great place to do it.”

Hennen notes as a public defender he has a high case load and he is a board trustee for the State Bar of Montana.

“I never shy away from a challenge,” he said.

Affordable housing

It’s an issue that Hennen is personally familiar with as he and his wife look to purchase a home in Whitefish.

“We want to try and buy a house in Whitefish, but every once in awhile our eyes start to wander,” he said. “It’s hard when you can get much more for $250,000 over in Columbia Falls.”

He says it’s one of the top issues he’s concerned with.

“I don’t know if there’s an easy solution to it,” he said.

Whitefish Lake

A 2012 study shows that aging septic systems along Whitefish Lake are threatening lake water quality. Hennen admits he is not fully informed about the issue, but says he would like to see what areas could help provide funding to address the issue.

“My lawyer brain kicks in and I start thinking about funds and grants that could help the municipality,” he said. “We will reach a crisis levels unless there is funding.”

Planning for growth

When it comes to planning for growth, he said though Whitefish has changed since he was a kid, it still remains much the same.

“We’re in the sweet spot,” he said. “I want to see us have new growth, but maintain the character. Whitefish has done a pretty good job of that.”

Other issues

An area he is personally interested in is the growth of food trucks and regulations surrounding them.

He said on trips to Portland, Oregon, he’s seen how popular food trucks have become. He also helps out friend Ian Moore, owner of Tea Kettle Cafe, during farmers markets in Columbia Falls and noticed the growing trend in the Flathead Valley.

“I’m not sure how everyone will respond to that, but I’d like to discuss it,” he said.