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Council re-organizes during first meeting

HEIDI DESCH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 years, 6 months AGO
by HEIDI DESCH
DEPUTY EDITOR, FEATURES Heidi Desch is the Deputy Editor at the Daily Inter Lake, overseeing coverage of arts, culture, lifestyle, community, and business. Desch leads reporters in developing stories that highlight the people, traditions, and events shaping Northwest Montana, guiding content across print and digital platforms. With more than 20 years of journalism experience, including serving as managing editor of the Whitefish Pilot, Desch is a graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism. She has received multiple Montana Newspaper Association awards, including part of the team leading the Daily Inter Lake to Best Daily Newspaper in Montana Award and the General Excellence Award in 2024 and 2025. IMPACT: Heidi’s work connects readers with stories that deepen the understanding of the community beyond daily news. | January 9, 2018 3:04 PM

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Outgoing City Councilors Pam Barberis and Jen Frandsen were honored last week for their service to the city of Whitefish. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)

Whitefish City Council handled a few housekeeping items last week during its first meeting of 2018.

Council voted to elect Councilor Richard Hildner to continue serving as Deputy Mayor.

“His energy has been remarkable,” Councilor Frank Sweeney in nominating Hildner. “Richard has done a great job.”

Mayor John Mulhfeld gave outgoing Councilors Jen Frandsen and Pam Barberis plaques and thanked them for their hard work volunteering to serve the city. Both Frandsen and Barberis chose not to run for re-election after serving one term on council.

Mulhfeld also administered the oath of office for Councilors Ryan Hennen and Andy Feury, and Whitefish Municipal Judge Bill Hileman. Melissa Hartman was also elected to Council, but was absent from the meeting and is set to be sworn in on Jan. 16.

Appointments of City Council members to various boards, commissions, and committees was also made: Frank Sweeney and Ryan Hennen, Park Board; Andy Feury, resort tax monitoring committee; Andy Feury and Katie Williams, Montana West Economic Development; Richard Hildner, pedestrian and bicycle path committee; Melissa Hartman, tree advisory committee; Ryan Hennen, impact fee advisory committee; Police Chief Bill Dial and Katie Williams, 911 administrative board; Frank Sweeney and Andy Feury, insurance committee; Mayor John Muhlfeld and Andy Feury, real estate advisors; Mayor John Muhlfeld, Katie Williams, Melissa Hartman and Andy Feury, Legacy Lands Advisory Committee; Richard Hildner and Frank Sweeney, Whitefish Planning Board; Ryan Hennen and Frank Sweeney, Board of Adjustment; and Richard Hildner, Whitefish climate action plan.

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