Polson, St. Ignatius elect new council members
KRISTI NIEMEYER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years AGO
Kristi Niemeyer is editor of the Lake County Leader. She learned her newspaper licks at the Mission Valley News and honed them at the helm of the Ronan Pioneer and, eventually, as co-editor of the Leader until 1993. She later launched and published Lively Times, a statewide arts and entertainment monthly (she still publishes the digital version), and produced and edited State of the Arts for the Montana Arts Council and Heart to Heart for St. Luke Community Healthcare. Reach her at [email protected] or 406-883-4343. | November 15, 2023 11:00 PM
Despite some confusion over the write-in election for Polson’s Ward 2 in last Tuesday’s election, Lisa Rehard received 230 votes to David Coffman’s 121. Since neither name actually appeared on the ballot, voters had to write in their preferred candidates.
Rehard, a native of Butte and retired attorney, will serve a four-year term on the Polson City Commission beginning Jan. 1. She replaces commissioner Tony Isbell, who opted not to run for another term.
St. Ignatius voters chose one incumbent and one newcomer in a close three-way race for two seats on the city council. Incumbent Janis Heffern received 78 votes, Rikki Menz-Merchant tallied 75, and incumbent Steve McCollum collected 68.
The St. Ignatius Rural Fire District levy passed easily, 326 to 164.
ARTICLES BY KRISTI NIEMEYER
Road makeovers get high marks from drivers and engineers in Lake County
“Those are the best roads in Lake County,” enthused a driver recently after trying out the new surfaces of North Reservoir Road, south of Polson, and Dublin Gulch Road, north of St. Ignatius.
Dedicated Doc: Dr. Ed Vizcarra leaves legacy of patient-centered care
When beloved family physician Ed Vizcarra retired from St. Luke Community Healthcare Network at the end of October, generations of patients and hospital staff flocked to his retirement party to express their gratitude.
“Great communities are built on volunteers”
Cars and trucks lined Main Street in Polson to collect Thanksgiving dinners from the Elks Club last Thursday. The drive-through dinner, commandeered by field marshal Tracy Plaiss, served 1,800 Thanksgiving dinners, made from scratch. A few miles south, the Ronan Community Thanksgiving dinner filled a room in the Boys and Girls Club with tables of visiting people and the aromas of roasting turkey and savory dressing.