Sunday, June 21, 2026
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Polson, St. Ignatius elect new council members

KRISTI NIEMEYER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 7 months AGO
by KRISTI NIEMEYER
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.

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