The Columbia Falls City Council Monday night appointed Staci Bloomberg to fill the seat vacated by councilor Christopher Semok, who recently resigned after receiving a letter of censure from the council for not showing up to meetings.

Bloomberg is an attorney, though her practice has centered on working in human resources, including working with what is now Logan Health in Whitefish. 

She said her practice centers on solving issues between management and employees. She currently works part-time and remotely, so she has time to serve on council, she noted. 

Bloomberg has lived in Montana 25 years and in Columbia Falls for 10 years. She coaches youth soccer and is also on the Woodlawn Cemetery board. 

She said her main focus will be to listen to the community and its needs as a member of council.  She said growth and development was the top issue facing Columbia Falls. 

“Growth is going to happen. We need to make sure we do it in a thoughtful way,” she said. 

Bloomberg was one of three finalists candidates. The other two were Roger Hopkins and Elizabeth McBride. 

A fourth finalist, Kaitlyn Seemiller, opted out. Council questioned the three candidates for about an hour and then made its decision after a vote. 

Mayor Don Barnhart noted that all three would were quality candidates and should consider running for council in the future. 

All told, a dozen people expressed interest in Semok’s open seat. That was a stark contrast to the November election, where Semok won largely by default, as there was no race for the three open seats on council. 

Bloomberg will serve through the 2027 year and will then have to seek re-election, which she said she plans to do.