Candidate is C-Falls booster

Saying she wants to give the younger demographic in Columbia Falls a voice in local government, Sammi Johnson joins five other candidates in this year's city council election.

Johnson grew up in White Sulphur Springs, where she learned to float and fish on one of Montana's premier rivers, the Smith. She graduated from the University of Montana-Missoula in 2005 with degrees in business marketing and forest recreation management.

Her husband Tyrel works for Glacier Boat Co., where Johnson worked summers while in college. They bought a house here in Columbia Falls in 2007, and she took a job with Outside Media, with offices next door to Glacier Boat Co., about 1 1/2 years ago.

Johnson is an avid telemark skier who can be found in the backcountry with her husband, a snowboarder. She didn't get a pass this year at Whitefish Mountain Resort because she was pregnant with her daughter Savannah.

Having never run for office could be intimidating, Johnson noted, but she says she feels a need to represent young families in town.

"I didn't see myself doing this five years ago, but I look forward to facing the challenge," she said.

She's also a proud booster for the town.

"I feel comfortable in Columbia Falls, and I feel like I can provide public service," she said. "Young families like this location - great schools, good access to Glacier Park, the rivers, the mountains, and a great network of peers and friends."

Columbia Falls is unique, she points out.

"There are emerging opportunities here, unlike in Kalispell or Whitefish," she said, citing the First Best Place's Discovery Square, which provides an affordable meeting place for community groups.

Johnson said she's volunteered extensively for the nonprofit group and supports them wholeheartedly.

"We're not replacing things here, we're enhancing them," she said.

Johnson would like to see the Red Bridge be repaired for pedestrians and bikers.

"It will connect the community across the river that calls Columbia Falls home," she said. "It will also connect with a network of trails planned across the county."

She'd also like to help encourage more businesses to come to Columbia Falls and refurbish some of the older uptown buildings.

"I want them to rediscover Columbia Falls," she said. "I work for a company that came here from Portland, Oregon. Outside Media is a prime example of what can be done."

Johnson said she's attended city council meetings in the past and wants to get involved in government.

"I don't have a personal agenda or particular issues that I am going to bring to city council," she said. "I just want to be a part of the process and hopefully be a strong councilwoman who can listen, be informed and help make informed decisions about issues that come our way."

Hutcheson withdraws from council race

Shane Hutcheson spent a day last week talking to state and county election officials and city officials before reaching a tough decision.

"I found out my house is not in the Columbia Falls city limits so I'm withdrawing from the race for city council," he said.

Three city lots lie between his home and the city limits, Hutcheson said.

Hutcheson said he wanted to do his due diligence homework before announcing his decision. He still wants to be an active community member and says he supports the candidacy of Darin Fisher and Sammi Johnson.