Four candidates to run for three council seats

Four candidates have entered the race for three open seats on the Whitefish City Council in this year’s city election. Pamela Barberis formally filed this week, joining candidates Jennifer Frandsen, Life Noell and former Whitefish mayor Andy Feury.

The terms of current councilors Chris Hyatt, Phil Mitchell and Bill Kahle are ending this year. None of the three are seeking re-election.

Filing for city elections closed on Thursday, June 27.

Barberis considered applying for one of the city committees, but was persuaded to run for council. She said the timing is right for her to get involved and give back to the community.

Barberis is quick to note the extraordinary amount of goodwill her family received while her son, Evan, battled leukemia the past three years. Evan, 9, currently is in remission and is doing well, she said.

“We never would have gotten through that experience without a town that gave us so much support,” Barberis said.

“It’s nice to be in a spot to give back.”

Barberis worked the past five years as the baker and kitchen manager at the downtown Montana Coffee Traders. She is currently working part time as a landscaper. She has been involved with Farm Hands and Nourish the Flathead.

Her husband, Joe, is brewmaster at Great Northern Brewing Company.

Frandsen is active with organizing the downtown Tuesday Farmers Market and is on the board of the nonprofit Youth Image Project.

She is an owner at the Old Town Creative website development company based in the Railway District.

Feury resigned as mayor in 2007 after nearly eight years in the position. He successfully ran for mayor in 1999, ran unopposed in 2001, defeated Mike Gwiazdon in 2003 and ran unopposed again in 2005.

Noell serves on the city park board, weed control advisory committee, and pedestrian and bicycle path advisory committee. He unsuccessfully ran for council in the 2011 election.

All of the council terms are volunteer positions held for four years.

Municipal Court Judge Bradley Johnson also filed for re-election. He is running unopposed.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.