Council OK with Superfund designation

The Columbia Falls City Council Sept. 21 discussed the recent Superfund designation of the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. plant. Councilman Dave Petersen suggested that the council be responsive, with a letter written to Sen. Jon Tester.

“It’s politically helpful, it keeps us on their radar. It’s one way we could keep the pedal to the metal,” Petersen said.

Members of the council echoed the sentiment.

“Continually reminding political figures that we are still here and we exist, I support that,” council member Jenny Lovering said.

Mayor Don Barnhart said that the letter is “not a thank you for getting us listed, but a thank you for helping us resolve the situation.”

A public meeting with the EPA is scheduled for Sept. 29 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Columbia Falls Junior High School cafetorium.

In other council news:

• City Manager Susan Nicosia was honored for her decade of service to the city at the meeting, receiving her 10-year pin. “As you all know, I’m passionate about my job, so thank you,” Nicosia said.

• Judge Susan “Tina” Gordon addressed the council about a recent request for increased clerical assistance.

“It wasn’t just one busy Monday,” Gordon said. “We’re keeping up but we’re slowly getting backlogged.”

Gordon credited the court’s ability to keep up to her staff.

“I don’t have good clerks,” she said. “I have excellent clerks.”

But Barnhart pointed out that the timing on her request for additional funding to carry another staff member was four months late.

“I don’t know where that money is,” Barnhart said.

The issue will be revisited on Oct. 3.