Mayoral race: Barnhart brings a wealth of experience

Columbia Falls mayor Don Barnhart said he’d like to think he’s done a pretty good job at the helm of the city for the past eight years and looks forward to serving another four years if re-elected.

Barnhart, 65, was born and raised in Columbia Falls and is the owner of B&F Excavating.

His father, Ray, moved here from Fairview, Oregon in 1948 after World War II to work on the Hungry Horse Dam. After the dam work, Ray went to work for E.J. Lundstrom and in 1955, along with partner Fred Fowler, they bought out Lundstrom and formed B&F Excavating.

That’s where a young Barnhart got his start. He graduated from Columbia Falls in 1971. He played football and was a center on the 1970 team that made it to the state A championship.

After high school he went to Flathead Valley Community College and joined the Army Reserves, where he reached the rank of Staff Sergeant.

In 1979 he joined the Columbia Falls Volunteer Fire Department. He rose through the ranks and became chief in 1990, a post he held until 2000.

He also served seven years on city council, prior to becoming mayor.

Barnhart said over the years the city has done a good job preparing for growth and will do more in the coming years. It currently has capacity for its sewer and water system for more development as Columbia Falls becomes an increasingly attractive town for people to live in, particularly those who like to recreate in the nearby hills.

“I think we’re prepared for growth,” he said.

The city has certainly changed over the past few years, turning more and more to the recreation industry.

“It’s kind of rediscovering itself,” Barnhart said of the city. “When I grew up, it was the industrial hub of the valley.”

But over the years the mills have either contracted greatly or shut down altogether. He said he was happy the city got involved with the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. Superfund process, in order to ensure it’s cleaned up properly and the city’s water supply, which comes from underground wells, isn’t compromised.

The cleanup will also mean future growth for Columbia Falls down the line.

While his opponent, John Rallis, would like to do away with the city manager form of government here, Barnhart noted that it was voted in the by the citizens in 1991 and has served the city well.

“I think it’s obviously the most efficient way to run the city,” he said.

He noted there are 13 cities in the state that use the city manager government and it works.

“We do pretty well. It’s been well thought-out,” he said.

Barnhart said the city over the years has done a good job with growth, while still retaining the small-town feel which makes it attractive.

“That’s real important,” he noted.

Having said that, there will need to be more services in the future, he predicted, including more paid firemen and more police, as the community grows and expands.

He said he opposed annexing property before a project was in place, however. Development should drive annexation, he noted. Property owners don’t want to pay more taxes that come with annexation if they don’t have to.

Barnhart said he simply likes working with people.

“I think I do a pretty good job,” he said. “I’m willing to listen to anyone who wants to talk to me.”