Two vie for FVCC trustee seat

The Daily Inter Lake

A doctor and an attorney, both from Whitefish, have submitted their names for the vacant position on the Flathead Valley Community College Board of Trustees.

The seat opened when Trustee Jeanne Tallman submitted her resignation. Trustees scheduled presentations by the candidates, with a secret ballot by the board afterward, during the meeting, which begins at 3:45 p.m. today.

Dr. Patrick Madigan, a cardiologist, submitted a letter of interest, saying his daughter recently graduated from Whitefish High School. He established a practice in Whitefish after moving here from Billings two years ago.

In his letter, Madigan wrote that he was medical director of education at a Billings clinic, and that he was "very active as a hospitalist working at North Valley Hospital."

Whitefish City Attorney John Phelps also made application for the trustee seat. He has worked as an attorney for 29 years with the last 26 spent representing boards of public agencies. He has served as city attorney in Whitefish for 12 years.

"I became familiar with Flathead Valley Community College in 1994 and 1995, when I taught American Government … and Political Philosophy," Phelps wrote in his letter.

Phelps said he was involved with several organizations in the Flathead Valley. He said that he was familiar with how public entities operate and the limited role boards play in setting policy.

Madigan said he was a nationally qualified soccer coach who has coached Flathead Force Soccer Club for two years. He belongs to Whitefish Rotary and donates time to Shepherd's Hand Medical Clinic in Whitefish.

Phelps and Madigan responded to advertisements requesting letters of application for the vacant position to represent Whitefish, Columbia Falls and Bigfork. The candidate selected serves until the next school election in May 2008.