C.F. Council candidate wants to do what he can to help

Darin Fisher, a trail builder for the U.S. Forest Service, is one of the five candidates running for three open seats on the Columbia Falls City Council.

Like the other candidates, Fisher is not spending any money and instead is running a word-of-mouth campaign.

"I'm not out there pounding the ground explaining why I'm better than any of the other candidates," said Fisher, who is 34.

"I didn't get into this to push other people out and bring in an agenda. This isn't Whitefish ... It seems pretty low-key and amicable and I'd like to keep it that way."

In his first bid for a public office, Fisher faces fellow challenger Sammi Johnson and incumbents Doug Karper, Julie Plevel and Harvey Reikofski Jr.

Originally from the Akron, Ohio area, Fisher moved to Columbia Falls about three years ago when he took a job as a trail technician with the Hungry Horse Ranger District of Flathead National Forest.

He moved out West in 1999 to volunteer in the Bridger-Teton National Forest and eventually was hired as a seasonal employee. He later went to work as a trail technician in West Yellowstone.

Fisher said he holds a degree in American studies from Bowling Green State University in Ohio.

"I had the luxury of being able to study what I enjoyed, but found out for my life that what I was better at and enjoyed most was packing mules and digging ditches," he said.

After years of living in small western towns with little more than a post office and a school, Fisher said he has enjoyed getting involved in the Columbia Falls community.

He said he has spent time volunteering with First Best Place, working on its trail projects and helping clean up around Discovery Square and the Columbia Falls Farmers Market.

"They got me interested in the community and showed me that there are people who actively want to make this a better place and are working for it."

Fisher said he also has attended some council meetings.

"[I heard] two incumbents say they might run again, but that they're looking for more people to get involved and that it might be nice to have some fresh blood. I said, ‘I'm new blood, I'll give it a shot.'"

According to Fisher, the economy is the biggest issue facing Columbia Falls, but that's not something the council is in much of a position to turn around on its own.

"The economy is not great and there are all sorts of things to talk about - the aluminum company, downtown revitalization, bringing in new businesses. Council can do limited things on all those fronts," he said.

"A lot of it is just making sure Columbia Falls stays a good, livable, enjoyable community."

Fisher suggested that voters in Columbia Falls will see a ballot of five good candidates this election.

"The three incumbents have been doing a good job, but if people want to give some other folks a chance to step in, that's great," Fisher said.

"There's no radical changes on my agenda ... I'm just interested in being involved and helping out."

Darin Fisher

Age: 34

Family: Wife, Carla.

Occupation: Works as a trail technician for the U.S. Forest Service in Hungry Horse.

Background: Moved to Columbia Falls from West Yellowstone about three years ago. Has a degree in American studies from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. Has worked for the Forest Service for about 12 years.

Reporter Tom Lotshaw may be reached at 758-4483 or by email at tlotshaw@dailyinterlake.com.