Whitefish council member resigns

Whitefish City Council member John Anderson turned in his resignation Wednesday morning.

He said the resignation was effectively immediately.

Anderson did not attend Tuesday’s work session on the city’s proposed 2016 budget. He attended the council’s most recent regular meeting on May 18, although he missed the four previous regular meetings.

The council has 30 days to make an appointment to fill the open seat. The appointed council member will serve through the end of the year when Anderson’s term was set to expire.

Anderson was elected in 2011 along with Richard Hildner and Frank Sweeney. All three of those seats are up for election this year. Hildner and Sweeney have filed for re-election.

Mayor John Muhlfeld said Anderson brought a balanced approach to his decision-making during his time on the council.

“He looked at all issues from all angles,” Muhlfeld said. “He always kept the best interest of the city at the forefront of his decisions. He didn’t have an agenda and was there to serve the people of Whitefish. I always admired that about him.”

Muhlfeld described Anderson as one of the hardest-working council members he has worked with.

“On behalf of the council, I want to personally thank John for his great service to our community,” he added.

City Manager Chuck Stearns said it’s likely the council will discuss Anderson’s replacement at its June 15 meeting. The city will advertise for the vacancy and is accepting letters of interest from candidates.

The newly appointed council member is required to be a city resident.

Stearns said city business can go on as usual until an appointment is made.

The last time a Whitefish council member was appointed was in 2009 when Sweeney replaced Shirley Jacobson. In 2006, Muhlfeld was appointed to the council to replace Tom Muri.