Challengers win

Voters in Whitefish showed they wanted a change in government by casting ballots for three new city councilors in the city's second all-mail election.

Incumbents Nancy Woodruff and Nick Palmer opted not to run for re-election, leaving Frank Sweeney, who was appointed to replace Shirley Jacobson in January, the only incumbent councilor.

Sweeney came in fourth in the race for three council seats with 961 votes. He was defeated by challengers Chris Hyatt, with 1,415 votes, Bill Kahle, 1,344, and Phil Mitchell, 1,057. Palmer, who had withdrawn but appeared on the ballot, garnered 264 votes.

This year's election was a contentious one, with the three challengers — fairly or unfairly — lumped together as a slate of candidates opposed to the current council.

That position was often made by political action committees and individuals that paid for mailers and print advertising calling for change.

The big issues that drew debate included the downtown streetscaping project, the city's jurisdiction in the "doughnut" area, and environmental and sign regulations.

Hyatt is a consultant with Northfork Strategies and the former owner of a downtown ski shop. Kahle is a developer of several infill projects in Whitefish. Mitchell retired from the golf course industry and now manages and owns rental units in Whitefish.

Also on the ballot, Bradley Johnson was elected as the city's first municipal judge with 1,625 votes. He has served as city judge in Whitefish since 1985 and became the interim municipal judge when the change was made in July this year.

Voters also approved a minor language change to the city's charter relating to the new municipal court by 1,543 to 250.