City council candidate Erick Robbins

Columbia Falls is on the cusp of some significant changes in the next few years and Erick Robbins wants to help guide the city’s future growth. That’s why he’s running for city council. Robbins, 46, is a Realtor with Remax/Mountain View in Columbia Falls. This is his first time running for council, though he previously sat on the city-county planning board.

Since he made the decision to run, he’s been attending city council meetings, the only candidate, outside of the incumbents to do so. He said he appreciates the way the city is currently operating.

“I like the fact that we operate in a fiscally conservative matter,” he said.

Robbins has lived here for 11.5 years. His wife, Jennifer, has taught seventh-grade at Columbia Falls Junior High School for 16 years. He has three children, George, 11, Sophia, 9, and Ella, 5. He’s originally from Phoenix, Arizona and he has a bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management. He started his real estate career in 2002 and joined ReMax in 2003.

“I’ve had aspirations to get involved in local government for quite some time,” he said.

After the real estate crash of 2008, the city is poised for change.

“The town’s going through what feels like some growth changes. It’s very exciting. It remains to be seen to what degree and what pace,” he noted.

Robbins said he would bring honesty, integrity and transparency to his council seat if elected.

“I’m doing it for the love of the community,” he said.