Write-in candidate challenges for mayor

A challenger for mayor of Whitefish has announced his intention to file as a write-in candidate in the upcoming city election.

Rick Baker said he is running as an “independent write-in” and plans to spend no more than $100 on his campaign.

Baker, who is retired, said he wants Whitefish to be a business-friendly place. He has lived in Whitefish for the past four years.

Mayor John Muhlfeld is seeking re-election for a second term and is running unopposed in the race.

As of Monday, Baker had not officially filed with the Flathead County Election Department but he told the Pilot he intends to do so. The deadline for a write-in candidate to file is Oct. 8.

“I fully expect that I won’t be elected,” Baker said. “But I want to have the important issues addressed.”

Baker, who most recently worked for Flathead County solid waste, said he brings experience having served in Wallingford, Vt., for about eight years on the town’s board similar to city council. He served as a member of the selectboard and was chairman of the selectboard in the town with a population of about 2,300.

He says Whitefish needs to improve its relationships with business owners and points to empty buildings in town — such as the former Army Navy store on Highway 93 South.

Baker said he doesn’t support the resort tax and didn’t see a reason for the tax to be increased to pay for a conservation easement in Haskill Basin because he doesn’t feel the area would have been developed.

“We don’t have a money problem — we have a spending problem,” he said.

He would like to see the city work with transients in town to get them needed services, and he would also like an increase in available public transit. He also cites concerns with ensuring property owners keep their grass mowed because of fire danger.

He said he has spent time volunteering in Whitefish and enjoys ski racing at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

“I love my community,” he said.