Fitzgerald appointed to council

Sarah Fitzgerald was selected Monday to fill a vacancy on the Whitefish City Council.

Fitzgerald previously served on council from 2000 to 2004. She is a vice president and financial advisor for D.A. Davidson & Co. in Whitefish and has lived here for 38 years.

“I grew up in this wonderful community and I am now raising my own family here and want them to have the wonderful opportunities of the beautiful, active and safe Whitefish that I did,” she said.

Three other candidates, Sarah Lundstrum, Life Noell and John Repke, also interviewed for the position.

Council unanimously approved Fitzgerad’s appointment at the start of Monday’s regular meeting and she was immediately sworn in.

Councilor Jen Frandsen thanked all the candidates for being willing to serve.

“Sarah particularly stood out as very well prepared, ready to jump on board and is ready to make decisions,” Frandsen said. “Given her experience, I have no doubt she will be up and running quickly.”

During the interview process, Fitzgerald said her prior experience serving on council gives her an advantage and when the opening came up she knew she needed to volunteer.

“I knew you needed someone to get you through the rest of the year,” she said. “I want to participate in my community.”

She takes the open spot left when councilman John Anderson resigned earlier this month. Fitzgerald will serve through the end of the year, which was the end of Anderson’s term.

Fitzgerald said she does not intend to seek re-election to the position.

“I’m expanding my family and have a boy due in December,” she said, noting that she plans to attend every meeting through the end of the year.

Fitzgerald was involved in the creation of The Wave and was one of the original board members for the Whitefish Community Foundation and served on their grant committee for 10 years. She also served on the Whitefish government review commission.

Fitzgerald pointed to the construction of City Hall and longterm planning for the Stumptown Ice Den as two issues she wants to work on.

“It’s about time City Hall is constructed — it has taken so long and I’m excited about that,” she said.

She noted her family’s participation in youth and adult hockey.

“Working on the ice rink — I’m prefect for that,” she said. “I helped lay rebar and cement in the first ice rink.”