Moyie councilmen face challenger for Nov. 3 election

Three people are running for two, four-year seats on Moyie Springs City Council on Nov. 3.

Candidates are incumbents Steve Economu and Chad Farrens and challenger Rosanne Smith. Voters will choose two when they go to the polls between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Moyie Springs City Hall. City council members are paid $75 a month.

Economu was appointed to city council 16 months ago to replace councilman Doug Evans, who was named mayor after Joe Mesenbrink passed away on May 7, 2008.

The owner of Steve’s All Service home repair and remodeling business, Economu feels the most important issue facing Moyie Springs is its growth.

“We have to maintain our city streets, and with growing pains are sewer issues,” the 57-year-old said. “We are also active in helping the county with its landfill needs.”

Farrens, the owner of Mountain View Archery and NW Custom Sawing, has served on city council for 12 years and is seeking his fourth term.

If re-elected, he wants to focus on cleaning up the town and redoing its streets.

“Some of our streets are pretty bad,” the 43-year-old said. “The pavement is getting all busted up.”

He also believes it’s important to listen to residents’ concerns and it’s time to update ordinances.

“Some of our ordinances are so old,” he said.

Smith, 56, is making her first bid for city council. A retired federal worker, she chose to run because she believes the city’s handling of finances could be improved.

“I have attended meetings regularly since 2006 and feel it could be done better,” she said.

Issues facing Moyie Springs that will need addressed include its residential growth.

“If elected, I would bring codes and ordinances up to date,” Smith said. “They’re very old. The building ordinance was written in 1973. I believe it worked then, but now is now.”

In other matters, Moyie Springs Mayor Doug Evans is unopposed for a four-year term. He is paid $95 a month.

Councilmen Willy Byars and Geoff Hollenbeck’s terms do not expire this year.