Brewer appointed to Havre City Council

The Havre City Council voted Monday night to appoint Denise Brewer to fill the council's open Ward 2 seat through the end of the year.

All council members were in attendance with Jay Pyette participating by speaker phone.

The council voted 6 to 1 for Brewer's appointment.

Council member Matthew Boucher voted to appoint Faye James, the only other person who applied to fill the seat that became vacant when Brian Barrows resigned from council last month.

Before the vote took place, Council member Terry Lilletvedt thanked Brewer and James for applying.

"We all, I think, appreciate your willingness to step forward," she said.

The Ward 2 seat represents the Smithville and Highland Park sections of the city with sections around Montana State University-Northern and Havre's public cemetery.

Brewer has lived in Havre for 28 years and is the wife of Great Northern Fairgrounds Manager Dave Brewer. She had been the activities director at Montana State University-Northern until her retirement last year.

At last month's meeting, Brewer and James, a 53-year Havre resident, went before the council and provided information about themselves.

After the vote, Mayor Tim Solomon swore in Brewer, and she took her seat.

During the public comment portion James thanked the council for considering her for the seat and said if she can be of service, not to hesitate to call her.

Council President Andrew Brekke after the vote added that June 19 is filing deadline for city elections and many positions are still open, including for the next two years in the Ward 2 seat Brewer took.

Mayors Tim Solomon of Havre and Ray Lipp of Hingham have filed for re-election, as has Havre City Court Judge Virginia Siegel, and all are currently unopposed.

Havre City Council member Karen Swenson has filed for re-election for the four-year seat in Ward 2.

Council members Lilletvedt in Ward 1, Pyette in Ward 3 and Boucher in Ward 4 have not filed for re-election.

Lindsey Ratliff and Marc Whitacre have filed in Ward 3.

Sarah Griffith and Will Lorett have filed to run for the Ward 4 seat held by Boucher.