By John Dowd 

TF City Council member resigns

 

September 23, 2021



A Thompson Falls City Council member has resigned her position. Ward 3 representative Ruth Cheney has stepped down from the council, effective immediately. She resigned three months shy of the halfway point in her four-year term. “I just was not the right person for the job,” said Cheney. “I felt ineffective on the council. Things that I would like to have seen happen just didn’t.” Cheney explained that she tried to leave early enough to give the city time to find someone prior to the next meeting, set for October 13. “I felt I should get off to make room for somebody that is effective.”

Cheney revealed that she has felt like her policies and ideas were not something that made it very far in the council meetings. “I always tell people, ‘this is not just a place I live.’ This is my hometown. I really want to see good things happen here,” said Cheney, who explained that she grew up in Thompson Falls. She also clarified that she believes others should try to take on the position. “For me, I’m 73. When I ran, I said I would be on for one term only. I have so little at stake. Other people are raising families, they have jobs, they have businesses. They have a lot at stake.” However, Cheney has observed a great disinterest in the community for contributing to local government. “People just aren’t interested in participating in city government.”

The city will begin to advertise for the position and will start accepting applications. Each ward has two seats, with council members serving four-year terms. The area covered by Cheney’s ward includes everything in city limits from the east side of Woodland Street to the east end of town. The only official requirement for a council member in Thompson Falls is that the applicant have been a resident of the ward in question for at least 60 days prior to election.

The 2021 municipal elections are slated for November 2. Council members Shawni Vaught and Earlene Powell both filed to retain their positions, with no other residents filing to run against them. However, Cheney’s position is not up for election until 2023. The person who will replace Cheney and fill the rest of her term will be appointed by the council.

 

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