Incumbent Joe Bodman wins third term

Nothing has changed on the Post Falls City Council.

Incumbent Joe Bodman won 42 percent of the vote Tuesday, garnering more support than challengers Jackie McAvoy and Joe Doellefeld, both of whom have previously served on the council and got 38 percent and 20 percent, respectively.

This will be Bodman’s third term.

Bodman was unavailable for comment Tuesday night, but said during his campaign that one of his first priorities would be to create more baseball and soccer fields in the city. Bodman, who works for the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, said he believes that engaging children in sports keeps them out of trouble.

Bodman said he will continue to fulfill two promises he made when he first ran for the council: voting the way citizens want and informing them of what’s going on in the city.

“I work for the citizens of Post Falls,” Bodman said in October. “I’m going to vote with the citizens because they’re the ones who hired me.”

McAvoy responded to the results by giving her congratulations to Bodman: “Obviously the voters wanted him there.”

City resident Christina Waller took advantage of her newly gained voter eligibility – she turned 18 in August – and hit the polls Tuesday afternoon at the Post Falls Senior Center.

Holding her “I Voted” sticker in her hand afterward, Waller said she voted for Bodman.

“He’s already in office, and he seems to be doing a good job,” Waller said.

The other council races were uncontested, with Mayor Clay Larkin set to serve his second term since being appointed in 2001 and Councilman Ron Jacobson ready to serve his third term since being appointed in 1999.