Hawkins named to council post

SANDPOINT — City Council on Wednesday voted 4-1 to appoint Doug Hawkins Jr. to a vacant seat on council.

Mayor Ray Miller nominated Hawkins to replace Councilwoman Cindy Elliott, who in August resigned for personal reasons.

"I will take it very seriously," Hawkins told council prior to the vote. "I want to do the best of my ability."

Prior to the vote, Hawkins was asked several questions by Councilwoman Helen Newton. When asked about the Sand Creek Byway, Hawakins said told the council he supports it but doesn't believe it will solve all of Sandpoint's traffic problems.

Voting to appoint Hawkins were Newton, and councilmen Chuck Spickelmire, Steve Lockwood and Michael Boge. Councilwoman Sandy Lamson was the lone vote against the appointment.

Hawkins was Miller's second choice after council during a Sept. 5 meeting deadlocked 2-2 against his initial nominee — Sandpoint contractor Ivan Rimar.

Council members Helen Newton and Steve Lockwood voted against Miller's appointment. Council members Sandra Lamson and Chuck Spickelmire supported it. Councilman Michael Boge was absent.

Miller chose Rimar, owner of Ivan Rimar Construction, for several reasons including his intent to run for city council in the Nov. 6 election. Miller also recommended Rimar because he lives on the west side of the city, where no one else on council resides.

Hawkins, 28, plans to run for a four-year seat on council. The product manager for marketing at Litehouse Foods in Sandpoint, Hawkins is a fifth-generation Sandpoint resident. His family founded Litehouse Foods.

A 1998 graduate of Sandpoint High School, Hawkins has bachelor's degrees in marketing and economics from University of Idaho. He is finishing his master's in business administration with an emphasis in marketing at Gonzaga University in Spokane.