It is a phrase Andy Shirtliff used in an interview shortly after his appointment to the Helena City Commission to describe his hopes for historic buildings in town, but he gets the sense it applies to his new position as well.

Shirtliff was picked by his fellow commissioners to replace Eric Feaver, who at age 77 died of natural causes in June, and will fill that role until Jan. 1, 2024. He would not commit to running for the seat during the 2023 election and said he wants to “focus on the job at hand.”

Feaver received more votes than any other city commission candidate during the 2021 election, and Shirtliff said he appreciates the size of the shoes he intends to fill.

“I work for the people of Helena, and we have to face the problems at hand with an eye on the future,” he said. “I will respect the voters’ wishes who elected Eric. He was the top vote-getter last year.”