Bob Sheckler Elected To Fourth Term As Des Moines Mayor
by Des Moines councilman Bob Sheckler was elected to a fourth consecutive term as mayor at the city council’s first meeting of the new year on Thursday, Jan. 7.
Councilman Dave Kaplan, who was re-elected to the council in the November election, was chosen as the city’s mayor pro tem.
Sheckler, who was elected on a 5-2 vote of council members, was nominated by Kaplan.
Scott Thomasson then nominated Matt Pina, who declined to be considered “for a variety of reasons.”
Newcomers Pina and Melissa Musser were sworn in and seated on the council at the start of the meeting.
After Pina stepped aside, Councilman Dan Sherman nominated Thomasson.
Voting for Sheckler were Kaplan, Musser and Pina, along with Councilwoman Carmen Scott and Sheckler. Sherman and Thomasson voted for Thomasson.
Kaplan was nominated by Scott, and Thomasson then nominated Musser. Sheckler, Kaplan, Pina and Scott voted for Kaplan, while voting for Musser were Sherman, Thomasson and Musser.
In recent years, Sheckler and Kaplan frequently have been on one side of a number of contentious issues, with Sherman and Thomasson on the other.
Assistant City Manager Lorri Ericson introduced Marion Yoshino, the city’s new economic development manager, to the council.
Yoshino, a Normandy Park City Council member, small business owner and 14-year resident in the area, will serve in this capacity on a pro bono basis.
“We have all witnessed the unfortunate recent closures of many of our small businesses,” Yoshino said. “It’s hard to see what’s going on around us.”
But, she continued, Des Moines has “the most spectacular beauty,” and noted the similarity here with waterfront settings in Bellingham and Kirkland where local businesses are doing relatively well even in the down economy.
“Our small businesses deserve this now,” Yoshino said. “If we all pull together we’re going to have a fantastic place.”
As if setting a new tone at the beginning of a new year, community activist and volunteer Brenda Anders, in the only comment from the public at the meeting, expressed support for the new council in its work ahead and declared, “I love Des Moines, Washington. This is a great place to work, a great place to live, a great place to play.”
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Because he did such a great job with the first three terms? Look at the state of the city, and tell me if this is a good idea. Only crack heads, hookers, and people with their heads in their culos (sp?) agree with this decision.
Well by voting for the inner circle of hell… scott, kaplan, and pina..voters assured Srekler could reign the city and support another shitty parade! Like someone said during election season.. “you get what you vote for” Also why the hell would someone from Normandy Park offer to work on a pro bono basis for a city they don’t live in? Is Marion that bored with her life? I can think of plenty of other meaningful ways to help the community for free.