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It took just over a month, but the Spokane Valley City Council is now a seven-piece group again.
Ian Robertson, by a 4-2, vote was chosen by the council Tuesday. He replaces Steve Taylor, who left June 30 to start a new job as city administrator in Connell.
Mayor Richard Munson cited Robertson’s long involvement with the city’s Planning Commission – he’s been a member since incorporation in 2003 and is currently the chairman – his qualifications and his “electability” in the November general election as plusses for the retired pastor of Spokane Valley Nazarene Church.
“We’re going to be investing three months into this person,” Munson said. “There’s a lot to be done.”
The council last week interviewed Robertson along with Diana Sanderson, an adult education minister, and Ben Wick, an information systems engineer.
Council Member Diana Wilhite also supported Robertson, adding it was “a really difficult decision because we had great candidates.” Still, she said, “I think for me, there’s coming up things that we’re going to be voting on very quickly” and that Robertson has already been involved with the city for a number of years.
“Ian would be up and running a little faster,” she said.
Deputy Mayor Dick Denenny agreed, saying that Robertson will be able to communicate effectively with a large segment of the Spokane Valley community.
“He’s highly recognized and fully accepted by the community by a broad spectrum,” Denenny said.
Council Member Bill Gothmann was the fourth vote for Robertson, but he added that he thought Wick had the “best application by far.” But, he said, Robertson has the experience and know-how to do the job.
“People know him and respect him,” Gothmann said. “(Robertson) will do a terrific job.”
Council Members Rose Dempsey and Gary Schimmels – who have ever-increasingly found themselves in the minority against the rest of the council – supported Wick, although Schimmels said he had “nothing against (Robertson).”
Dempsey she “supports all three” and that the vote was “not the end of the world, (or) the end of the road
“This is an appointment for three months,” she said. “Whatever happens tonight, life goes on.”
If Robertson wants to keep his council seat – Taylor’s term expires in Dec. 31, 2011 – he will have to file for office Aug. 26-28. Those who weren’t chosen by the council – or any other city residents eligible for office – can also file at that time for a vote in the November general election.
Robertson holds degrees from Nazarene Theological College and Nazarene Theological Seminary. He also volunteers with a number of civic organizations.
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By
Mike Huffman
