Lake Forest Park City Council Inauguration

Lake Forest Park City Council Inauguration

By Phillippa Kassover

Three new councilmembers and one returning councilmember were sworn in Monday night at the Lake Forest Park Civic Club to an enthusiastic audience of more than 100 local residents. 

Mark Phillips, John Resha, and Hilda Thompson were sworn in for their first LFP city council terms and John Wright for his second term by Municipal Judge Linda Portnoy. City resident and KIRO reporter Chris Legeros acted as the Master of Ceremonies. Lake Forest Park Boy Scout Troop #850 provided the Color Guard, and Shorecrest High School student Teagan Wood sang the national anthem. The invocation was given by Reverend Frank Baresel of Lake Forest Park Presbyterian Church, who gave thanks for the human capacity to dream, collaborate and work and encouraged the council members to create and sustain an environment where residents flourish.

Local resident Jean Bryant read her poem written especially for the occasion, congratulating the winners of the recent election and encouraging all sides to work together:

Congratulations to the ones

Who won the latest race

Just know that those who did not win

Should have an honored place

Each one is working for the City

All of us hold dear

That common goal we all do share

Let’s make that VERY clear

Following the oaths of office, each of the three new and one returning council members gave a short statement.

Mark Phillips takes the oath of office from
Judge Linda Portnoy
Photo by Phillippa Kassover

Mark Phillips, 22-year LFP resident and former planning commission member, expressed a sense of optimism for the future of the city and thanked the city workers who recently agreed to changes in salary and benefit schedules that have helped create a budget surplus in LFP. He closed by telling the audience he hoped all those present would commit to participating in city government so that all voices will be heard.

John Resha is sworn in by Judge Linda Portnoy
Photo by Phillippa Kassover

John Resha, former city councilman in Redmond, and currently a legislative analyst for the King County Council thanked his wife and four children “for all they have put up with and will continue to put up with” as he takes on his new role. Resha thanked all those present for what they have done to help make LFP a wonderful city and said he believes there is a great team in place to keep LFP a great place to live.

Hilda Thompson begins her city council term
Photo by Phillippa Kassover

Hilda Thompson, a full-time student at Seattle University and a lifetime resident of LFP, expressed her gratitude to all those who helped with her election, saying she is honored to have been elected  and described her win as “humbling experience.” Born and raised in LFP, Thompson wants the city to progress because she plans to live out her future in the city.

John Wright begins his
second term of office

John Wright, a retired Master Chief from the US Navy and now an engineer with King County Metro, is returning for his second term on the LFP council. He thanked everyone who turned out for the occasion, remarking that is was hard to believe that four years ago he began his first term knowing he had ideas, but not knowing if they could be implemented. He is pleased that some of his ideas have taken hold. 

Wright told the audience that LFP has an outstanding city staff, a remark greeted with enthusiastic applause from the audience. Wright closed by saying he is excited to roll up his sleeves and get to work because he believes great things are happening in the city.

Mayor Mary Jane Goss closed the ceremony by reminding the community that everyone has something to say and that all points of view are valuable. She also described the spirit of the community by thanking a group of local residents for their dramatic Sunday afternoon rescue of a woman from her car that burst into flames after being rear-ended by a semi-truck at Bothell and Ballinger. Mayor Goss encouraged the community to work on communication with each other and keep LFP the beautiful place it is.

The ceremony was followed by a reception for the councilmembers and the community.