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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| John Wright begins his second term of office |
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.
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