Lt. Jack Collins of the Airway Heights Fire Department wanted to find other ways to be involved within the community. Now he'll get that chance.
Collins was appointed to the City Council following the Aug. 4 meeting. He was one of four applicants to fill the vacant City Council Position 3 spot, previously held by Barron Williamson.
Collins, who has lived in Airway Heights for four years, was interested in serving on the council after seeing how decisions affected everyone in the city, especially the volunteers who "give their to time to the community."
"I wanted (to) make sure I was involved in that process to give a voice to those people that are involved, but they don't have a recollection of how these decisions are made," Collins said.
He ran for City Council Position 2 back in November 2013 but lost to current Councilman Steven Lawrence in the election.
During his interview at the July 21 meeting, Collins said he would like to focus on the budget, as well as be a voice for the community. He also said he would like to use social media to engage the younger residents in the city.
"If anyone wants to have a discussion with me, I'm very open," Collins said.
Councilwoman Tanya Dashiell was one of two council members to nominate Collins for the vacant council position. Dashiell said Collins approached her over the last two years, asking questions on how city government works and what he could do to become more involved. During that time, she became a mentor to him and walked him through the process.
"It's going to be exciting for him to advance along with the rest of the council and learn the ropes," Dashiell said. "It takes us a bit of time to get used to the position and what's expected of us, but it will be fun to work with him and assist him in growing in that position."
Collins will be allowed to continue serving with the Fire Department as long as the City Council approves of him doing so by two-thirds majority vote.
Collins' wife, Colleen, said she is proud of her husband taking the next step to be involved within the city.
"He's always helping people and it's hard not to get behind that," Colleen Collins said.
Now that he is in the position, Collins said he would like to learn more about the city government and help develop the community.
In other business:
• The City Council also approved a resolution to reduce the speed limit from 55 to 45 miles per hour on Highway 2 on the half-mile stretch south of Deer Heights Road and South Flint Road.
• Former Airway Heights Mayor Matthew Pederson was appointed to the city's Planning Commission.
• The city entered into a three-year contract with Contineo Technologies for IT management services.
• The city awarded MJM Grand Inc. for the $155,937.97 bid for the McFarlane Road Sewer project. The line will extend from Russell Road to the Exotic Metals facility on the end of Lawson Street on McFarlane Road.
Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].
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