Kennedy chosen for Medical Lake City Council vacancy

Medical Lake will finally operate with a full contingent of city council members following the selection of Don Kennedy as the replacement for John Paikuli at the conclusion of its Sept. 18 meeting

Kennedy, a noted volunteer on many fronts in Medical Lake, was the lone applicant for the opening and told the council after they emerged from an executive session where they considered his nomination that, "Medical Lake is a wonderful place to live," and it is his desire as a member of the council to make sure it stays that way.

When asked important issues he saw moving forward in his role it was safeguarding finances of the city and, "getting the most bang for the buck."

Kennedy was among just four citizens who inquired about filling the second council vacancy this year.

Paikuli resigned in July with the intention of moving his family back to his native Hawaii. Earlier this year, Elizabeth Rosenbeck filled the seat left open by John Merrick who stepped down from his duties due to unexpected work commitments.

In other matters, Re*Imagine Medical Lake president Gerri Johnson addressed the council in the public forum session prior to regular business, asking them if there had been a decision on city involvement in the planned display of the Moving Wall Vietnam War tribute next June.

She was told that the matter was still being considered by staff, but that City Administrator Doug Ross would work to expedite that. Johnson informed the council that they were working under tight deadlines to ensure the display will occur during the week of Founder's Day 2019.

Another Re*Imagine volunteer, Terri Cooper, took time to address both the planned Halloween Festival on Saturday, Oct. 27, and asked council to consider helping the group to be able to put a promotional flier in city utility bills. Ross said that could be done.

In a more personal matter, Cooper told council of a burglary at her family's residence over Labor Day weekend where perpetrators were inside their home for hours and stole tens of thousands of dollars worth of items.

Her point was to question the effectiveness of the police services offered by Spokane County when it took over an hour to have a deputy respond to take an incident report.

"Medical Lake is a soft target," she said.

Telling those present, "I don't feel safe here anymore and I've lived here for 38 years." Among other things, Cooper urged the formation of a Block Watch program where neighbors look out for one another.

Jessa Lewis, a Democrat candidate for the 6th District State Senate seat, introduced herself and spoke to her concerns that Eastern Washington is being left behind, and that is something she would hope to help fix is she defeats her Republican opponent, Jeff Holy, in November.

Earlier in the day, Mayor Shirley Maike attended the ribbon-cutting and official grand opening of the West Plains Transit Center at I-90 and State Route 902.

Ross asked for and received his request to set Tuesday, Oct. 16 as a legally mandated public hearing on revenue sources and possible increases in property increases and will take place in council chambers at 6:30 p.m.

A second and final reading on the planned vacation of a portion of Hallet Street was also completed with no public comment.

After a summer where the council met just once a month, meetings now will return to their regular schedule on the first and third Tuesday, the next being Oct. 2 at 6:30 p.m.

Paul Delaney can be reached at [email protected].