It’s a very familiar face in the position as new mayor of Thompson Falls.

Jerry Lacy, who retired in September as T-Falls Public Works Director after serving for 27 years, replaces Sheets as mayor and he was sworn in during a special council meeting Monday, Nov. 5. Lacy was to preside over his first meeting, held this Monday.

Sheets, who began serving as T-Falls mayor in January 2016, submitted his resignation at the Oct. 8 council meeting. He had been appointed to the post and then elected in November 2015.

At that meeting, Sheets said, “It’s not a health issue, it is a time issue.” The responsibilities as mayor were taking up more time than he had anticipated. He was happy to be available for help with the transition to the new mayor, which wound up being a person he worked with for quite some time.

“He was great to work with,” Lacy said of Sheets last Friday. “We had a really good working relationship. He had a lot of faith in department heads.

“I’m pretty familiar with the (town) operation and facilities,” Lacy said, “and what’s going on with the city. I worked closely with the financial administration and police department, and there is a good relationship between the city and the county.”

Lacy said the town currently has a lot of infrastructure and planning projects, and his being mayor will provide continuity and leadership.

T-Falls is nearly halfway through the fiscal year, and Lacy and the council will work with new public works director Neil Harnett on projects. Harnett has been with the department for about 20 years.

“We have a real good staff here. There is a lot of cooperation between the council and the mayor’s office, “ Lacy said.

He plans to serve as mayor until the term ends in December 2019. An election in November next year will be held for the mayor’s position.