Maria Celaya appointed new Mattawa mayor
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years AGO
Maria Celaya (right) has been appointed as the new mayor in Mattawa. Celaya was sworn in Nov. 25 by Mattawa city clerk Anabel Martinez (left).
Maria Celaya (right) was appointed as the new mayor of Mattawa by the Mattawa City Council Nov. 25. She was sworn in by Mattawa city clerk Anabel Martinez (left).
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | December 2, 2020 1:00 AM
MATTAWA — Maria Celaya, formerly a member of the Mattawa City Council, was appointed mayor of Mattawa last month.
The appointment came after a council meeting earlier in the day Nov. 25, where she was selected by a unanimous vote. Council members chose Celaya after a 45-minute executive session and after Mayor pro tem Brian Berghout and council member Silvia Barajas also expressed interest in the mayor’s job.
She will be in office until the next municipal election in November 2021.
Celaya replaces Scott Hyndman, who announced his resignation Nov. 23.
Celaya has been on the council since March 2010. She said in an interview after she was appointed that her interest in city government was sparked while serving as an interpreter for council meetings.
“I want to give back to my community,” she said.
Celaya is a Mattawa native. She volunteers at her church, Our Lady of the Desert Catholic Church, she said, and is a 10-year volunteer with the Red Cross.
Celaya also is a second grade teacher at Mattawa Elementary School.
“Empowering our youth is one of my biggest things,” she said.
That includes encouraging Mattawa kids to continue their education or training beyond high school.
“It’s doable,” she said.
One of the ideas she said she wanted to pursue was providing internships with the city for Wahluke students.
Celaya also said she wants to meet with the city council and staff to review where the city is and where it should be going next. One project that’s already in the works is the expansion of Mattawa City Hall.
Celaya’s appointment leaves a vacant seat on the council. People who want to apply for the seat can submit a letter of interest to Mattawa City Hall, PO Box 965, Mattawa, WA 99349. Letters of interest also can be emailed to Mattawa city clerk Anabel Martinez at [email protected].
Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at [email protected].
ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Othello approves $29M budget for 2026
OTHELLO — The city of Othello is projected to spend about $10.1 million from its general fund in 2026, the biggest part of a $29 million overall budget. Council members approved the 2026 budget earlier this month, and city Finance Director Spencer Williams said budget planning started in late summer.
New Othello mayor, council members sworn into office.
OTHELLO — New Othello Mayor Ken Johnson and two of three new Othello City Council members were sworn in Monday during the last council meeting of 2025. Alma Carmona and Kelli Camp joined Johnson Monday for the swearing-in.
Outgoing Othello council members recognized for their work
OTHELLO — Outgoing Othello City Council members were recognized at the last meeting of the year Monday. “It’s been a huge honor in my life, the biggest honor I could ever think of, serving with every single person up here on this council, with past council members and with the staff of the city,” said council member Corey Everett. “We have a phenomenal staff in this city. Not only department heads – it’s everybody. I feel very honored to work with everybody here.”