Sunday, July 20, 2025
48.0°F

Sun Hwang named Mattawa mayor pro tem

RACHAL PINKERTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 7 months AGO
by RACHAL PINKERTON
Staff Writer | December 9, 2020 1:00 AM

MATTAWA — The Mattawa City Council chose a new mayor pro tem, Sun Hwang, during its regular, online meeting Dec. 3.

The position of mayor pro tem was held by Councilman Brian Berghout since former mayor Scott Hyndman became the mayor of Mattawa.

“I have been mayor pro tem for a while,” Berghout said. “I think it is best that I step down and let another individual do it.”

Two different council members were nominated for the position -- Alex Heredia and Hwang. Heredia was nominated by Berghout, while Hwang was nominated by council members Tony Acosta, Wendy Lopez and Silvia Barajas.

“I think it is a good idea for Sun to be nominated,” Barajas said. “He is a good councilman, a business owner and he works well with you (Mayor Maggie Celaya). He brings good ideas to the table.”

Hwang responded to the nominations by saying that he would be honored to be given the mayor pro tem position.

“This is a hard time for changing anything,” Hwang said. “I was hoping that the transition (to a new mayor) would be smooth. I’m honored to take the pro tem position. Thank you.”

When put to a vote, Hwang was voted the position with Berghout opposed.

Hwang is a business owner in Mattawa and currently owns a trailer park and apartments. He has been on the Mattawa City Council for almost five years.

MORE LOCAL-NEWS STORIES

Stepping down: Mattawa mayor Scott Hyndman resigns
Columbia Basin Herald | Updated 4 years, 7 months ago
Leadership shuffled at Mattawa City Hall
Columbia Basin Herald | Updated 11 years, 2 months ago
Maria Celaya appointed as Mattawa mayor
Columbia Basin Herald | Updated 4 years, 7 months ago

ARTICLES BY RACHAL PINKERTON

Agriculture department fights gypsy moths in Cowlitz County
June 10, 2021 1 a.m.

Agriculture department fights gypsy moths in Cowlitz County

SILVER LAKE - The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has begun treatments for the eradication of gypsy moth in the Silver Lake area of Cowlitz County. The treatments are being sprayed from the air on approximately 640 areas of land.

June 20, 2021 1 a.m.

Potato news: Japanese tariffs down; Potato U announced

JAPAN - Frozen fries will now be able to enter Japan tariff free. Japan announced at the beginning of April that it was eliminating the 2.1% tariff on frozen fries from the US, as part of the US-Japan Trade Agreement, according to the Washington State Potato Commission.

April 21, 2021 1 a.m.

Mattawa residents express concerns: Fear of retaliation, hostility cited; administrative assistant resigns

A few community members expressed concerns about the City of Mattawa and mayor firing Police Chief Joe Harris at a city council meeting Thursday.