Hankins named Moses Lake mayor; Myers deputy mayor
R. HANS MILLER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 11 months AGO
Councilmember Dean Hankins, left, was voted into the Moses Lake mayoral seat Tuesday evening, while council member Don Myers was voted into office as deputy mayor. Both have terms ending Dec. 31, 2023.
City of Moses Lake/Courtesy photos
Managing Editor Rob Miller is a 4-year U.S. Army veteran who grew up in Western Montana in a community about the size of Soap Lake. An honors graduate of Texas State University, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Brandee, and their three dogs, Draco, Pepper and Cinnamon. He has one son, William. During his free time, he enjoys photography, video games, reading and working on the house he and his wife bought in Ephrata. He is passionate about the First Amendment and educating communities. | January 13, 2022 1:05 AM
The city of Moses Lake has a new mayor, as city council members voted to elect Dean Hankins to the role during their Tuesday evening meeting.
“Now I feel like we’ve just entered into the Twilight Zone,” Hankins said. “First of all, I’d like to say thank you for the vote of confidence in performing these duties. Even with the limited duties the mayor has in this form of government, I consider this a privilege and honor, and I will do my best to not make people who voted for me regret it in the future.”
Prior to the nominations of Hankins, as well as council members Don Myers and David Eck for the role, Moses Lake City Manager Allison Williams explained the role of a mayor in a council-manager city form of government. The mayor is the chairperson of the council, she said, and presides over meetings. The mayor is also recognized as the head of the city for ceremonial purposes and by the governor for the purpose of military law, she said. While the sitting mayor has no regular administrative duties, during a public emergency, the mayor may take charge of the police to maintain law and order.
Newly elected council member Mark Fancher nominated Hankins for the mayoral role with Dustin Swartz, Fancher and Hankins also voting in Hankins favor. Council member David Eck was nominated by Deanna Martinez for the role and both she and Eck voted for him. Council member Judy Madewell nominated Myers and she and Myers cast votes for him.
Myers was confirmed as deputy mayor shortly after the vote installing Hankins as mayor. The deputy mayor serves as mayor whenever the sitting head of the council is not able to perform those duties, Williams said.
For Madewell, Swartz and Fancher, Tuesday’s meeting was their first on the council after the Nov. 3, 2021, election put them ahead of incumbents and challengers. Martinez took her seat in December when Mike Riggs resigned after losing to Martinez.
The next regular Moses Lake City Council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 25 at 401 S. Balsam St. Anyone wishing to attend online may do so through the Zoom link in the agenda which will be posted at https://bit.ly/MLAGENDAS.
R. Hans Miller can be reached via email at [email protected].
(Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify when Martinez took her council seat.)
ARTICLES BY R. HANS MILLER
Ferguson, GOP submit supplemental budgets
OLYMPIA — Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has released his proposed supplemental budget for the upcoming legislative session which is set to start Jan. 12. The governor submits his proposal and the legislature sets their own priorities as a budget is worked out. “I’m providing a road map to the legislature,” Ferguson said during a Tuesday press conference. “This is, of course, the first step in a conversation about how best to balance our budget. Legislators will, of course, have their own ideas, and obviously, I've had conversations with leadership in recent weeks regarding my proposed budget. I'm looking forward to continuing to work with them and all members, of course, of the legislature as this proposed budget moves over to the legislative branch.”
Local group holds holiday give-away
MOSES LAKE — Moms Helping Moms of Grant County – a Facebook group that has grown to include parents of both sexes and people of all ages – held a Christmas give-away event at Rick’s in Moses Lake last week.
WSP warns of scams in wake of trooper's death
OLYMPIA — The Washington State Patrol is asking the public to respect the family’s privacy and to be mindful of potential scams after Trooper Tara-Marysa Guting was killed in a roadside accident near Tacoma Friday. “Though we are grateful for the intended kindness and support, the Washington State Patrol does not accept monetary donations from the public,” said WSP Director of Public Affairs in a statement released Tuesday.