Soap Lake appoints mayor pro tem, council member steps down
NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 2 months AGO
Soap Lake Mayor Peter Sharp administers the Oath of Office to the two newly appointed Soap Lake City Council members, Eli Olson and JoAnn Rushton at the Oct. 16 Soap Lake City Council meeting. Rushton stepped down from city council during the Feb. 5 meeting, leaving an open city council spot.
FILE PHOTO
SOAP LAKE — Karen Woodhouse was named mayor pro tem at the Feb. 5 Soap Lake City Council meeting. The council passed Woodhouse’s appointment unanimously. Council Member JoAnne Rushton also gave the council a letter prior to the meeting stepping down from her role on the council, opening a city council spot, according to Mayor Peter Sharp.
On Aug. 7 former Soap Lake Allen DuPay stepped down. Then-former Mayor Pro Tem Leslie Taylor stepped down during the Aug. 20 meeting and Sharp, formerly a council member, was appointed to mayor pro tem during the same meeting. Taylor later stepped down from the council altogether leaving one open position on the council. Sharp was appointed mayor during the Sept. 8 meeting. This then left two open positions on the city council. During the Oct. 16 meeting, the council appointed both JoAnne Rushton and Eli Olson, filling both open spots.
“(Rushton) just said she has other things in her life right now that are more important right now,” Sharp said.
Sharp said the city will open an application for a new city council member next week, stating the city has 14 days to notify and open the application. Then, Soap Lake has 90 days to fill the position.
ARTICLES BY NANCE BESTON
‘Show up’
Local leaders say community voices shape schools, cities and trust
WARDEN — When Warden Mayor Rosaelia Martinez looked out over the audience at the April 28 Warden City Council meeting, she didn’t see empty seats. She saw neighbors. “First of all, before we start, I want to say thank you to all those that came to the meeting tonight,” Martinez said. “I know we are all busy people, and I really appreciate your input. Your time is valuable and we appreciate you being here.” That message – that showing up matters – was echoed by city and school leaders across the Columbia Basin, many of whom say public participation directly shapes decision-making, transparency and long‑term planning.
Warden council bans kratom, considers parking regulations
WARDEN — Warden City Council passed a kratom ban and special event permit Tuesday night. It also discussed its comprehensive plan update and an ordinance for parking regulations. Around 17 residents were in attendance, a fairly large showing for a Warden council meeting. “First of all, before we start, I want to say thank you to all those that came to the meeting tonight,” Mayor Rosaelia Martinez said. “I know we are all busy people, and I really appreciate your input because it really validates what a lot of people are hoping to achieve in the city. Thank you. Your time is valuable and we appreciate you being here.”
Columbia Basin Hospital nominates Allred for board
EPHRATA — The Columbia Basin Hospital received one application for a vacant seat on the Board of Commissioners for Public Hospital District No. 3. Dr. Lowell Allred has applied for the role. He was officially nominated for the role at the April 28 board of commissioners meeting. “Public notice of this nomination shall occur between April 29 and May 14, to allow time for registered voters residing in the hospital district to also submit nominees for the vacant position,” said Chief Executive Officer Rosalinda Kibby.