Mayor Randy Westlund's first act after being sworn into office Tuesday was to address concerns about transparency on his choice of selecting a council candidate for Seat No. 5.

“For the first time ever, we are recording and livestreaming this during the regular meeting so that everyone can see the process unfold,” Westlund said. “This is maximum transparency and it’s exactly the process that Trump used with his nominees that needed Senate confirmations.” 

He said professionalism and competency were his priorities in a candidate when he nominated attorney Jack Mosby for his newly open seat.

“Post Falls is going to be an exciting and forward-looking city. We will reward innovative thinking, find new ways of doing things and set the standard for what it means to be a conservative city in Idaho,” Westlund said. 

The majority of the council members voted for Mosby, with one vote no from Nathan Ziegler. 

Prior to the meeting, City Councilor Samantha Steigleder noted that past appointments for Seat No. 2 and Seat No. 6 and said the council interview process “had drawbacks.”   

"This approach felt better than the mayor simply presenting a single nominee with no prior council interaction,” Steigleder said.  

Councilors Aaron Plew, Nathan Ziegler and Marc Lucca were also sworn into office. Then, the business turned to interviewing Mosby to get a sense of his potential position on the council. 

“What compels you to put the time and effort into the city of Post Falls?" Plew asked. 

“This is home, I would like to see it thrive,” Mosby said. 

Mosby’s law practice focuses on real estate. He served for five years in the United States Marine Corps.

“Why was that you hadn’t run in our most recent election?” Steigleder asked. 

Mosby said he had considered running for a council seat before, but was unsure if it was the right time. 

When Westlund approached him for his seat, however, Mosby said things were different. 

“I think it was providence,” Mosby said. “I think it was what I needed to realize that I had a calling for this particular position.” 

City Councilor Joe Malloy noted “an inordinate number of vacancies” on the council in the last year and a half and asked Mosby if he would remain in office if appointed.  

“You’re a busy dude. You’re a lawyer, you have five kids, how much time do you expect to be able to put into this?” Malloy asked.

Mosby noted he had learned about the workload from speaking to Westlund and said he was willing to put in the time.

“I’m only going to do a good job,” Mosby said.

Councilor Lucca pushed Mosby to share some of his views before the members voted, noting he has frequently seen conservative politicians change once they came into office and were “baptized by the system.”  

“Where’s your line of this is where you don’t cross?” Lucca asked.  

Mosby said he prefers smaller government and that leadership is about service to the community.  

“If you’re not serving them, you’re serving yourself,” Mosby said.  

After sharing his political beliefs on conservative issues as examples, Lucca pushed Mosby to detail his views on locker room usage for children and abortion. 

Mosby answered that as a Catholic, his personal beliefs were taken from that framework. 

“I think that life begins at conception,” Mosby said. “I believe that boys do not belong in girls' locker rooms." 

Mosby said lifting up the voices of residents so they are a part of the process is his primary understanding of leadership.

"I will be listening," Mosby said.

    Some members of the audience at the Post Falls City Council meeting gave Mayor Randy Westlund a standing ovation as he was sworn into office Tuesday night.
  

    Jack Mosby was interviewed and voted in by Post Falls City Council on Tuesday for Seat No. 5. Post Falls Clerk Shannon Howard performed the swearing in ceremony.
  

    Nathan Ziegler, Aaron Plew and Marc Lucca are sworn in as city councilors by Post Falls Clerk Shannon Howard at the council meeting Tuesday.