By Pat Jenkins The Dispatch Eatonville Mayor Mike Schaub confessed to some stage fright as he presided over his first Town Council meeting since being elected two months ago. "It's a little nervous being at the microphone and from this angle,GÇ¥ a smiling Schaub said during the meeting Jan. 6 at Eatonville Community Center. As the town's treasurer, a position he held for six years before beating former councilman Gordon Bowman in the general election in November, Schaub sat with the council at its meetings but seldom spoke during the proceedings unless there was a major discussion involving financial matters. Schaub was one of several elected officials who found themselves in unfamiliar roles with the town as the new year dawned. Bob Walter and Andy Powell were also elected in November to their first terms on the council. Walter has the seat previously held by Bob Schaub, who didn't run for re-election, and Powell replaces Bowman, who ran for mayor instead of another council term. Powell, Walter and Schaub, who officially took office Dec. 26, are part of a new look in the town's elected leadership. Ray Harper, who was mayor the past four years, didn't seek re-election to that post but did run for the council, losing to Walter. With the appointment last fall of James Schrimpsher to replace former councilman Jim Valentine, who resigned in August, Brenden Pierce is the only council member who's been in office for more than two years. Pierce alluded to his seniority during the Jan. 6 meeting when he quipped, "I can't believe I'm the old man on the council.GÇ¥ Bob Schaub, who's the father of Mike Schaub, was in the audience as the new mayor took the town's reins. "I'll be meeting with the (town) staff to let them know my goals and where I'm coming from,GÇ¥ Schaub said. In other business, the council appointed its members to committees that will review any matters that might eventually be taken to the full council for discussion or action. The committee chairmen and members, in order, are: " Airport: Pierce and Walter. " Public Safety: Abby Gribi and Schrimpsher. " Finance: Gribi and Pierce. " Public Utilities: Powell and Pierce. " Legislative: Schrimpsher and Walter. " Visitor Center: Gribi and Powell.
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