Comings, goings on Sultan, Monroe city councils

The final city council meetings of 2015 in Monroe and Sultan last week had several similarities. Both groups said farewell to an eight-year councilmember, swore in returning councilmembers and welcomed somebody new.

Monroe City Council

In Monroe, Councilmember Kurt Goering said goodbye to Monroe Mayor Geoffrey Thomas and his fellow councilmembers, after serving three consecutive terms of office. In his eight years on the council, Goering worked with three different mayors and 15 different councilmembers.

A Monroe resident since 1998, Goering focused on fiscal responsibility and employing a common-sense approach during his time on the council. During his most recent term, he was highly engaged in the development of the city's updated Comprehensive Plan, attending joint planning commission meetings and providing careful feedback throughout the lengthy process. -á -á

Goering and his wife, Debbie, have three children; Kellan, Gannon and Lilly. Debbie and their 12-year-old daughter, Lilly, addressed the council.

"For eight years, my dad has given up his Tuesday evenings to serve the city of Monroe. It hasn't always been easy for my dad, the other councilmembers, the mayor, and I'm sure the city of Monroe employees, who more frequently hear all of the things they've done wrong or what people don't like more than they hear all of the things done well,GÇ¥ Lilly said. "To you all, I say thank you for your sacrifice.GÇ¥

Debbie spoke next, addressing Kurt directly.

"Thank you for showing your children what commitment and integrity look like. Thank you for showing them how to stand up for what you believe in,GÇ¥ Debbie said. "Thank you for showing us, as a family, what it looks like to be treated less than graciously by others, and instead of responding in kind, you choose grace. You have made us all very proud.GÇ¥

Thomas presented Goering with an appreciation award featuring the nameplate that decorated Goering's seat on the council for the past eight years. Monroe Police Chief Tim Quenzer honored Goering with a "Chief's Coin,GÇ¥ to acknowledge Goering's graduation from Monroe's citizens academy and unwavering support of the department.

"You always supported us, and we really do appreciate that,GÇ¥ Quenzer said.

Councilmembers Jeff Rasmussen, Kevin Hanford, Jim Kamp, Ed Davis and Jason Gamble all thanked Goering for his service. Goering said a few final words and thanked city staff, including Human Resources Manager Ben Warthan, Finance Director Dianne Nelson and Parks Director Mike Farrell.

"There's been good times and bad times. Not easy times, but we've accomplished a lot of things in the last eight years,GÇ¥ Goering said. "I love this town.GÇ¥

Returning councilmembers Jason Gamble, Jim Kamp and Ed Davis were sworn in for another four years of service. Newly elected Councilmember Kirk Scarboro was sworn in to the at-large seat, which is the Monroe City Council's only two-year seat. The 21-year Monroe resident comes from a military background, having served for 28 years in the United States Navy, including on SEAL teams and as a SEAL instructor.

He served three tours in Vietnam and was deployed in both Desert Shield and Desert Storm.-á -á

Sultan City Council

In Sultan, eight-year Sultan City Councilmember Sarah Davenport-Smith said her final goodbyes after being honored by Mayor Carolyn Eslick. Eslick recognized many of her accomplishments while serving on the council, including the successful completion of the city's updated Comprehensive Plan, several road reconstruction projects, the newly constructed Sultan Boys & Girls Club and improved community relationships.

Eslick commended Davenport-Smith for her efforts in Olympia, which involved countless trips to the state capitol on behalf of the city. Davenport-Smith was one of the founding members of the Sky Valley Community Coalition, a grassroots effort to reduce the negative impacts of drug and alcohol use among Sky Valley youth. The coalition's charter was eventually taken over by the Sky Valley Community Alliance, which is chaired by Sultan resident Calei Vaughn.-á -á

Davenport-Smith told the council that she was leaving her position without any regrets. She didn't regret her service, and she didn't regret choosing not to serve for another term.

"I've learned and grown so much in the past eight years; two children, one deployment, one business and many other adventures,GÇ¥ Davenport-Smith said. "My purpose for doing this final farewell address as a city councilmember is more for the benefit of everyone here rather than me, and my goal is to leave a legacy of life.GÇ¥

Davenport-Smith thanked her family for their patience throughout her service.

"I want to especially thank my family, my incredible husband and my two beautiful daughters,GÇ¥ Davenport-Smith said. "Thank you for sharing me ' for the many hours that I've missed being at home or different family functions. I really appreciate you giving me this opportunity.GÇ¥

Eslick was sworn in for another term as the mayor, and Jeffrey Beeler was sworn in for another term on the city council. Returning Councilmember Joe Neigel was not in attendance, and will be sworn in during a future meeting. New Councilmember Russell Wiita was sworn in to fill Davenport-Smith's seat, having triumphed at the polls over opponent Bart Dalmasso. Wiita, 21, recently graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor's degree in political science.

Wiita was the Sultan City Council student representative during his junior year at Sultan High School, and served on the student senate while at UW. He completed a policy internship in Olympia earlier this year, working with 39th District Representatives Dan Kristiansen and Elizabeth Scott.

Wiita, who just began working at the University of Washington School of Law, campaigned on the slogan "Sultan's Best Days are Ahead.GÇ¥ Wiita won the election with more than 75 percent of the vote.