Cooper takes the helm
Published on Thu, Jul 22, 2010 by Pat RatliffRead More News
Snohomish County Council member Mike Cooper was chosen to be the interim mayor of Edmonds, filling the position left open when Gary Haakenson resigned to take the position of Deputy Executive for Snohomish County.
The Edmonds City Council appointed him by a vote of 4-3 Tuesday night in short order, with the election taking just one ballot.
Council members Lora Petso, DJ Wilson, Strom Peterson and Adrienne Fraley-Monillas voted for Cooper, while Diane Buckshnis, Steve Bernheim and Michael Plunkett voted for Dick Van Hollebeke.
Cooper will be sworn-in Friday, July 23.
He cannot officially be sworn in until he has resigned his post on the Snohomish County Council, which he expected to do Wednesday.
Cooper thanked the council for electing him. He said he wanted to go to work immediately.
“Let’s get down to business and let’s get this city going,” he said.
City councilmembers seemed glad to be done with the job of picking the new mayor and ready to get on with other important city business.
But some still took the time for some good-natured ribbing.
“This is the first mayor that used to beat me up in the hallways in school,” Councilmember Michael Plunkett said. “I haven’t forgotten it.”
“Welcome aboard,” Councilmember DJ Wilson said. “You asked for it, now you’ve got it.”
Councilmember Strom Peterson looks favorably to a future with Cooper.
“You bring much needed skills to the city,” he said. “You know where we’ve been. That gives you an edge on where we can go.”
Mayor Pro-tem and council President Steve Bernheim also welcomed Cooper.
“You’re probably the candidate I support most enthusiastically, while voting against,” Bernheim said. “I look forward to working with you.”
Cooper jumps into the new job at an intense time.
Within the next few months, he must submit a balanced budget to council and negotiate salary talks with city union employees, in addition to managing the city’s day-to-day operations.
The Edmonds City Council appointed him by a vote of 4-3 Tuesday night in short order, with the election taking just one ballot.
Council members Lora Petso, DJ Wilson, Strom Peterson and Adrienne Fraley-Monillas voted for Cooper, while Diane Buckshnis, Steve Bernheim and Michael Plunkett voted for Dick Van Hollebeke.
Cooper will be sworn-in Friday, July 23.
He cannot officially be sworn in until he has resigned his post on the Snohomish County Council, which he expected to do Wednesday.
Cooper thanked the council for electing him. He said he wanted to go to work immediately.
“Let’s get down to business and let’s get this city going,” he said.
City councilmembers seemed glad to be done with the job of picking the new mayor and ready to get on with other important city business.
But some still took the time for some good-natured ribbing.
“This is the first mayor that used to beat me up in the hallways in school,” Councilmember Michael Plunkett said. “I haven’t forgotten it.”
“Welcome aboard,” Councilmember DJ Wilson said. “You asked for it, now you’ve got it.”
Councilmember Strom Peterson looks favorably to a future with Cooper.
“You bring much needed skills to the city,” he said. “You know where we’ve been. That gives you an edge on where we can go.”
Mayor Pro-tem and council President Steve Bernheim also welcomed Cooper.
“You’re probably the candidate I support most enthusiastically, while voting against,” Bernheim said. “I look forward to working with you.”
Cooper jumps into the new job at an intense time.
Within the next few months, he must submit a balanced budget to council and negotiate salary talks with city union employees, in addition to managing the city’s day-to-day operations.
