Monroe picks Tuttle for city council

Published 3:17 pm Wednesday, June 9, 2010

MONROE — Bridgette Tuttle was appointed to the City Council Tuesday night by vote of 4-3 after interviewing alongside two other candidates.

Tuttle won office over Paul Loots and Edwin Davis.

She earned the votes of Mayor Robert Zimmerman and Councilmen Kurt Goering, John Stima and Tom Williams.

Tuttle said she’s looking forward to holding office.

“I like to be useful and contribute to my town,” said Tuttle, 36. “I believe it’s important to give back to the community.”

Now, she needs to get up to speed quickly on several issues. The city is facing a series of challenges this year that have kept the council hopping.

The budget is projected be in the black at year’s end, but not by much. The council also is working on multimillion-dollar land development deals.

And then there are the usual concerns about traffic, public safety and more.

Tuttle has experience in the community. She is a member of the Salem Woods Elementary School PTA, and previously ran for City Council in the August primary. She finished with 20 percent of the vote.

During her interview with the council for the open seat, she singled out a couple of issues she wants to help address.

“The budget is a major concern and traffic is a major concern, especially for someone like me, who’s here pretty much 24 hours a day,” she said.

Tuttle’s term runs through 2011.

She will finish the term of former Councilman David Kennedy, who resigned his seat on March 30.

The position pays $100 per meeting.

Andy Rathbun: 425-339-3455; arathbun@heraldnet.com.