LAKE STEVENS – A Boeing Co. executive and longtime community leader will be the city’s new mayor.
Clem LaVerne “Vern” Little, 52, was appointed from the City Council on Monday night to replace Lynn Walty, who resigned from office Oct. 13.
Little will serve out the remaining 14 months of Walty’s term.
“I’m ready,” Little said.
Little was appointed in a 6-1 vote during a special City Council meeting.
City Councilman Arnold “Arnie” Clark, who has said that he plans to run for mayor next year, was the sole vote against Little.
Little also said he plans to run for mayor when his term expires.
Little said he will continue the city’s aggressive annexation plan with the goal of creating one community around the lake.
“We plan to go forward with the exact same plan that the council has put in place,” he said.
Topping his to-do list will be hiring a city administrator by the end of the year, he said.
Police Chief Randy Celori has recommended finance director Jan Berg for the job.
Little takes the helm during a period of rapid city growth.
The city’s population will nearly double this year, as will the number of city staff members.
In January, the city annexed 855 acres in the North Lake area, bringing the city’s population to about 10,000 from about 7,700.
In December, the city is scheduled to annex the Frontier Village area on the west side of the lake, adding another 708 acres and 3,700 people.
The vote to appoint a new mayor came after a celebration for Walty.
Walty, 65, resigned last month, citing personal and professional reasons.
He said the time had come for someone else to lead the city.
Walty endorsed Little for the job.
Councilman Tom Hartwell agreed that Little is the right person for the job.
“I think he has the leadership skills and knowledge of the city’s workings at this time to get us where we need to go,” he said.
Little is a senior quality manager at Boeing, where he’s worked for 29 years.
He said he manages a staff of 163 and a budget of $34 million.
The father of four children has served as a city councilman since 2004 and has a long record of community service.
He has lived in the area for 20 years and was active with the Lake Stevens Junior Athletic Association for 13 years, including serving as president for three years.
Little resigned his seat on the City Council. That position will be filled by appointment.
Councilwoman Heather Coleman has said she hopes someone from the newly annexed areas will apply to fill the vacancy.
Reporter Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437 or jholtz@heraldnet.com.
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