By Jennifer Langston
Herald Writer
SNOHOMISH — Cameron Bailey will serve as mayor of Snohomish — presiding over city council meetings and representing the city throughout the region — following a 4-3 vote Tuesday night.
Bailey, a legislative assistant in the state House of Representatives and a fifth-generation state native, will hold the post for the next two years. He took the reins from fellow council member Doug Thorndike, who was mayor for the last two years.
Unlike most cities in Washington, the mayor of Snohomish is not elected by its citizens and does not run day-to-day operations. Instead, one city council member chosen by his or her peers holds the office.
Bailey was appointed to the Snohomish City Council in February 2000 to fill a vacancy, and won his first election last fall.
The mayor, who votes and holds the same authority as any other city council member, directs discussion and sets the tone during council meetings. The mayor also works with the city manager to set agendas, and tends to be a public figurehead who fields citizens’ complaints and concerns.
The entire city council in Snohomish appoints a city manager, who runs day-to-day operations and oversees employees. Snohomish is in the process of hiring a permanent city manager, who is expected to start work this spring.
Shawn Osborne, a third-year city council member, was elected mayor pro tempore in a 4-3 vote Tuesday night, taking over for Kurt Meacham. Osborne will assume mayoral duties if Bailey is unavailable.
Bailey and Osborne were both supported by fellow council members Chris Lundvall and Susan Palmer to win the four-vote majority.
Thorndike, Meacham and Liz Loomis were in the minority.
You can call Herald Writer Jennifer Langston at 425-339-3452
or send e-mail to langston@heraldnet.com.
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