Lynnwood’s City Council president and vice president both have praised for the city’s newly elected mayor and council members.
Council Vice President Sid Roberts said Tuesday that newly elected Mayor Nicola Smith and council members Christopher Boyer, Ian Cotton and Ruth Ross had stepped right into their positions.
Smith defeated former Mayor Don Gough in November, new Councilman Cotton won the position that former Councilman Mark Smith gave up to run for mayor in the August primary, Ross won the position in November that she had lost four years earlier, and Boyer won a full four-year term for the position that he had held by appointment for most of a year.
Council President Loren Simmonds said that Mayor Smith is doing well.
“She brings a collaborative spirit and a can-do attitude,” Simmonds said. “Her learning curve is steep, but she listens carefully and learns humbly. I expect her to lead boldly in the days ahead.”
Roberts said that the new mayor has lived up to a campaign promise of offering an administration and leadership style that Roberts calls refreshing.
“Mayor Smith has a keen sense of social intelligence and fair dealing that is apparent to all that work with her,” Roberts said. “She is consistently offering to meet with the public and garnering information from various sources. One of her most impressive qualities is that she is willing to inquire and seek advice. She is a quick study, takes notes and seeks collaboration in most all that she does. She is not an autocrat in any way. So while she has only two months on the job, I have been impressed.”
Roberts noted that the newly elected council members, except Cotton, aren’t new.
He said that Ross brings a strong historical background from her earlier eight years on the council and “a measure of wisdom that is seen and felt by her colleagues.”
He noted that Boyer has a head start from being appointed almost a year before winning the election.
“He is sagacious and astute in his observations and good at articulating them,” Roberts said.
“Ian Cotton, while new, was on the planning commission for a brief time before being elected to the council,” Roberts added. “As an electrical engineer, he brings that background of question and observational analysis to the table.
“So really, while there are new members at the table, they have jumped right into the discussion.”
Simmonds said that the council has been moving along smoothly. He said that new Councilman Cotton is “a delight to have on the team,” that Boyer is “an asset to the group and that Ross has stepped in without missing a beat.
Ross said Wednesday that she has found the new council has been both efficient and encouraging.
“We have a strong spirit of collaboration and everything has gone very smoothly,” she said. “We are not afraid to disagree, but so far we’ve managed to keep everything cordial and professional. This feels very much like a fresh start for Lynnwood.”
New Councilman Cotton says that he has enjoyed his first few months on the council.
“I enjoy being a part of such a great team,” he said Tuesday. “Each of us brings different viewpoints and perspectives to the table. Even more important is the focus that each of us possess to get things moving forward for the residents of Lynnwood that have entrusted us with the stewardship of their government.”
Cotton said that he has learned a lot in his short time on the council.
“The City Council has a lot of work ahead in 2014, with the budget and the Comprehensive Plan both on council’s plate for the year,” he said. “However I am glad to be working with this team of dedicated individuals.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
