MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — Mayor Jerry Smith died overnight after attending a City Council meeting Thursday evening.
Smith, 77, had led Mountlake Terrace’s mayor-council government since 2004. He was first elected to the council in 2001.
“The mayor passed away peacefully in his sleep last night,” City Clerk Virginia Olsen confirmed Friday.
A U.S. Army veteran and former Seattle police officer, Smith lived in town for more than 40 years, according to his biography on the city website. He was the president of Tour de Terrace, the city’s annual summer festival. He was a leader in civic groups for youth sports, seniors and public safety.
Smith and his wife, Judi, had two children and two grandchildren, the online bio says. He was active with the Nile Shriners.
During Smith’s time in office, he helped the city of more than 21,000 people chart plans to revitalize the downtown core. The Park & Ride lot on I-5 grew into the Mountlake Terrace Transit Center, which is preparing to welcome light rail in 2024. The city golf course on Lake Ballinger closed and is now a city park.
The city embarked on a $12.5 million voter-approved project to build a new city hall and expand the police department.
Mayor Bob Colinas in the neighboring town of Brier got to know Smith while serving on boards that oversee emergency radio systems and 911 service. They had been close since 2005.
“Jerry’s going to be missed, not only in Mountlake Terrace, but throughout south Snohomish County,” Colinas said. “Jerry just represented the people of Mountlake Terrace very well.”
Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465; nhaglund@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @NWhaglund.
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