MONROE – A local pastor was sworn in as a new city councilman on Tuesday.
John Stima has replaced former City Councilman Jeff Frye, who stepped down after moving out of the city limits a few months ago.
“Monroe is a good city,” Stima said. “We love it. I just feel humble to be able to serve it.”
Stima said he was one of the two candidates who applied for the vacancy. They talked to each other, and the other candidate withdrew his application, Stima said.
Stima is expected to stay on the seven-member council through 2011. Stima will run unopposed for a four-year term in this fall’s election.
“He will be fine. I think all the new council members have a lot to learn,” City Councilman Tony Balk said.
Stima’s pay is $100 per meeting, city clerk Betty King said. The council usually meets four times a month.
Stima started Monroe Baptist Church in town eight years ago. As a pastor, he spends a lot of time in town and knows what people’s needs are, he said.
“I just want to help and serve,” he said.
Asked about what his top issues are, Stima chuckled and said: “Traffic, traffic, traffic are top three issues.”
Monroe, with a population of about 16,000, is growing fast, Stima said. He wants the city to keep growing without losing its traditional values, said Stima, 38.
“I’d like to preserve the small town in a sense that people know one another and everyone helps each other,” he said.
Stima is the second city councilman chosen by the council this year.
In late May, David Kennedy, a Monroe lawyer, became a councilman, replacing Ken Berger. Berger resigned in April, saying he wanted to spare the city from discord caused by a recall effort against him.
Kennedy is also running unopposed this fall.
Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara: 425-339-3029 or ynohara@heraldnet.com.
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