Tom Odell sworn in as Sammamish mayor
January 6, 2012
By Caleb Heeringa
New: Jan. 6, 3:09 p.m.
Tom Odell was named the mayor of Sammamish Jan. 3.
Odell, who took his council seat in 2010, takes over the position from Don Gerend, who has held it for the last three years. The mayorship is mostly a ceremonial position under the “council-manager” form of government followed by Sammamish. Odell will be charged with running the council meetings and tasked with representing the city at regional events and ribbon cuttings, but his vote carries no more weight than that of any other councilmember when it comes to policy decisions.
Odell will serve a two-year term as mayor.
The new mayor said he was “humbled” and thanked Gerend for his leadership over the last three years. He said he looked forward to maintaining Sammamish as a safe community, balancing growth with environmental protection and getting the community moving on Town Center and a potential community and aquatic center.
“I hope we can maintain our position as a top city,” Odell said. “(Being the 15th best small town in the country according to Money Magazine) is good, but I want to work on improving that.”
Councilman John James will take over as Deputy Mayor, the position previously held by Odell. The deputy mayor position is a one-year term.
Reporter Caleb Heeringa can be reached at 392-6434. ext. 247, or cheeringa@isspress.com.
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