PORT TOWNSEND — David King received a unanimous endorsement from the Port Townsend City Council to serve a second two-year term as mayor after Deputy Mayor Kris Nelson declined a nomination.
King was nominated by Councilwoman Catharine Robinson with no statement made and no second required.
Councilman Bob Gray then nominated Nelson as mayor, saying he thought King had “been an outstanding mayor for the last two years” but favored a change in leadership.
“Having someone new every two years allows us to refocus, re-energize and start afresh, and this gives us a really good opportunity in this system,” Gray said.
“Kris Nelson has represented the city well, and her presentation skills are excellent, she knows where we’ve been, where we are going and always has a positive attitude.”
Nelson declines
Nelson immediately declined the nomination.
“I am flattered, honored, humbled and a little speechless,” she said.
“I hope that someday that I will be a great mayor, but today and for the next few years, I really think that David King has done some hard work and done a fantastic job, which is like leading a group of cats.
“We all have our own wants and needs, our own personalities, and David does an exceptional job of listening to people and incorporating their needs.”
Since there were no other nominations, the vote was cast with a show of hands.
King was sworn in as mayor and Nelson as deputy mayor.
Port Townsend has a council manager system in which the largely ceremonial mayoral position is filled by a member of the council, elected by a majority vote.
Both King and Nelson were elected to four-year terms in 2011.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
