PRESS RELEASE
CITY OF LEAVENWORTH
700 HIGHWAY 2
POST OFFICE BOX 287
LEAVENWORTH, WASHINGTON 98826
TELEPHONE: (509) 548-5275
FAX: (509) 548-6429
October 19, 2016
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Joel Walinski
City Administrator
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Mr. John Bangsund appointed to fill vacant position on
City of Leavenworth City Council
Mr. John Bangsund was appointed to the vacant position on the Leavenworth City Council Tuesday October 18, 2016. Yesterday afternoon the City Council conducted interviews of the 2 candidates that had provided completed applications for the position. Ms. Sharon Waters and Mr. John Bangsund. After completion of the interviews, the Council vote on appointment was 3 in favor of Bangsund and 3 for Waters. Mayor Cheryl Farivar broke the tie with a vote for Bangsund. Prior to casting her vote Mayor Farivar asked for a moment of contemplation as both candidates were longtime residents of the City and heartfelt friends of the Mayor. After casting the vote for Mr. Bangsund, the Mayor asked a round of applause for Ms. Waters.
John M. Bangsund is serving his second term on the Leavenworth City Council. He was elected to office in 2013 and served a two year term before conceding to Councilmember Gretchen Wearne in his re-election bid. He has previously served the community as a Fire Commissioner of Chelan County Fire District #3 for 18 years. John was the founding principal of Upper Valley Christian School in Leavenworth and continued there until 2010 when he retired. He has also served as an assistant football coach at Cascade High School since 1986 through 2015. Together, he and his wife Kathy operate an Adult Family Home, The Dwelling Place, home of the 5 Amigos. John grew up in Seattle, graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in 1971, and then moved to Western Alaska where he and Kathy taught school in three small Eskimo villages for 7 years before they moved to Leavenworth and the Icicle Valley in 1978.
Mr. Bangsund will take his oath of office prior to the October 25, 2016 Council Meeting. The term for this position runs through December 31, 2017 Under Washington law qualified applicants must be a registered voter, must reside within the City, and have lived within the City limits for at least one year.
