Commissioners-Elect Wayne Fournier of District 4 and Emily Clouse of District 5 were sworn into office on Tuesday, marking the expansion of the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) from three to five members. New Port of Olympia Commissioners Maggie Sanders (District 4) and Sarah Tonge (District 5) were sworn in at the mid-day event held at the county offices on Pacific Avenue in Olympia.
The certification of the 2023 general election paved the way for this change, with Commissioner Carolina Mejia, Chair of the Board, swearing-in Commissioners Clouse and Fournier and County Auditor Mary Hall swearing in Commissioners Sanders and Tonge.
The two new port commissioners and Commissioner Clouse took their oaths just before 1 p.m. Clouse participated in the afternoon board meetings on the same day.
Commissioner Clouse expressed gratitude, saying, “I am deeply honored and humbled by the trust placed in me by the residents of Thurston County, and I pledge to serve with unwavering dedication and integrity. As we move forward, I am committed to bringing our community’s vision to life, fostering a thriving, inclusive, and sustainable future for all.”
Commissioner Fournier was still serving as Mayor of Tenino until that evening. After he led the Tenino City Council meeting, Commissioner Mejia led a brief swearing-in ceremony at Tenino City Hall. Fournier started his new role the following morning.
“I am excited to get to work as the commissioner for our newly created District 4,” Fournier said. “We live in one of the most amazing places in the country, and I am ready to be part of a team that wants to make it even better.”
Mejia welcomed the new commissioners, emphasizing the positive impact their addition brings to the board.
“We are pleased to welcome the two commissioners to the board,” said Commissioner Mejia. “Their addition enhances our ability to make impactful decisions and drive our county forward.”
The expansion from three to five commissioners was set in motion with the passage of Resolution No. 16181 by the BoCC.
In collaboration with the Port of Olympia, a joint resolution was signed in the fall of 2021, presenting ballot measures during the general election to expand both governing bodies along the same boundaries.
Thurston County voters supported Proposition No. 1 on November 8, 2022, increasing the BoCC and Port Commission from three to five members each.
This story was updated at 9 p.m. on December 1, 2023.
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AugieH
More paper pushers that will make Decisions by Committee That Effect Your Lives. The Commission's workload increases because it sticks its fingers in more and more pies. Your pies!
Tuesday, December 5, 2023 Report this