Politics & Government

Bassett Sworn in as Mercer Island's New Mayor

Mercer Island City Council elected councilman Bruce Bassett as the city's new mayor and Dan Grausz the city's deputy mayor during its Jan. 3 public meeting at City Hall.

Underscoring his evolution from an advocate to a consensus builder, Mercer Island City Council voted to install city councilman Bruce Bassett as the city's new mayor for a two-year term at its Jan. 3 meeting in .

Former mayor Jim Pearman nominated Bassett after City Clerk Ali Spietz had sworn in the new and incumbent councilmembers and opened the floor for nominations.

"He has matured into a full councilmember and recognizes that he represents the interests of everyone," Pearman said, while also noting it was the first time he had seen his colleague wearing a tie at a council meeting.

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The city council voted to approve Bassett as mayor and Dan Grausz as deputy mayor, 6-0. Councilman Mike Grady abstained from the vote.

Under the Council-Manager plan of government under which the city of Mercer Island is organized, the mayor acts as a chair of the body and is elected every two years by his peers on the council. The day-to-day administration of the city is left to the City Manager.

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In nominating Grausz, Bassett said he possessed the sharpest mind of virtually anyone he knew.

"He has the best interests of the community at heart," Bassett said.


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