Thursday, May 17, 2018 - Week 20
Council takes shape
Journal photo by Gordon Weeks
The seven members of the Shelton City Council were sworn in Tuesday night at the council’s first meeting. They are, from left, Kevin Dorcy, Deidre Peterson, Joe Schmit, Bob Rogers, Gary Cronce, Eric Onisko and Kathy McDowell.
The seven members of the Shelton City Council were sworn in Tuesday night at the council’s first meeting. They are, from left, Kevin Dorcy, Deidre Peterson, Joe Schmit, Bob Rogers, Gary Cronce, Eric Onisko and Kathy McDowell.
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Bob Rogers elected new mayor of Shelton; 7-member council meets for first time
By GORDON WEEKS
gordon@masoncounty.com The seven-member Shelton City Council debuted Tuesday evening, and in its first official action, elected Bob Rogers as mayor. Rogers replaces Gary Cronce, who has served as mayor for six years. Upon handing him the gavel, Cronce said, “I hope this job gives you as much pleasure as it did me.” Before the meeting began with a standing-room only crowd in the council chambers, the seven council members were sworn into office in the lobby at the Shelton Civic Center. Shelton had been the last city in Washington to be governed by a three-member city commission. A petition drive last summer allowed city voters in November to elect to change to a seven-member council. Voters elected Rogers, Deidre Peterson, Eric Onisko and Joe Schmit to the four open council seats. On Tuesday, they joined Cronce, Kathy McDowell and Kevin Dorcy on the council. The first order of business was to select a mayor. Interim City Manger Vicki Look, acting as the city’s clerk, opened the floor to nominations from the council members. Peterson and Rogers nominated each other; Onisko nominated Cronce. In the first round of voting, none of the three nominees received the required four votes. That’s when Cronce withdrew his nomination. For more of the Shelton-Mason County Journal, subscribe to our weekly edition. |
Courtesy photo.
The Shelton School district announced Monday that Mike Speaks, right, was hired as the new Shelton High School football coach.
The Shelton School district announced Monday that Mike Speaks, right, was hired as the new Shelton High School football coach.
Shelton hires new head football coach
By ALEXANDRA SMITH
alexandra@masoncounty.com
For just the third time in 50 years, Shelton High School has hired a new head football coach. The Shelton School District announced Monday the hiring of new head football coach Mike Speaks.
The Shelton resident accepted the position after an extensive search by the school district.
“My goal is to develop a football program by providing a positive and motivating environment that encourages excellence in the lives of each student athlete,”
Speaks told the Journal on Tuesday. “I want to instill a work ethic that is comprised of commitment, discipline, toughness and trust.”
Speaks is a 1989 Shelton High School graduate. He attended Central Washington University, played football at Central and earned his bachelors’ degree in law and justice. Speaks works for Mason County PUD 3.
“This is an exciting opportunity for Mike,” read the school district’s news release. “He brings football experience along with the passion and energy needed to lead a high school program.”
Understanding the need to jump right into season preparations, Speaks will be naming his coaching staff, addressing equipment needs and plans for football camp in the immediate future.
“I am passionate, dedicated, and plan on working hard for each and every student athlete,” said Speaks. “My plan is to incorporate the youth program with the high school program. We have approximately 175 to 200 kids playing youth football from second to eighth grades. Our goal is to have these kids continue playing into high school and a large portion of these kids playing football for all four years. I want to increase community support and involvement into our program to increase Climber and Community Pride.”
After coaching Shelton football for 25 years, Matt Hinkle resigned last fall after the Highclimbers ended this season 1-9.
The search was originally scheduled to be finalized with a new coach hired in mid-February. After narrowing the national search down to three candidates, the Shelton School District reposted the position in March.
For more of the Shelton-Mason County Journal, subscribe to our weekly edition.
alexandra@masoncounty.com
For just the third time in 50 years, Shelton High School has hired a new head football coach. The Shelton School District announced Monday the hiring of new head football coach Mike Speaks.
The Shelton resident accepted the position after an extensive search by the school district.
“My goal is to develop a football program by providing a positive and motivating environment that encourages excellence in the lives of each student athlete,”
Speaks told the Journal on Tuesday. “I want to instill a work ethic that is comprised of commitment, discipline, toughness and trust.”
Speaks is a 1989 Shelton High School graduate. He attended Central Washington University, played football at Central and earned his bachelors’ degree in law and justice. Speaks works for Mason County PUD 3.
“This is an exciting opportunity for Mike,” read the school district’s news release. “He brings football experience along with the passion and energy needed to lead a high school program.”
Understanding the need to jump right into season preparations, Speaks will be naming his coaching staff, addressing equipment needs and plans for football camp in the immediate future.
“I am passionate, dedicated, and plan on working hard for each and every student athlete,” said Speaks. “My plan is to incorporate the youth program with the high school program. We have approximately 175 to 200 kids playing youth football from second to eighth grades. Our goal is to have these kids continue playing into high school and a large portion of these kids playing football for all four years. I want to increase community support and involvement into our program to increase Climber and Community Pride.”
After coaching Shelton football for 25 years, Matt Hinkle resigned last fall after the Highclimbers ended this season 1-9.
The search was originally scheduled to be finalized with a new coach hired in mid-February. After narrowing the national search down to three candidates, the Shelton School District reposted the position in March.
For more of the Shelton-Mason County Journal, subscribe to our weekly edition.
