Outsider councilman Gene Fisher became an insider Jan. 3 after lawmakers unanimously selected him as SeaTac’s new mayor.
Fisher was first elected to the council six years ago as a limited-government, pro-small business reformer. He was re-elected two years without an opponent.
The new mayor has occasionally been the lone dissenting vote on legislation.
In an interview, Fisher said as mayor he might become more conciliatory.
“I’ve been told you can’t drive a tack with a sledge hammer,” Fisher noted. “I guess that is what I’ve been trying to do.”
Fisher joked he was elected mayor because “the founding mothers and fathers are no longer in the majority.”
He replaces Frank Hansen, who didn’t seek re-election after serving on the council since the city was incorporated 16 years ago.
Fisher is also a commercial fisherman and expert legal witness. He has operated a Christmas tree farm on his two-acre lot in Riverton Heights.
He served 34 years in the U.S. Navy and Naval Reserve and was a police reserve officer for eight years.
Fisher said among his priorities are streamlining government, upgrading emergency preparedness and improving access to public information through technology.
Councilman Ralph Shape was also selected as deputy mayor.and Tony Anderson was sworn in for his first term on the council.
At the council’s Jan. 10 meeting, lawmakers discussed a franchise agreement and fees for the Olympic Pipe Line Company. The company runs a pipeline containing jet fuel through the city to Sea-Tac International Airport.
Lawmakers were informed that after the deadly 1989 pipeline explosion in Bellingham, cities began to require agreements.
Public works Director Dale Schroeder said, “There’s been a fair amount of negotiating,” Schroeder said.
He recommended council members approve a $12,960 per year fee in addition to a one-time $2,000 application fee.
Olympic must also maintain insurance including $100 million for commercial general liability and $50 million for environmental pollution liability.
The council will hold a public hearing on the agreement at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 24. Lawmakers are also expected to act on the proposal that night.
