August 11, 2010 in News, City, Region

Spokane Valley chooses new city manager

Acting city manager Mike Jackson given the nod

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In a split decision Tuesday night the Spokane Valley City Council voted to give acting city manager Mike Jackson the job he has held since February after the former city manager was asked to resign by the new council.

Jackson was hired by the city in 2003 as the Parks and Recreation director and was promoted to deputy city manager in 2007.

“We got outstanding reports on his ability to work with people from his references,” said councilman Bill Gothmann.

Councilman Dean Grafos said Jackson was “customer service oriented” and willing to listen. Jackson was also able to renegotiate the law enforcement contract in six months “after years of posturing and wrangling,” Grafos said.

Gothmann and Grafos were joined by Mayor Tom Towey, councilman Gary Schimmels and councilwoman Rose Dempsey in voting to hire Jackson. Councilwoman Brenda Grassel and councilman Bob McCaslin voted no.

Six comments on this story so far. Add yours!

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  Sam_Smith on August 11 at 11:42 a.m.

  Seven months later 5 council people finally decide that the man doing the job remarkably well under extremely difficult circumstances is the right man for the job. Well done. the only two people who don’t agree are the same two people who don’t want anything to do with any one who was here before them and can tell them any thing about what goes on here. I was actually surprised Mr. Grafos was able to break with the great white ghost that is the rude Bob McCaslin. How dare he go against the all knowing all seeing… bah. Good Job Mike Jackson. He has performed well and done an excellent job. He has been fair to the council, staff and citizens and I expect he will continue to do so.

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  bdr on August 11 at 12:53 p.m.

  Well that was a no brainier…..its Sallys kid.
  Why did they even bother to look for candidates.
  That’s a typical friends and family’s Job, qualified personnel need not apply .
  (that how 90% of business operates).

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  Sam_Smith on August 11 at 1:40 p.m.

  As for the Great Senator Bob McCaslin, he needs to retire. He can not keep a civil tongue to the people he works around. He continues to act like a clown. He no longer even bothers to attend to his senate seat, he has the worst voting record in the senate, next to his real good friend Lisa Brown. He only shows up to council meetings when there is something he wants to vote against and then leaves without asking to be excused or saying anything to anyone like he is THE only person in the room that matters and everyone else should cowtow to him. How dare he treat the rest of the council, staff and the voting public like he does. Shame on you Mr. McCaslin. Who died and left you in charge????? You are not calling all the shots. Quit while you still have any health and let someone with grace, youth and a sense of community take over in order to move our City, the City of Spokane Valley, and your senate district into this century and the next.

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  Sam_Smith on August 11 at 1:47 p.m.

  bdr, this Mike Jackson is not related to Sally in anyway. http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/aug/05/three-vie-for-city-manager Read Nina’s profiles of the three candidates. Education: Master’s degree in management from Regis University in Colorado, bachelor’s degree in recreation resource management from Utah State University and peace officer certification through the Utah Police Academy in Salt Lake City.
  Jackson, 56, was the parks, library and recreation director in Sterling, Colo., (with a population of about 12,500) for 14 years before arriving in Spokane Valley to take the job of parks and recreation director when the city incorporated in 2003.

  Sally would not claim him, and he most certianly would not claim her. She tried to run him out of a job. Her son Mike is not like her, but this one isn’t him. She probably isn’t happy about this appointment, just like Grassel and McCaslin, too bad. However, come meet this Mike Jackson. You will like him. He is a great person, community minded, customer service,

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  bdr on August 12 at 10:58 a.m.

  My mistake, sorry. Sam

  Sally’s kids below.
  Kathryn A Jackson
  Kathryn Ann Jackson
  Julie A Jackson
  Christopher Casey Jackson
  Andrew G Jackson

  Ive seen Mike Jackson in action at a few councils Ive attended.
  (nothing out of the ordinary to report)
  If Dempsey voted for him….hes got to be good stuff.

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  bdr on August 12 at 11:05 a.m.

  Andrew G Jackson is running for Spokane Assessor office.
  This is Sally’s kid. photo link of Sally and him.

  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Veradale-WA/Andrew-Jackson-for-Spokane-County-Assessor/287877441979#!/photo.php?pid=5146346&id=287877441979&ref=fbx_album