Medical Lake Mayor Jim Hill resigns

Jim Hill is resigning as mayor of Medical Lake and literally heading to greener pastures.

Hill, who has served since 1998, purchased 10 acres outside town and plans to relocate there. The mayor must live within the city limits.

Hill currently lives one block from City Hall.

His successor will be senior Councilman Terry Harland, 84, or Councilwoman Laura Parsons, 43. Both have submitted letters of intent for the interim mayor position.

The job was open only to current council members. The council is scheduled to vote on the replacement at its Sept. 7 meeting, and the transition is expected to be completed Oct. 1.

Hill’s resignation also will create a vacant council seat.

Curt Kelling, city administrator, said that because of the timing, it seemed easier and more logical to find a new mayor from the council. The term will end Dec. 31, 2005.

“I don’t see any drastic changes. These are people who have been here,” Kelling said.

Hill said his decision to step down is “probably more selfish” than anything. A 51-year-old Washington State Patrol trooper, Hill had been contemplating buying land outside Medical Lake since last year.

When interest rates started creeping up, he decided it was time to buy. He will continue to work as a state trooper.

“Being the mayor was one of the greatest experiences in my life,” Hill said. “You’re not there to conquer the world. You’re there to help the city grow and be a good administration.”

Hill also praised the dynamics of the council.

“We all get along great and do what is the best interest in the city,” he said. “We’re so oriented in taking care of the community.

“It’s such a great group of people.”

Of the two vying for the mayor job, Harland is the senior council member with 18 years of experience. He is a retired manufacturing supervisor at Hanford and a businessman.

Parsons has served for more than six years. The single mother of three children, Parsons received her degree in applied psychology in 1991. She also has a master’s degree in public administration from Eastern Washington University.

Parsons is a health counselor in the parent-child assistant program at the Spokane Regional Health District.

“I think of it (mayor) as an opportunity to help the community. I went back to school to get my master’s degree in public administration because I was planning to run next year,” Parsons said.

Medical Lake’s population is 4,125, which include the 900 residents of the state facility. A councilman earns $200 a month for attending two meetings and two committee meetings.

The mayor’s salary is $700 a month.