SEQUIM – Wounds inflicted during Sequim’s elections may be healing, but the sutures still were straining Friday at the new City Council’s first meeting where Laura Dubois was chosen mayor.
Both Dubois and Mayor Pro Tempore Kenneth Hays were elected unanimously by a seven-member council that consists of four members elected in November.
Former mayor Walt Schubert concurred in the selections of the new officers.
With council members Paul McHugh and Bill Huizinga out of town on vacation, only Schubert represented the council’s old guard at Friday’s meeting.
Schubert said the election had produced “a difficult time for all of us.
“Feelings have been hurt and people made to feel less important than they really are.”
Moments later, he handed his gavel to Dubois, who had unseated former council member Ron Farquhar.
Dubois thanked Schubert for his eight-years of service.
“I respect everything he’s done as mayor,” she said.
“He’s been an excellent ambassador for the community.”
For his part, Schubert said, “People don’t care about petty politics.
“I’m looking forward to a good two years” – the time left in his term.
