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After hearing from nine people who wanted to join their ranks, members of the Forest Grove City Council picked Tom BeLusko, Jr. to join them on the elected panel.
By a unanimous vote Monday evening, the council selected Belusko, a principal at WSC Insurance in Forest Grove, to fill a vacancy that which will open up in October when City Councilor Pete Truax becomes mayor.
BeLusko, 39, will be sworn in later this month and fill out the remaining three years of Truax’s term on the seven-member council. Truax was selected by his colleagues to succeed Mayor Richard Kidd, who is stepping down to run for the Washington County Board of Commissioners.
BeLusko said he was grateful for the chance to serve on the council and, as the father of young kids, has a personal investment in the city’s future.
“I want to make sure our city’s interests are protected,” he said, “not just for three years, but for 20 and beyond.”
BeLusko, who stressed his business background during his presentation earlier in the evening, was selected by the councilors who ranked their top three choices from among the pool of applicants. Tom Beck, the who chairs the city’s planning commission, received the second-highest vote, followed by Jonathan Kipp, the marketing director for a Portland medical clinic.
“I’m glad we had as many candidates as we did step forward,” said Councilor Victoria Lowe said just before the vote on Truax’s successor. “It made it a very difficult decision.”
Lowe and other councilors said they hoped that the other applicants would find other ways to participate in city matters. “We look forward to hearing from you again,” said Councilor Camille Miller.
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Re: Businessman will join Forest Grove City Council
I want to congratulate Tom. As I said to him in person tonight (and said to myself from the beginning) --- IF NOT ME....YOU!
Tom is going to bring a new voice, a new perspective and a new life experience that can only enhance the council.
From the beginning my goal was to promote the idea that the council needed to be more representative of the people in Forest Grove. And tonight the council took a giant step forward to that end. Tom has two young kids, a challenging job and (presumably) a mortage, AND he's involved in his community -- trying to make it a better place.
That's my kind of city councilor!
Of course, I hoped to win the seat tonight. I am encouraged to finish 3rd though. I think it subtly sends a message that things are about to change in Forest Grove. Business-as-usual is likely to come to an end soon.
I'm enthusiastic about Tom's tenure as councilor. I think he'll be a fantastic voice for our community.
Congratulations Councilor Belusko!
Jonathan Kipp
"Jonathan Kipp"
(email verified)
Mon, Oct 12, 2009 at 09:52 PM