Ecret out, Deane in as ML mayor

MOSES LAKE - In a close vote Tuesday night, Moses Lake City Council elected a new mayor, the third mayor in four years.

In a 4-3 vote, councilmember Dick Deane replaced Bill Ecret as mayor. Deane received votes from himself as well as councilmembers, Jon Lane, Karen Liebrecht and Jason Avila. David Curnel and newly elected Councilmember Todd Voth voted for Ecret. Ecret also voted for himself. Deane and Ecret were the only two nominated for the position during the council meeting.

Deane, who served as deputy mayor for the last two years, complimented Ecret on his time as mayor.

"I would personally like to thank the efforts that Bill Ecret has put into our community and our city," Deane said. "There are big footprints out there that I have to follow."

Ecret was elected mayor in 2012, defeating then Mayor Lane, who also served two years.

"It was an honor to serve as mayor and I think we all need to continue to make sure that we have the best quality of life, health, safety and welfare, for every citizen of Moses Lake," Ecret said following Tuesday's council meeting.

Deane, a councilmember since 2004, said he is looking to move forward with the platform already established by the former mayors.

"This is a proud moment in my life, to have the opportunity to be involved in such a wonderful activity and to be able to represent the community," he said. "With your help and your assistance and the support that you've shown the former mayors, I can tell you that I'm sure I will be very successful. You are only as strong as the support team behind you. I'm a proud Moses Lake citizen tonight."

Each councilmember was permitted to nominate one person, with no second needed before city Finance Director Robert Taylor closed nominations. Councilmembers then wrote their choice of nominee and their own name on ballots, which were collected and announced to the public.

Liebrecht will fill Deane's shoes as deputy mayor in a 4-3 vote over Jon Lane, who was also nominated for the position.