Coin Toss Determines New Spokane Valley City Council Member - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

City Of Spokane Valley Press Release:

SPOKANE VALLEY, WA - With Spokane Valley Council members split 3 and 3 after three votes, the decision to appoint either Lewis Rodney "Rod" Higgins or Linda June Thompson to fill a vacancy on the Council was determined by the toss of a coin.

Consistent with the Council-adopted procedure for filling the vacancy, which included plans in case of a tied vote, the candidate whose last name was closest to the letter "A" was assigned heads and the other was assigned tails.  After the coin landed heads up, Higgins was sworn in. 

He fills the position vacated by former Council Member Brenda Grassell, who resigned because she is moving outside the city.  Higgins will serve until the person elected to the position in the November 2013 general election takes office.  That is expected to be on November 26, 2013, when the election results are certified.

A retired director of the International Society of Mine Safety Professionals, Higgins holds a B.S. Degree in Finance from the University of Idaho.  In addition to involvement in a number of community and professional organizations, he served on the Spokane Valley Planning Commission from January of 2012 until his appointment to the Council. 

The City Council meets on Tuesdays at 6:00pm in Council Chambers, which are located in Suite 101 at Spokane Valley City Hall, 11707 E. Sprague Avenue.  Live webcasts of Council meetings can be viewed on the city's website at www.spokanevalley.org by selecting the SVTV link on the lower right side of the home page.  Archived copies of prior council meetings can also be accessed there.  In addition, videotapes of the prior week's Council meetings are broadcast on cable Channel 14 at 6:00pm on Mondays. 

Community members can sign up to receive emailed notices of Council Meeting Agenda topics at www.spokanevalley.org by selecting the envelope icon at the lower left side of the home page.