Aitken appointed to City Council
<p>Bill Aitken shakes Shelby Rognstad’s hand following his appointment to City Council. (Photo by CAMERON RASMUSSON)</p>
SANDPOINT — The City Council lineup for 2014 has been solidified after a pair of council actions Wednesday.
Members wasted no time in appointing former City Council candidate Bill Aitken to the seat vacated following Aaron Qualls’ resignation. Later in the evening, they also accepted the county canvass of the 2013 general election results, finalizing the last legal step prior to the beginning of Shannon Williamson, Shelby Rognstad and Bob Camp’s terms in early January.
On the other hand, there was no wait for Aitken, who took his seat on the council immediately following an unanimous member vote and his swearing in by City Clerk Maree Peck.
Aitken was one of three individuals who submitted a letter expressing interest in taking on the job, according to Councilwoman Carrie Logan. After considering all options, Mayor Marsha Ogilvie selected him as her appointee to the empty council seat.
As a candidate for public office this year, Aitken finished in fifth place behind Williamson, Rognstad, Camp and Bill Litsinger. Considering Litsinger was the fourth-place candidate and accumulated about 30 more votes than Aitken, some individuals felt appointing him to the seat was the fairest and most considerate option to Sandpoint voters. Meeting attendee Jeremy Conlin urged council members to take this approach and recommend Litsinger’s appointment. Council members, however, chose to follow Ogilvie’s recommendation.
As the owner of downtown-based business Aitken Construction and Development, Aitken is keen on initiating projects to revitalize the commercial center. He has undertaken work as a private resident to promote the establishment of a local community center and is a board member of the Sandpoint Recreation and Community Center organization. He also has experience in the public sector as a member of the Sandpoint Historic Preservation Committee.
As is legally required prior to elected officials beginning their terms, city officials also accepted the results of the general election. Bonner County Commissioners finished their canvass of the Nov. 5 results last month, certifying that all ballot counts are accurate. With the city’s approval of those numbers, Williamson, Rognstad and Camp are set to begin their terms next month.
“Congratulations to all who triumphed in the election,” Logan said.