PORT ANGELES — Recently elected City Council member Larry Little took his oath of office one week early on Tuesday because he will not be able to attend the next council meeting, said city spokeswoman Teresa Pierce.
In an e-mail, Little attributed the upcoming absence to a family-related health issue.
Joining him in taking the oath in the council chambers at City Hall on Tuesday was Patrick Downie, who was also elected to his first term in the Nov. 3 general election.
Downie said he chose to be sworn in with Little so that some visiting family members could attend.
The other two new council members elected last month, Brooke Nelson and Max Mania, will take the oath at the first council meeting of the year next Tuesday.
After the brief swearing-in, Little said he will try to participate in next week’s meeting via speaker phone.
‘Unexpected’ issues
When asked why he won’t be able to attend, Little said he would only respond to questions through e-mail.
In the e-mail sent Tuesday afternoon, he wrote: “I am now dealing with some unexpected health issues in my family and therefore I cannot fully predict all my necessary travel requirements, but I do plan on full participation at each meeting including the upcoming City Council retreat.”
In an Oct. 16 Peninsula Daily News report, Little, while a candidate for the council seat, said he expected to miss some council meetings while he and his family were on vacation in British Columbia for two weeks each month from January through March.
He could not be immediately reached to clarify if he still expects to be out of town on vacation during those months.
Downie and Little were applauded by the audience made up of about 40 city staff members, fellow council members, family and friends after they each swore to uphold the U.S. Constitution and state and local laws.
Replacing Braun
Little is the clinical director of Volunteers in Medicine of the Olympics in Port Angeles and the race director for the North Olympic Discovery Marathon. He is also a retired dentist.
Little will replace Gary Braun, who chose not to run for re-election. Braun, who has been serving as mayor, has served a total of 16 years on the council.
Downie is the program coordinator for Catholic Community Services/Volunteer Services. He is also a former city Planning Commission chairman.
Downie will replace Karen Rogers who also chose to not run for re-election. Rogers, a former mayor, joined the council in 2002.
Terms officially begin Friday.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.