City of Washington Mayor Passes Away

The City of Washington is mourning the loss of it’s mayor Harold Jones, after he passed away on Saturday Jan. 26, following a long battle with illness.  He was 67.  The city ordinance says that with the passing of an elected official, the president of the council will fill the vacancy until the term expires.  Ryan Kern is the council president and will fill the role of mayor until April 2015.  Kern’s position on the council is up for election this spring and he filed for re-election.  If he wins the election, he has the choice of staying mayor until 2015 or take the city council position.  If he stays mayor, the council will fill the vacant city council position by appointment.  If he decides to take the city council position, the new president, which will be chosen on the next council meeting, will take over the mayor position.