Kleeburg selected as new Lewiston council president
Jan. 9—The Lewiston City Council voted for a new council president Monday night, and a new council member was sworn in.
Councilor Jim Kleeburg was voted president after a nomination from councilor Kassee Forsmann. Councilor John Spickelmire nominated current council President Hannah Liedkie, and voted for her, as did newly elected Councilor Jessica Klein. Liedkie voted for Kleeburg, as did Councilor Kathy Schroeder and Kleeburg himself.
Klein, Spickelmire and Kleeburg were all sworn in after being elected in November. Klein placed her hand on a Bible as she took the oath of office.
"I am truly humbled and I hope I can make the city proud," Klein said.
She also said that if people have questions or concerns they can send her a message.
Klein replaced Councilor Rick Tousley, who didn't seek reelection. Tousley gave some closing remarks to the council regarding his time as well as the city of Lewiston and the people in it.
"Elections come and go," he said. "Sharp words and the blah blah blah rhetoric sometimes seem overwhelming, but at the end of the day the citizens of our town see through the B.S. and look to those who will lead by listening and learning, not who can shout the loudest or create the most drama."
He also asked the people of Lewiston to listen and attend the meetings but noted that "unfortunately very few do."
Tousley also acknowledged the work of city employees, saying that they have been informative, helpful, respectful and cheerful in his time as a councilor and a citizen.
"This place, this entity that we call the city of Lewiston to my mind has always been based on a theme of being a service center," Tousley said.
He then addressed Klein and commended her efforts as a citizen by attending the meetings and taking notes, and asked her to continue that hard work as a councilor.
Tousley ended by thanking his wife, Cheryl, "my toughest critic and greatest inspiration and thank you for putting up with me during this time."
Forsmann and Spickelmire thanked Tousley for his service. Forsmann said she enjoyed bouncing off ideas with Tousley and that he was a great advocate for the city. Spickelmire said that even though they didn't always vote the same he always appreciated and respected Tousley's comments.
"Thank you for being here," Spickelmire said and shook Tousley's hand.
Mayor Dan Johnson also addressed Tousley and repeated many of the same remarks that Forsmann and Spickelmire said about his respectful nature.
"I know we will remain friends after this," Johnson said.
Tousley was also presented with a plaque by Johnson to commemorate his service and kept his city councilor name plate.
The 2022-23 city council was also adjourned sine die.
In other business:
— The city council approved the Carlton Hangar Addition, a 8.99-acre property west of Fourth Street between Warner Avenue and Park Avenue, to be made into 29 development lots.
— The city council approved the donations of three bronze statues by Ralph Crawford to the Lewiston City Library.
— Johnson approved the addition of city councilors to several boards, commissions and organizations, and representatives including Liedkie to the Downtown Business Improvement District Advisory Board, Disability Advisory Commission and Valley Vision; Kleeburg to the Library Board of Trustees and Urban Renewal Agency; Forsmann and Schroeder to the Public Works Advisory Commission; and Klein to the Lewiston-Nez Perce County Airport Authority Board.
— In councilor comments, Liedkie said that with the cold weather coming she contacted some local boy scouts who can shovel snow for the elderly and disabled. Those who need assistance can contact her.
Brewster may be contacted at kbrewster@lmtribune.
