Jan Anderson (left) swears in Shirlene Rasmussen (right) as the next Fairview City Council member.
FAIRVIEW—The Fairview City Council recently appointed Shirlene Rasmussen as its next council member.
Rasmussen was chosen 2-1-1 by the council March 11 over Talon Peterson, a two-year Fairview resident and accountant, and Robert St. Jacques, former councilman and planning commission member.
Monica Hendry, a 27-year resident of the town and “on-and-off” Walmart employee, was the other candidate.
Rasmussen’s term began with her swearing-in and will end Dec. 31.
Rasmussen, a resident of Fairview of 32 years, said she was excited to be the councilwoman for Fairview.
“I want to serve our community,” Rasmussen said.
Rasmussen said she has time for the position because she is retired now. She worked for 30 years for Skyline Mine.
“It must have been good if I was there for that long,” Rasmussen said.
When asked if there was anything in particular Rasmussen was looking forward to as a councilwoman, she said, “Just learning, and I have the desire to serve the citizens of this city.”
Rasmussen has been active in the town for three decades, she told the council the night she was appointed.
As she said in a letter to Mayor Cliff Wheeler and the council, Rasmussen has organized an annual Easter egg hunt and answered Santa letters from Fairview children, a city-sponsored function that Rasmussen started.
She has actively participated in Fairview Pioneer Days on July 24, conducting “ice-breaker” games for children at the Fairview park and a wet t-shirt game as well as “throw-out” prizes to fans at the demolition derby. She also served with the Fairview ambulance as a volunteer/EMT and supervisor for four years.
In recognition of her service to Fairview City, Rasmussen was honored as the grand marshal for the 2017 Pioneer Days parade. She has also received the North Bend Entertainers Shining Star Award in the past.
Rasmussen’s other volunteer work includes working with her local scout program as a Cub master and Bear leader for four years and working with 11-year-old Scouts for two years.
Councilman Brad Welch asked the candidates what issues in Fairview concerned them. Rasmussen said water issues, grants and the growing population, before noting that she knew about annexation considerations.
Wheeler said he and the council would call on all the candidates for help.
