Politics & Government
New Farmington Council Members Sworn, Galvin Elected Mayor
The first vote taken by the new council was a 3-2 split, electing the mayor.
Re-elected Farmington city council members Greg Cowley and Bill Galvin and newcomer Jeff Scott took their oaths of office Monday, then split on a vote to elect Galvin mayor.
Every two years, council members elect one of their colleagues to the largely ceremonial position.
Cowley nominated Galvin, and Scott backed long-time council member JoAnne McShane, who has served two terms as mayor and two as mayor pro tem since her election in 1989.
Galvin was appointed two years ago to fill a vacant post. Since then, he said, he is the only council member with perfect attendance at meetings and study sessions. He said he'd like to see the city achieve a 3-year balanced budget and favors a dedicated funding strategy for capital improvements projects.
"I think we need to stop tolerating vacancies in the downtown," he added, noting that he took a position against the Farmington Public Schools bond at the council's last meeting, because the district is the "largest vacant and derelict land owner in the downtown community right now."
"I love this city more than (former mayor) Tom Buck," McShane joked, adding she would love the opportunity to be mayor again. "I assure you I would serve the city very well, as I have in the past. I would work toward our financial success ... and to bring everyone together as a team to work together towards our goals and get what's best for Farmington. That's what we all want."
Council member Steve Schneeman said both of his colleagues were well qualified for the post.
"I think I'm privileged to serve with this group of people, and I think that we have two fine candidates for mayor," he said.
Schneeman, who was later elected mayor pro tem, voted for Galvin, as did Galvin and Cowley.
Every two years, council members elect one of their colleagues to the largely ceremonial position.
Cowley nominated Galvin, and Scott backed long-time council member JoAnne McShane, who has served two terms as mayor and two as mayor pro tem since her election in 1989.
Galvin was appointed two years ago to fill a vacant post. Since then, he said, he is the only council member with perfect attendance at meetings and study sessions. He said he'd like to see the city achieve a 3-year balanced budget and favors a dedicated funding strategy for capital improvements projects.
"I think we need to stop tolerating vacancies in the downtown," he added, noting that he took a position against the Farmington Public Schools bond at the council's last meeting, because the district is the "largest vacant and derelict land owner in the downtown community right now."
"I love this city more than (former mayor) Tom Buck," McShane joked, adding she would love the opportunity to be mayor again. "I assure you I would serve the city very well, as I have in the past. I would work toward our financial success ... and to bring everyone together as a team to work together towards our goals and get what's best for Farmington. That's what we all want."
Council member Steve Schneeman said both of his colleagues were well qualified for the post.
"I think I'm privileged to serve with this group of people, and I think that we have two fine candidates for mayor," he said.
Schneeman, who was later elected mayor pro tem, voted for Galvin, as did Galvin and Cowley.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here
