New Weiser mayor, council members are ready to lead

Weiser City Hall was crowded on Monday night as family, friends and employees turned out for the swearing-in of elected officials who won city offices in November’s election.
 Mayor-elect Randy Hibberd took the oath of office administered by city clerk Dave Tate to begin a four-year term.
 Hibberd was a member of the city council when he ran for mayor and won the office in a three-way contest. His victory created a vacancy on the six-member city council.
 Hibberd appointed Weiser CPA Mike Hopkins to serve out the remaining two years of his term on the city council.
 Hopkins also is a hospital board trustee and a former county commissioner and school board member. The city council ratified his appointment by unanimous vote.
 Council members Larry Hogg, Layna Hafer and Cliff Barberis also were sworn in on Monday night. The three incumbent council members were the top vote-getters in last November’s municipal elections.
 Once the council members were sworn in, Hibberd handed out committee and board assignments. Dan Randleman was nominated for the position of council president and approved.
 Tributes poured in for outgoing two-term Mayor Diana Thomas, who did not seek re-election last November.
 Thomas vowed to keep her comments brief in her final minutes as mayor. First and foremost, she thanked all of the city employees she worked with over the last eight years.
 She said she was especially thankful for all the respect she was shown by department heads and employees as the first woman mayor of Weiser.
 “Thank you for giving me the privilege of being mayor,” she said.
 Council member Layna Hafer said she has known Thomas for the past 17 years and Thomas held the titles of mayor, county commissioner and District 9 Idaho House member well and unwavering with integrity and passion for Weiser.
 “I am a better leader for our friendship,” Hafer said.
 Engineer Justin Walker, who has known Thomas professionally and personally for many years, said he wanted to thank the outgoing mayor for advocating for her constituents in Weiser and for the wise use of tax dollars.
 “I have found your leadership to be decisive and thoughtful and that is a rare combination,” he said.
 Council member Dan Randleman said during Thomas’ tenure as mayor, East Galloway Street was redone, along with Park Street. A major project during Thomas’ term was the successful, multi-million expansion of the city’s wastewater treatment plant.
 “There are a lot of accomplishments that improved the community,” he said.
 Other council members and city employees expressed thanks to Thomas for all she did as mayor for the past eight years and also for the friendship she offered. More than one said the city is a better place as a result of her efforts.