Fresh mayor steps in to lead Rosalia council

Jim Stenhouse took his seat at the end of the Rosalia town council bench Tuesday night to preside over his first meeting as the town’s mayor.

A member of the town council since 2003, Stenhouse admitted to a mild case of the butterflies after Tuesday night’s meeting.

“I’ve been in management and overseen meetings before, but this was something completely new,” he said.

He said he was up well before dawn going over the agenda for Tuesday night’s meeting in preparation for his new office.

Stenhouse bested Brady Kiesz in November to be elected mayor. He joined councilors Karen Rockness and Danette Merritt as new office holders at the council bench Tuesday night.

The three were sworn in last week to meet a state requirement that they take the oath of office before the end of the week.

Stenhouse has pledged to continue efforts to improve Rosalia’s water system and sewer lagoons.

A proper water system, he said, will be a great addition to the town’s infrastructure, and will allow Rosalia to recruit new businesses that would require increased capacity.

He added Tuesday night he would like to lead a citywide effort to find a new place to hold council meetings.

The council currently meets in the old Masonic lodge, a building gifted to Rosalia by the Masons. The building, however, is showing the effects of age, with its exterior bricks crumbling.

Stenhouse works for Garco Building Systems in Airway Heights. He and wife Barbara live in a historic house on the south end of town.

He takes over as mayor from long-time leader Ken Jacobs, who decided not to seek another term in office during last year’s election.

Jacobs served as mayor of Rosalia from 1982 to 1990, 1994 to 1996 and 2002 to the end of last year.

Stenhouse brings a more laid-back and diplomatic style to the office, a contrast to Jacob’s honest but blunt management style.