Selah’s New Mayor is Officially In Office

Selah's new mayor is on the job today. John Gawlik was sworn in as the city of Selah's new mayor last Friday. The city scheduled the ceremony Friday because government offices were closed on Monday.  Gawlik takes the job after defeating incumbent mayor Bob Jones in November. Jones held the post since 1996. Gawlik most recently has been a city council member. His position on the council will open on January 10th. Anyone interested in the government post can apply at Selah City Hall. Gawlik comes in with a lingering controversy swirling over the city. Selah council members twice tabled a proposal that would create large severance packages for the city supervisor and police chief if they get fired by the new mayor. Current Selah Supervisor Frank Sweet submitted the proposal that would pay him almost $500,000 if he's laid off in 2012.