Richard Mount was sworn in Dec. 2 as the municipal court judge for the City of Medical Lake and pledged to support the constitutions of the United States and the state of Washington and to faithfully discharge the duties of the office.

Mount took the oath at the start of the council’s Dec. 2 meeting after the council said it had approved his appointment at a Nov. 25 special meeting. Council members said the city is contracting with Erie Heights Municipal Court for court services as operations move from Cheney to Erie Heights.

“Do solemnly swear or affirm… that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of judge of the municipal court of the City of Medical Lake,” Mount said while taking the oath. In brief remarks after being sworn, Mount thanked the council for its confidence, said he has prior experience in the Cheney court system and on a school board, and expressed a desire to serve Medical Lake residents and “make things run smooth.”

There was no council debate recorded at the Dec. 2 meeting about the appointment; council members invited Mount forward, administered the oath and congratulated him. The swearing followed the council’s Nov. 25 action to appoint Mount to the position.