Three Mount Vernon council members to depart; one reflects on 16 years of service

Mount Vernon City announced that three city council members will depart this year and included brief reflections on their service.

Speaker 1 identified the departing members: Council member Carrias of Ward 1, who has served since 2018 and was described as a strong voice for the city's Latino community; Council member Molinar of Ward 2, who has served since 2009 and is credited with guiding the city through the great recession, a bridge collapse and the pandemic; and at-large Council member Brock Smith, who has served since 2018 and was noted as an early advocate for affordable housing development.

Speaker 3 offered a personal reflection: "I have had the honor and privilege of representing this community that I love so deeply," and added that every decision was guided by "honor, pride, empathy, and compassion." Speaker 1 thanked the departing members for their service to Mount Vernon residents.

No replacement or appointment process was announced in this update. The city thanked the members for their service and encouraged residents to follow the city's communications channels for information about any subsequent appointment or election processes.