Battle Ground Mayor Mike Dalesandro
Battle Ground Mayor Mike Dalesandro won’t seek re-appointment by fellow city councilors for another two-year term, the mayor announced last week.
In a post to his Facebook page, Dalesandro made the announcement, stating, “It’s just simply time to pass the baton of leadership to another.”
He was chosen by the council to serve as mayor in January 2018, replacing former mayor and current councilor Philip Johnson. Prior to Johnson, current deputy mayor Shane Bowman had served as mayor from 2014 to 2015.
Dalesandro wrote that when he first was appointed to the position he wished to reconnect with the community, stressing it was important to strengthen community bonds in the face of the growth the city was experiencing. He wrote he believed outreach efforts through a community vision process as well as engaging with churches, youth sports and schools made “significant progress toward building connections and community.”
“It’s been an unbelievable team effort between our City Council, City Staff, and this community,” Dalesandro wrote.
He also thanked his wife, parents and family “for putting up with the crazy schedule.”
“It’s been an honor and privilege to serve as your Mayor these last two years and I look forward to continuing my service on City Council,” Dalesandro wrote.
He was first elected to council in 2013, running for re-election in 2017.
Every two years, the Battle Ground City Council appoints one of the city councilors to serve as mayor, who apart from regular councilor duties also serves as presiding officer for council meetings and serves as the ceremonial representative of council, according to the city website.
