Friday October 26, 2018
Municipal Court Judge Robert Hamilton gave the oath of office to Amina Ahmed, selected to fill in the term of recently resigned Mayor Michael Siefkes.
Ahmed will serve in an unelected role until the Nov., 2019 election when either she or another candidate will be elected by the citizens of the city to a full four-year term.
Mayor Erin Sitterley, after Ahmed’s swearing in, escorted her to her Council position, between Deputy Mayor Clyde Hill and Councilmember Pam Fernald.
Lois Schipper, who is running for the State Senate in the 34th District that includes Burien, West Seattle, White Center, and Vashon Island (not SeaTac), congratulated the Council for appointing Councilmember Ahmed, noting “she will bring a wealth and knowledge to councilmembers.”
Several others also congratulated the Council on Ahmed’s appointment, some on behalf of the Somali community who reside in the city and some who support retention by the city of the disputed international marketplace where many Somalis have small businesses.One person said the community has waited for representation on the Council but it should be noted that no Somali U.S. citizen has ever run for a SeaTac Council seat.