Council Elects Arun Jhaveri As Burien Mayor

BURIEN

Arun Jhaveri, who edged Wayne Britton for a seat on the Burien City Council two weeks ago, was elected mayor of the new city last night.

He defeated City Councilwoman Kitty Milne, 5-2. It was the council's first meeting after members were sworn-in Monday.

Jhaveri, 54, who headed a group that pushed for Burien's incorporation, described himself as a team builder.

"I have always tried to get things done efficiently."

Councilwoman Sally Nelson was selected deputy mayor over Dottie Harper by a 4-3 margin.

Jhaveri, a manager for the U.S. Department of Energy, said the council will hold a study session next Monday to discuss hiring an interim city manager. There are a dozen candidates.

"I hope we can do that within the next couple of weeks," Jhaveri said.

Until a city manager is named, the Burien council is being helped by Des Moines City Manager Greg Prothman and assistant Des Moines City Manager Bob Olander, who are volunteering their services.

Chairpersons of the councils' seven new committees were also named at the meeting, held in a courtroom at Southwest District Court in Burien.