Mayor

A Message from the Mayor

We encourage you to contact City Hall staff if you have any questions, concerns, or ideas that would help us better serve you and our community. We are always happy to hear from residents. Remember, this is your community, and it takes all of us working together to create and maintain an environment in which we can celebrate our accomplishments, enjoy a high quality of life, and raise our families. Thank you for your interest and involvement!

Sincerely,
Mayor Gary Walton

Mr. Walton has dedicated himself to community service for more than twenty years. He first was elected as a councilmember and later progressed to Mayor Pro-Tem and then on to Mayor. He is involved in many service organizations within the community and has a deep rooted interest in the welfare of the city at large and its citizenry.

Gary moved to Washington state from Montana while working for the Milwaukee Railroad. He later went to work for the telephone utilities in Connell in October of 1978. In August of the following year, Gary settled his family into a home in Connell and his interest, commitment and interaction with the community took off.

Gary joined the Connell Fire Department as a volunteer in 1980 and later also joined the Franklin County Fire Department. He served on the Connell Police Reserves for 16 1/2 years until elected Mayor.

In 1981 Gary was elected to the Connell City Council and held a four year term. He was off for the next four years, but ran again in 1989 and was re-elected. Gary served as a council member and Mayor Pro-Tem until October of 1998 when he was voted in as Mayor.

As a council member, Gary has worked with the Finance Committee and Park Board. He has also served on the Board of Directors for the Benton-Franklin Health Department since 1995.

Gary continues to serve the community with his involvement in his church, the Connell Fall Festival, Junior Livestock Show, 4th of July festivities and other community events.

Gary states, "my commitment is to make the community a better place to live for all our citizens."