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December 21, 2005

Spokane city council appoints former member to succeed West

The Spokane, Wash., city council voted unanimously Monday to appoint former councilman Dennis Hession to succeed former mayor Jim West, who was voted out of office earlier this month following a gay sex scandal.

The 6–0 vote came three days after the Spokane County election canvassing board certified results of the December 6 recall election that removed West from office. West, a longtime Republican lawmaker, had served less than two years of his four-year term.

Last spring West was the subject of a series of articles by The Spokesman-Review that alleged he had used his office for personal benefit in soliciting dates from young men. West has acknowledged having relationships with young men but has denied doing anything illegal. The FBI is investigating. No charges have been filed.

Hession, 55, and council president since 2003, automatically became acting mayor when the recall election was certified Friday. He was appointed Monday to serve the two years remaining of West's term. "It was a good day," Hession said after the council vote. Hession plans to take the oath of office January 3. (AP)

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