Bernie O’Donnell is the new councilman on the block, having been nominated and appointed to the Black Diamond City Council during the Oct. 1 meeting.
His appointment was preceded by a lengthy executive session, where the council discussed which of the four applicants – O’Donnell, Benjamin Singleton, Tony Moss, Briana Durham, and Chad Hoffman – would sit in the Position No. 6 seat.
All the candidates, with the exception of Hoffman, interviewed for the position during the Sept. 17 meeting.
At first, it appeared that Durham was going to be the lucky pick, as Councilwoman Kristiana de Leon came right out of executive session to nominate the Ten Trails resident.
It quickly became clear, though, that O’Donnell was the council favorite; Councilwoman Melissa Oglesbee said that while Durham – and all of the applicants – would have made great council members, O’Donnell appeared the best suited.
“His application was very strong,” Oglesbee said. “I think with the skills that he carries, in the one year that we will be appointing this person’s position, he will do very well.”
O’Donnell is a 13-year Black Diamond resident and has 30 years of experience in public and private sector design and construction projects, climbing the ladder from employee to executive. He currently is owner and president of the Renton-based Rock Project Management Services.
Outside of work, O’Donnell is a former president of Rebuilding Together South Sound, a former volunteer with The Millionair Club, and currently serves on the National Small Business Association Leadership Council, the Workforce Advisory Board, and the CTE Advisory Board for the Renton School District.
His application for Pos. 6 focused heavily on the fact that he is “not a politician” and that his biggest areas of concern revolved around public safety and “promoting and investing in community events that bring people together”.
One by one, each council member voiced his and her support of O’Donnell. When the time for a vote came, he was appointed 5-1, with de Leon dissenting.
“I’m excited and at the same time I’m very, very humbled, because I know the talent of the people that applied for the position,” O’Donnell said before he was sworn in. “I’m honored that at the end of the day that I’m able to serve the people of Black Diamond.”
In other city news, Mountain View Fire and Rescue announced it is participating in the Trunk-or-Treat event that is happening in Black Diamond on Oct. 31 from 1 to 3 p.m. outside the Black Diamond Eagle’s Club (32618 Railroad Ave.). There will be free hotdogs, hot cocoa, and cider, and candy will be in individual grab bags this year to keep things COVID safe.
