ARLINGTON The Arlington City Council held an election among themselves at the Jan. 21 meeting when Sally Lien stepped down as mayor pro-tem of the city and Marilyn Oertle was voted into office in her place for a reduced one-year term.
For Lien, four years of serving as pro-tem mayor was enough, but she remains fond of the role and her experiences in it.
I didnt exactly volunteer, Lien laughed. I was just kind of elected. The mayor and I had known each other most of our lives and Id been on the Council the longest, so she asked if I was willing to be appointed.
Lien explained that the pro-tem title was traditionally conferred upon the longest-serving Council members, such as Oliver Punks Smith, although she hastened to add this was never required. She was also quick to deglamorize the position, even as she cited its value.
Its nothing like a council president or a deputy mayor, Lien said. You dont actually authorize anything. When the mayor is not present, you simply act in her stead, giving speeches and conducting Council meetings.
Lien believes that serving in the role could benefit any Council member, by broadening his or her perspective.
Our Council and mayor get along, but it throws a little bit of a different light on things, to wear the administrative and executive hats, Lien said. One side passes laws and sets policy, while the other runs the city. The differences between the two branches were really hammered home for me during the Wal-Mart proceedings. Its been a learning experience.
After four years, Lien is eager to share this learning experience with her fellow Council members, and credits Council members Dick Butner and Graham Smith with suggesting that the duties of pro-tem mayor rotate more often between Council members, by shortening its term to one year.
Oertle admitted that the length of Liens tenure was convenient for her fellow Council members, but agreed with the idea of rotating the role through the Council.
It just seems like weve been so busy these past four years, Oertle said. It was easier to keep going with Sally in the job, but now that the dust has settled we have a clearer idea of where we are.
Oertle is honored to succeed Lien as mayor pro-tem, but expressed uncertainty about what might follow.
I havent had much time to think this through, Oertle laughed. I just hope I can live up to Sallys example.
While Oertle expects standard duties such as setting Council agendas and conducting workshop meetings, she also hopes to discuss how the Council can keep its members informed without scheduling redundant meetings.
Except for Dick, we all work regular jobs, too, Oertle said. It can be hard to get together at the same time when youre also juggling jobs and families.