UPDATE: The Tumwater City Council has officially declared January 19 as Martin Luther King Jr. Day during a highly attended meeting today, marking a pivotal moment under newly elected Mayor Leatta Dahlhoff. With a crowd gathered at Tumwater City Hall, the council convened for its first session of 2026 to honor Dr. King’s legacy and discuss new leadership changes.
The atmosphere was charged as Dahlhoff, who previously served as a councilor since 2018, was sworn in along with fellow councilors Eileen Swarthout, Peter Agabi, and Meghan Sullivan. Dahlhoff emphasized the significance of the day, urging citizens to reflect on Dr. King’s vision. “We all urge people to join us to take this opportunity to reflect on Dr. King’s vision and rededicate ourselves to continuing to advance the principles of justice and equality for all,” Dahlhoff stated.
In a powerful address, Dr. Thelma Jackson highlighted Dr. King’s enduring impact, saying, “He was much more than a dreamer — he was a doer.” Jackson called for active participation in honoring Dr. King, insisting that this holiday should inspire action rather than be a day off. David Reaves, Reverend of New Life Baptist Church, echoed her sentiments, underscoring the urgent need for unity in facing current national challenges.
Reaves also invited the community to attend the Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration at New Life Baptist Church, located at 7838 Pacific Ave. SE, Lacey, on January 19 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Following the proclamation, the council addressed pressing municipal matters, including the selection of a new mayor pro tem. Kelly Von Holtz emerged victorious after a majority vote, defeating Eileen Swarthout. Additionally, the council unanimously approved the appointment of Paul Simmons as the new city administrator, stepping in for Lisa Parks, who was let go amid discussions around city governance.
Tensions flared during the meeting as Agabi expressed concerns over the dismissals of Parks and former police chief Jay Mason, leading to a heated exchange with Mayor Dahlhoff. The council took a brief recess after Dahlhoff cut off Agabi’s microphone, illustrating the contentious atmosphere surrounding leadership changes.
Public comments were robust, with residents voicing their discontent regarding Mason’s firing. Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders also spoke, thanking Mason for his service and expressing optimism for future collaborations with Dahlhoff and the new administration.
Looking ahead, the council has scheduled a special meeting on January 10 at 9 a.m. to interview candidates for a vacant council position, drawing interest from seven local residents. This meeting will be open to the public at Tumwater City Hall, located at 555 Israel Road, ensuring community involvement in local governance.
Stay tuned for further updates on the ongoing developments concerning Tumwater’s city leadership and community initiatives as this story unfolds.
