By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
The passing of the baton at the Morton Police Department will take place on Thursday, as 2015 comes to a close.
Longtime Chief Dan Mortensen is retiring, although when he wakes up on New Year’s Day he will be mayor of the small East Lewis County town.
He ran unopposed in the November election. Mayor James Gerwig didn’t run for another term.
Mortensen describes his feelings as “anticipatory.”
“I’ve done this job a long time and I certainly will miss it,” he said. “The mayor position presents some new challenges for me.”
The mayor manages the city and runs the council meetings, but does not have a vote on the council.
Mayor Gerwig hired a new police chief, Roger Morningstar, who begins work on Jan. 1.
Mortensen and Morningstar were sworn in to their new positions by Mayor Gerwig at last night’s city council meeting.
The outgoing and incoming police chiefs have been working for a couple of days together, for a smoother transition at the department, according to Mortensen.
The police department employs a chief and two full time officers. Mortensen has been with the department since 1985.
Morningstar has law enforcement experience in Washington and a criminal justice certification, Mortensen said. He comes from the state Department of Corrections in Aberdeen, though he hails from Nevada.
“He comes with a pretty good repertoire of experience, I think he’s a good fit for the community,” Mortensen said.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter