New Island County Law and Justice member named

Langley resident Michael O’Mahony was appointed to the Law and Justice Council of Island County.

Island County commissioners voted unanimously last week to have O’Mahony fill the District 1, position 2 citizen seat. It was formerly held by Mary Heidel Haight, but she resigned.

O’Mahony is a retired Seattle Police Department assistant chief with 30 years of experience in law enforcement. According to his letter of interest, he is a University of Puget Sound graduate, alumni of the FBI National Academy and attended the U.S. Secret Service Protection Program.

“My opinion is that an effective Law and Justice Council is the best mechanism for ensuring a smoothly running and responsive criminal justice system at the local level,” O’Mahony wrote.

The council is primarily composed of 21 law and justice leaders in Island County, including judges, police chiefs, prosecutors and public defenders, elected officials from various municipalities and a U.S. Navy representative.

Six citizen members — two from each district — also serve on the council. O’Mahony is one of those, as is Tom Ewell, who was re-appointed to another two-year term.

The council is an advisory group, making recommendations to the commissioners on matters of law and justice. One topic currently under discussion is whether to address funding woes for police and courts with a sales or property tax.

 

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