Fircrest’s David Viafore is gone from the mayor’s post he dominated for an unusually long 14 years with a strong will that got him into trouble along the way.
The Fircrest City Council has replaced Viafore with veteran Councilwoman Kathy McVay, the first woman mayor in the city’s 83-year history.
“All good things come to an end,” Viafore said Wednesday. “I served with all the passion and energy I had.
“She made history,” he said of McVay. “My hat’s off to her.”
Viafore was the longest-serving city mayor in Pierce County. He won a close re-election contest last fall to keep his seat on the City Council.
The delicatessen operator was seen by many as the face of the small city wedged between Tacoma and University Place.
Viafore’s achievements include providing the political push to retain a Highway 16 exit to Fircrest, build a new City Hall, upgrade fire service by contracting with Tacoma and improve the city’s water system. He was a strong supporter of police.
He also generated controversy. His support of expanding Fircrest’s commercial base to get more sales tax revenue helped fuel his opponents.
Wal-Mart proposed to build a store in Fircrest, but withdrew its application last year.
Some residents opposed Wal-Mart and blamed Viafore and the council for not telling people more.
“We felt closed out from trying to get information from the council, particularly Dave,” said resident David Stemp, who unsuccessfully ran for council last year against another candidate.
Viafore said he had to remain neutral because the City Council might have had to decide whether to permit Wal-Mart.
He said he didn’t favor or oppose the big-box retailer.
Viafore also came under scrutiny more than five years ago for repeatedly overstepping the authority of his role as ceremonial mayor.
An outside investigation after an employee whistle-blower complaint showed that Viafore broke state law by interfering with Fircrest’s administration under the city manager system. The investigation cited examples including asking police officers to run license plate numbers and directing employees to stripe roads in certain areas.
He retaliated against some who disagreed with him, the report said, and employees said he “professionally abused” them during public meetings.
Viafore denied wrongdoing and said he was trying to hold people accountable.
“I do not deny that I’m a strong-minded individual,” he said in 2003. “It’s interpretations. I’m Italian. I gesture. If someone takes it as public humiliation, then personally, they have a problem.”
The City Council at the time did not discipline him, and a majority said they supported him.
City Manager Bill Brandon said Wednesday that in the 21 months he’s been on the job, he hasn’t seen overstepping by Viafore.
“He touches base with me at all times,” Brandon said.
As mayor in the ceremonial tradition, McVay will preside over meetings, act as spokeswoman for the council and attend public events, among other things. The city manager, who is hired by the council, handles day-to-day administration, and the council makes policy and passes ordinances.
“We have to keep our noses pointed forward,” said McVay, 59, a long-time health care recruiter who works for the state. “We have to figure out our revenue issues.”
Brandon estimated revenues could drop about $900,000 this year, a significant sum for a city of 6,270 people.
Some council members who favored McVay in Tuesday night’s 4-3 vote said they appreciated Viafore’s service but decided it was time for a change. They noted that most other communities rotate the mayor’s job among council members.
They said McVay, starting her 15th year on council, earned and deserved the opportunity.
“I heard from so many people,” said Councilwoman Chris Gruver. “They wanted a change in perspective. There will be a new perspective up there.”
Councilman Bob Thaden, who supported Viafore for mayor, said he was sad Viafore was no longer in the position but happy he remains on the council. He said Viafore could be a handful because he micromanaged and sometimes pushed to the edge when he strongly believed in something. But Fircrest always benefited, he said.
“David’s such a great leader,” Thaden said. “I never saw anybody work so hard. The really good news is, we haven’t lost him.”
Rob Tucker: 253-597-8374
David Viafore
Age: 43
Resident: 18 years
Years on City Council: 16
Years as mayor: 14
Job: Has owned Viafore’s Italian Delicatessen in Fircrest since 1985.
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