Kenmore City Council selected council member Allan VanNess to serve as deputy mayor during a meeting Sept. 22. VanNess is taking the place of former deputy mayor Glenn Rogers. Rogers retired in August due to a medical condition.

VanNess has been a resident of Kenmore since 1975 and was elected to Kenmore City Council in November 2005, filling the vacated Pos. 6 in December 2005. VanNess played a part in improving traffic, sidewalks, parks, storm drainage and downtown redevelopment, according to the city of Kenmore.

“I’ve been on the council now for nine years and have been fortunate to come in at a time where many changes occurred in Kenmore,” he said. “I am flattered and honored the council has elected me deputy mayor and allowed me to take a leadership role.”

Earlier this year, Rogers, on the advice of his doctor, requested a temporary medical leave of absence from the Kenmore City Council following a head injury he suffered in a car accident. The city council approved the leave of absence, and, after a selection process, appointed Stacey Denuski to serve in Rogers’ council seat.

Rogers reported that his health condition was not improving as quickly as he hoped or expected, and given the uncertainty in and length of his recovery, decided to retire and step down from the city council last month.

“I miss Glenn,” VanNess said. “He got into the city council two years before I did and he’s been a wonderful addition to the council over the years. I really respect him and wish him a complete recovery.”

VanNess graduated from Roosevelt High School and the University of Washington (UW) with degrees in zoology, dentistry and then served in the U.S. Navy from 1966 to 1970 in the Dental Corps. He returned to the UW to receive his master of science degree and began his orthodontic practice in Bothell. He has recently retired from clinical orthodontic practice, but continues to teach in the Orthodontic Department of the UW School of Dentistry. He has been active in the Kenmore community through his family’s participation in Northshore schools and youth sports. He is a past president of the Northshore Rotary and the Washington State Society of Orthodontists. VanNess was a founding member of Citizens for a Better Kenmore leading the effort to limit the growth of gambling in the city.

“It’s been so satisfying to see our visions being carried out,” he said. “We are not making grand, drastic improvements, but we are making incremental steps that have resulted in improving the functionality and attractiveness of our city.”