From the time Liberty Lake incorporated as a city in August 2001, only two people have held the role of mayor.
You can now add Shane Brickner to that short and distinguished list.
Brickner defeated incumbent Steve Peterson on the Nov. 5 ballot to earn a four-year term. He has been part of the Liberty Lake City Council since 2012 and served as mayor pro-tem for the past four years.
Running on a platform of transparency, accountability and public involvement, Brickner stressed the importance of public safety as the city’s top priority. He also emphasized building on programs that encourage community connections for families and seniors.
Brickner first ran for office in the fall of 2011, edging out Keith Kopelson by 77 votes for a council seat. He appeared unchallenged on the ballot in 2015. Instead of running for re-election as a council member this fall, Brickner chose to test the waters as a mayoral candidate.
“I believe in giving back to the community I love,” Brickner said on his latest campaign trail.
A volunteer officer with the Liberty Lake Police Department since 2006, Bricker remained with the agency after being elected to council. The city passed a special ordinance after he took his seat at the dais, excluding Brickner from any vote involving LLPD.
A graduate of Shadle Park High School in Spokane, Brickner went on to earn a diploma from Eastern Washington University. During his time at EWU, he took two years off to accept a job with the Oak Harbor Police Department on the west side of the state.
Brickner developed into an elite competitive swimmer at Shadle Park. He also participated in cross country and studied martial arts. At a Relay for Life fundraiser in 2011, Brickner walked for 17 consecutive hours to generate awareness and funds in the fight against cancer.
Brickner and his wife Jamie moved to Liberty Lake in 2004 and have three kids in their blended family.
In addition to his public service, Brickner founded a chapter of Grief Share — a support group for those dealing with loss — after his brother Greg died in 2007. He has also served with the Spokane Opiod Task Force and the Spokane County Mental Health Task Force “Drop the Stigma” program. Brickner is a recipient of the “Everyday Heroes Award” through Pacific Northwest Kiwanis.
