Plank in as Kellogg mayor

KELLOGG –– Rod Plank was sworn in as mayor for the city of Kellogg on Wednesday evening after receiving unanimous support from the Kellogg City Council. 

Longtime mayor Mac Pooler handpicked Plank as his choice to be his replacement but also knew that the city council ultimately had the final say over who would fill Pooler’s seat. 

“Rod’s been with the city for a long time,” Councilman Jerry Cobb said. “It makes for a seamless appointment from my perspective. He’s just so familiar with what we do. I think it’s a good recommendation.” 

Last month, Pooler submitted his resignation, citing health concerns as his reason for stepping down.

“Because of my health issues, that have worsened this year, I do not believe that I will be able to continue to fulfill my duties for the remainder of my term,” Pooler said. “This unfortunately places an extra burden on the city council members as well as the other city department heads.” 

Pooler served consecutively as mayor since 2002, but also had a term in the position in the 90s – he also spent time on the city council. 

During his time as mayor, Pooler helped assuage relationships between the city and environmental agencies who had been based in the community since the shutdown of the Bunker Hill Mine in the 1980s. During his time, he oversaw a major overhaul of the city’s infrastructure, including a complete replacement of the city’s sewer system, which he did with assistance from special project manager Rod Plank. 

Plank’s resume in civic duty is extensive. It includes several years of law enforcement with both the city of Kellogg and the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office, where he served as undersheriff. Plank has also served a term on the Kellogg City Council and, currently, served as the city’s special project manager since 2017. 

“I wholeheartedly agree with Mayor Pooler’s recommendation,” council president Terry Douglas said. 

A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously approved – followed immediately by Plank’s swearing-in ceremony. 

“With the choice of Rod, I think we hit the nail right on the head,” Councilman Dennis Norris said. “He’s abreast of everything that’s going on and has been for a long time. I think he’ll make a seamless, easy transition and I think he’s a great choice.”

Following the meeting, Plank was humbled by the support he received from his contemporaries on the council, but also the endorsement that he had received from a man who is regarded as somewhat of a local legend. 

“Mac’s the guy, he’s a legend. No one else will be Mayor Mac,” Plank said. “I was honored to have his endorsement and I’ll do my best to do a good job here.” 

Plank will serve out the rest of Pooler’s current term, which ends after 2026.