Dana Parnello was appointed to Maple Valley City Council Position No. 6 in a 5-1 vote by the City Council Monday night.

Parnello was one of nine applicants for the position that was vacated by longtime Councilwoman Victoria Laise Jonas earlier this summer. Parnello has lived in the city for 11 years and has previous City Council experience, serving an appointed term on the council from 2010-2011. He also served in various roles on the Planning Commission from 2007-2010.

Council members Layne Barnes, Erin Weaver and Noel Gerken, as well as Deputy Mayor Sean Kelly and Mayor Bill Allison, all voted in favor of appointing Parnello. Councilwoman Linda Johnson was the lone nay vote.

“I just want to say thank you,” Parnello told council during a public comment period at Monday’s meeting. “It really is an honor. I’m excited and a little daunted.”

Parnello also affirmed that he would work hard, assuring council members they made the right decision.

“We had amazing candidates, this was a difficult decision to make,” Weaver said during the meeting.

Other applicants were Cathy Hilde, Pamela Shinsato, Leslie Burberry, Scott Travis, Katherine Turner, Christina Delia, Megan Sheridan and Sara Gilbert.

“We need to leverage what has made Maple Valley a great place to live, we need to make it a great place to work,” Parnello said during his interview before the council on July 28.

Parnello will be sworn in at the beginning of the next City Council meeting at 7 p.m. on Aug. 25 at the Tahoma School District Central Services Center.