It was not a lengthy first meeting of 2024, aside from conversations designating committees and retreat dates, but it was long enough to see the newest members of the Port Orchard City Council take their seats for the first time in the new year.

The official swearing-in took place days prior to the new year, and on Jan. 9 the council welcomed its newest elected officials: John Morrissey, Eric Worden and Heidi Fenton.

The new councilmembers bring a variety of backgrounds and experiences to the table when it comes to involvement in the Port Orchard community. Worden is a longtime employee with Kitsap County Public Works and is a baseball coach in the South Kitsap School District, the same district he graduated from before attending Olympic College.

Fenton has lived and raised her family in the community for over two decades and was a longtime childcare provider.

Morrissey moved to the area roughly a decade ago and is general manager of Kitsap RV in Port Orchard, He was named the 2023-24 chair of the Greater Kitsap Chamber Board of Directors.

Morrissey took the place of Councilman Mark Trenary in the at-large position, but Trenary managed to win the seat formerly held by Shawn Cucciardi.

The council voted Councilman Fred Chang as mayor pro-tempore. Councilman Jay Rosapepe made the nomination, saying, “He’s the longest-term councilmember currently, has a history of standing on numerous committees, and I think would lead us in the place of the mayor when he is unavailable.”