YAKIMA, Wash. -- Maureen Adkison was sworn in as the newest member of the Yakima City Council Tuesday evening.

She was appointed by the council April 21 to replace Neil McClure, who resigned in the middle of an April 14 meeting over a controversial new budget-writing process.

Adkison, 61, was one of six finalists for the seat vacated by Norm Johnson in December, when he was elected to the state Legislature. She lost out to Sonia Rodriguez in a 4-2 vote to replace Johnson.

Adkison serves on the Yakima Parks Commission and as president of the Yakima Regional Medical and Cardiac Center Board of Trustees. She has also co-chaired Johnson's campaign for the Yakima City Council in 2003 and co-chaired Curtis King's campaign for the State Senate in 2007.