Sandpoint City Hall starts new year with swearing in of incoming councilors

Aispuro returns for third term while Tate, Torrez are newcomers to the dais

By Zach Hagadone
Reader Staff

It’s a new year and a new Sandpoint City Council, with the swearing in and confirmation Jan. 7 of Joel Aispuro, Joe Tate and Joshua Torrez, who won their seats in the November 2025 election.

While Tate and Torrez are new to the dais, Aispuro won his reelection bid for a third term in 2025, and will remain on the new council with current members Pam Duquette, Deb Ruehle and Kyle Schreiber.

Councilors Justin Dick and Rick Howarth departed from the council as Dick, who served since 2022, declined to run for reelection and Howarth was the lowest vote-getter in the four-way race for three seats in 2025.

“First of all, thank you all of my fellow councilors,” said Dick, adding that while members of council don’t always agree, “politics makes strange bedfellows.” 

“I appreciate all the passion and fervor you put into this,” he told Duquette and Schreiber, going on to thank Ruehle for her leadership as council president through “some really challenging times.”

To Howarth, Dick said, “I think your calm, level-headedness jibes most with me.”

In his farewell as a fellow councilor with Aispuro, Dick said, “You’re probably one of the most genuine individuals I’ve ever met,” before thanking Mayor Jeremy Grimm for his “steadfast leadership.”

“[It’s] definitely an honor to serve this community,” Dick added, pointing to his involvement with programs and initiatives like the SPOT bus and Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation Commission, and singling out staff for special thanks.

“Thank you so much for the opportunity to serve together over the last year and a half,” said Howarth, who was appointed by Grimm in 2024 to replace then-Council President Jason Welker after he stepped down in order to take on the role of Planning and Community Development director.

“We walk out as friends at the end of the meeting,” Howarth added. “I truly respect each and every one of you.”

Describing his time on the council as a “phenomenal learning experience,” Howarth said one of his key takeaways from serving on the dais was the passion that community members bring to issues at City Hall. He emphasized that testimony and communication with residents has “a profound impact,” and encouraged them to “fight for this community each and every day.”

In a round of well-wishes and farewells, Duquette told Dick and Howarth to “enjoy your Wednesdays,” while Ruehle said, “I thank both of you for your time served.”

“Being on here eight years, I want to thank you guys for stepping in and doing the hard work,” Aispuro said, telling Dick, “you’ve been strong; a good leader.”

To Howarth, Aispuro admitted to some initial misgivings about his appointment, “but as I’ve grown to know you, I’ve come to really respect you.”

For his part, Schreiber wished the outgoing councilors “the best moving forward with your next adventure.”

Finally, Grimm said, “it is a service to sit up here — a lot of hard decisions, a lot of work.”

He lauded Dick as a business owner, given that the “business and council hat overlap, and you’ve always done a really great job representing the interests of the people of Sandpoint.”

To Howarth, Grimm said, “Thanks for your calming tone and the breadth of experience you’ve brought to this community and the council. …

“We’ll miss you up here and look forward to your astute commentary from that side of the dais in the future,” he added.

Grimm administered the oaths of office after Dick and Howarth left their seats, first swearing in and confirming Aispuro, who placed his hand on a bible held by family friend Aaron Guyett — a “trusted brother” who served in the Marines and attended in full dress uniform.

Tate was accompanied in his swearing in by close family friend Jay Watson and his mother Barbara Gauzza, while Torrez was joined by his mother Loy and daughter Aspen, swearing on a family album.

Following the swearing in and opening remarks, and once the new council was seated, Duquette nominated Ruehle to serve as president for another two years, carrying the responsibility to preside over meetings, sign documents and oversee operations in the mayor’s absence.

“I think she’s done a fine job as a leader with her experience,” said Duquette. 

Ruehle began her service on the council following appointment in 2014 and is currently halfway through her third four-year term.

Aispuro seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 

Aispuro, Tate and Torrez will now begin four-year terms, while the next council seats up for election will be those held by Duquette, Ruehle and Schreiber, along with the office of mayor — all of which are serving four-year terms that began in 2024. 

In addition to the swearing in at council, the Sandpoint Planning and Zoning Commission voted Jan. 6 to retain Mose Dunkel as chair and Wayne Benner as vice-chair in a unanimous vote.