John Tarrant grew up in Bellingham, Washington and is a graduate of Bellingham High School. After high school, he attended Skagit Valley Community College, the University of Washington, and Western Washington University, where he received his degree in Bachelor of Arts in Education (History) with a minor in Political Science. Mr. Tarrrant received further educational training from St. Martin’s College in Olympia as well as from Western Washington University and Seattle Pacific University.
Mr. Tarrant served for 31 years in the public education system as a teacher of high school History, Economics, and Leadership. He also served as Senior Class Advisor and ASB Advisor. After 31 years in the classroom, he transitioned into the position of the Shelton School District’s Staff Developer, where he arranged and planned in-services for certificated and non-certificated staff until June 2004.
Mr. Tarrant served first as a member and then as a chairperson on the Shelton Civil Service Commission in 1993 and was also the Commissioner of Finance.
In 1999, Mr. Tarrant was elected Mayor of Shelton. As Mayor, he presides over City Commission Meetings, along with his two fellow Commissioners, Dawn Pannell and Mike Byrne. Together, they preside over the policy-making functions of the City of Shelton while representing the interests of the Citizens of Shelton.
Mr. Tarrant not only serves as Mayor but also as Commissioner of Public Safety for both police and fire, as outlined in the RCW’s. Shelton’s form of government has been modified somewhat in that all three commissioners make policy with respect to public safety, finance, and public works.
Mayor Tarrant currently serves as Chairperson and Member of the Mason Transit Board, along with City and County Commissioners. He is also a Board Member of the Economic Development Council of Mason County and is the current Board Chairperson of the Community Action Council of Lewis-Mason-Thurston County. He was a former President and Board Member of the United Way of Mason County.
John Tarrant has been married to Patricia, formerly of Canada, for 41 years. Mrs. Tarrant is a librarian for the Shelton School District. They have two adopted children, David and Kathy. Mayor and Mrs. Tarrant have two grandchildren, Christian and Kurt.
Boards and Committees
Community Action Council
Economic Development Council
Emergency Planning Committee
Hotel/Motel Tax Committee
Mason County Criminal Justice Working Team
Memorial Hall Committee
Peninsula Regional Transportation Organization (PRTO, alternate
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