Grass Valley City Council: Lisa Swarthout

Lisa Swarthout, 46, moved to Grass Valley 32 years ago and is a Nevada Union High School graduate. Swarthout was elected to the Grass Valley City Council in 2004 on her third attempt.

The incumbent learned the retail trade from her parents, who owned Stucki Jewelers. She has been in the clothing business for 19 years and owns Mill Street Clothing Co. downtown.

Swarthout served nine years on the city's Planning Commission and is the vice mayor and city liaison to the Grass Valley Downtown Association.

The councilwoman has served with the Economic Resource Council, the downtown association and was a founding board member of the Friendship Club, a program to keep at-risk girls in school.