Age nothing but a number for Yacolt mayor

The late pop star Aaliyah once declared, “Age ain’t nothing but a number.”

The phrase could have been penned to describe Yacolt Mayor James Weldon.

The 81-year-old doesn’t measure age in how he feels. He measures it in how people respond to his (relatively) youthful looks.

“Most people say they can’t believe it,” Weldon said. “They guess I am in my 50’s or 60’s.”

Weldon was appointed to serve as the town’s mayor last week. He replaced Joe Warren, who abruptly resigned in March due to unspecified health reasons.

Weldon does not anticipate his age impacting his time as mayor. Weldon will serve until at least December. He has not decided whether to run for the seat in November.

Yacolt council members don’t see Weldon’s age as a liability, either. They view his experience — a previous stint as mayor in 2005 and 10 years on the town council — as a positive.

“The man is just as sharp as he’s ever been,” said council member Jimmy Robertson. “He’s retired. Therefore, he’s able to devote time to overseeing stuff.”

Weldon is a retired Air Force chaplain. He has spent 50 years as a minister. He is currently the associate minister for the Church of Christ in Yacolt.