Mayor Verner was born and raised in the southeastern U.S. She settled as a young adult in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where she was a high school teacher, legal assistant, and eventually an Environmental Programs Manager in the Territorial Government.
While completing her Master's Degree back on the mainland, she was offered a position in Natural Resources Management with the Spokane Tribe of Indians. Mary moved to the Spokane area in 1992, and immediately immersed herself in her community as an active citizen and volunteer. She attended Gonzaga Law School while working full-time, and achieved her law degree in 1999.
Before being elected to the top post at the City, Mayor Verner served on the Spokane City Council for four years, representing Council District 2, south of the Spokane River.
The Mayor has a broad range of experience in business, law, planning, policy development, program design, and management. She has a law degree from Gonzaga University, a master’s in environmental studies from Yale University, and a bachelor’s from Davidson College.

The Vagabonds Traveling Show:  Lively, gutsy & eclectic!   LeAnn Mae (Cooley) and Deanne Darlene (Logan) present a cabaret of musical treats sure to delight different tastes. With an essence of vaudeville, this energetic duo will keep your toes tapping with blues, swing, jazz, bluegrass, country, ragtime & more!