EVERETT — Twenty-five people are vying to fill an empty seat on the Snohomish County Public Utility District’s three-member commission.
Despite the long list, the two sitting commissioners, Kathy Vaughn and Toni Olsen, plan on spending 30 minutes talking with each candidate this week at the PUD’s headquarters near downtown Everett. The interviews are scheduled to start at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and could run into the evenings depending on when applicants are available, PUD spokesman Neil Neroutsos said.
The District 1 seat on the publicly elected commission has been vacant since Jan. 1, when Dave Aldrich resigned due to health problems. The clean-energy advocate died later that month. He was two years into a six-year term.
The successor selected by Vaughn and Olsen will serve two years. Voters will elect someone in 2018 to finish Aldrich’s term. The seat will be on the ballot again in 2020 on its regular six-year cycle.
Here are the candidates, including brief summaries of their experiences and visions for the job or PUD policy as provided in their applications:
John Berge, Marysville: Varied professional career with stints in the construction and veterinary industries. Vision: Positive, informed management.
Kara Briggs, Tulalip: Business owner, civic activist and former journalist. Endorsed by former Snohomish mayor. Vision: Deliver reliable utilities to growing area and pursue clean energy.
Lou Ann Carter, Everett: Social worker. Vision: Keep rates affordable while adopting alternative energy sources.
Scott Chandler, Everett: Retired electrician. Vision: Support green energy and modernize the power grid.
Anthony Curtis, Marysville: Former PUD employee and whistleblower. Endorsed by three mayors and the Tulalip Tribes board of directors. Vision: Run the PUD for ratepayers with focus on clean energy.
David De Marco, Tulalip: Longtime Everett Fire Department captain. Vision: Resiliency, sustainability and accessibility.
Arnie Diel, Arlington: PUD employee since 1981 (retiring in March). Vision: Strong focus on customer service.
James Donner, Stanwood: Longtime Republican activist with experience in home building. Vision: Prudent planning and resource stewardship.
Allen Feris, Jr., Arlington: Business owner and former pharmacist. Vision: Entrepreneurial leadership and competent management.
Matthew Hartman, Granite Falls: Business owner, Granite Falls City Councilman and former PUD commission candidate. Vision: Affordable, practical energy.
Steven Hellyer, Marysville: City of Everett’s IT director. Vision: Stable rates, empower customers and enhance cyber security.
Karla Jacks, Camano Island: Nonprofit manager and longtime activist. Vision: Deliver affordable, reliable energy and services.
Rob Johnson, Stanwood: Financial adviser and former state representative. Vision: Pursue energy conservation and new alternative sources.
Bruce King, Arlington: Entrepreneur, farmer and former PUD commission candidate. Vision: Increase transparency, prudently pursue clean energy and new technologies.
Thomas King, Marysville: Retired electrician. Vision: Dependable, affordable service.
Sid Logan, Arlington: Retired school district executive. Vision: Open-minded, community-focused leadership.
John Moselage, Granite Falls: Longtime Boeing engineer. Vision: Pursue clean energy technologies.
Thomas Norcott, Everett: Retired manager in timber, telecoms and manufacturing. Vision: Concerned about “utility projects and financial obligations” of residents.
Mark Norton, Stanwood: Transit security director; former area manager for Sears, Roebuck and Co. Vision: Reliable and professional service.
Bruce Overstreet, Everett: Public school teacher and administrator. Vision: Pursue conservation and green energy, while improving cyber security and customer service.
Susanna Priest, Camano Island: Professor and author. Vision: Advocate for clean energy and communicate with ratepayers.
David Simpson, Everett: Former Boeing worker and Everett City Council member. Decades of local civic involvement. Vision: Customer service, lower rates and adopting new technologies.
Dean Smith, Everett: Retired mathematician and environmentalist activist. Vision: Pursue clean energy and other green technologies.
Randy Tavenner, Stanwood: More than 40 years in construction. Has solar panels on home. Vision: Advocate for sustainable energy.
Roy Yates, Everett: Retired banker with years of community involvement, including as an Everett School Board member. Vision: Consistent service as communities grow.
Dan Catchpole: 425-339-3454; dcatchpole@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @dcatchpole.
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