Have your say in Sultan
Published 11:07 pm Monday, May 25, 2009
SULTAN — The city plans to host a question-and-answer session for residents interested in filing for one of five vacant council positions at 6:30 tonight at the council chambers, 319 Main St.
Mayor Carolyn Eslick and current council members will be on hand to share what it’s like to serve the Sultan community. City staff plan to share information on council procedures, projects and the city’s budget.
“We would encourage people who want to run for office to come in and understand what’s involved,” said city administrator Deborah Knight. “It looks really easy when your sitting on the outside but it’s different when you’re on the inside. It’s a serious time commitment and there’s a lot to learn.”
City Council members put in an average of 10 hours a week and sometimes much more, she said. They earn a stipend of $40 a council meeting and $35 for other meetings, and they’re only paid for a maximum of two of each kind of meeting a month.
Normally, only four seats would be available for election, but the resignation of Dale Doornek earlier this year means that five of the seven positions are open. Those seats belong to Bruce Champeaux, Ron Wiediger, Kristina Blair and Steve Slawson. The last seat is filled by Jeffrey Beeler, who replaced Doornek until the election.
Knight said it’s not clear yet if any of the current council members will run for re-election. In the past, candidates have kept their intentions secret until the last possible moment. She doubts there will be a lack of candidates.
“People like to hold their candidacy until Friday at 5 p.m. at the auditors’s office,” she said. “In the past, people said it looks like half the city of Sultan is milling around in the auditor’s officer waiting to see who files.”
The filing period for candidates seeking office in the November election is June 1-5. To be eligible, candidates must be registered to vote in Sultan and have resided within the city limits for at least a year.
Debra Smith: 425-339-3197, dsmith@heraldnet.com.
