MILL CREEK — A vacancy on the City Council has attracted strong interest.
Sixteen people applied ahead of a deadline Thursday. The vacancy opened after the departure of former Mill Creek Councilman Sean Kelly. Kelly won re-election in November, but resigned later that month after admitting he had moved away from the city.
The field of hopefuls includes small-business owners, a banker and a former Seattle police officer, among many others. A few have current or past experience on the city Planning Commission or Parks & Recreation Board.
Among the applicants is Carmen Fisher, who lost last year’s race to Kelly. A judge declined Fisher’s post-election request to invalidate the votes for Kelly and declare her the winner.
Also in the mix is former Community Transit CEO Joyce Eleanor. Another applicant is Herbie Martin, who in 2013 ran unsuccessfully for the same seat, which Kelly ultimately went on to win. Martin also applied for a City Council vacancy in 2015.
The other contenders are: David Chapin, Brad Craig, Melissa Duque, Sandra Harris, Tyler Hogan, Drew Lippman, Ross Maynard, Mark Oostra, Luis Perry, John Steckler, Dennis Teschlog, Maija Tuomi and Stephanie Vignal.
Applicants must be residents of Mill Creek who have been legally eligible to vote there for at least a year.
The council intends to start interviewing candidates at its regular meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Given the number of applicants, the interview process might be continued to another meeting, city spokeswoman Joni Kirk said.
The council must fill the seat by March 31, which is 90 days after the council term started.
Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465; nhaglund@herald net.com. Twitter: @NWhaglund.
Learn more
More information, including each candidate’s application, is posted online at www.cityofmillcreek.com/vacantcouncilseat.
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