EVERETT – Veteran City Councilman Doug Campbell will leave his seat Sept. 1 to return to his native Nebraska.
Campbell will officially announce his resignation at this morning’s City Council meeting. Campbell last year was elected to his fourth four-year term on the council.
“I have mixed emotions about this because I really love the city of Everett,” said Campbell, who has lived here 19 years. “I’ve put a lot of myself into this city.”
Campbell, 42, will become president of the newly formed economic development corporation of Broken Bow, the central Nebraska city of 3,400 where he was born.
Campbell said he wouldn’t have considered leaving Everett if his wife hadn’t wanted to return to Nebraska to be near her parents.
“The title and all that stuff never meant anything at all,” he said. “But I will miss the people. I know this is a biased view, but I believe the city of Everett has some of the finest professional staff of anywhere in the United States. I feel very lucky to have worked with so many good people.”
Campbell said it’s especially difficult to step down in the midst of the revitalization of downtown and the excitement about the pending redevelopment of the riverfront.
“But when you can go back into the community where you were born and raised and take your experience and help your community better itself, it’s a good opportunity,” he said.
City Council President Arlan Hatloe praised his colleague.
“Doug is a good thinker, and he brings a lot of common sense and futuristic thinking to the council,” he said. “He’s someone who thinks things through carefully and takes his responsibility seriously. It will be very hard to fill his shoes.”
Jim Staniford, the restaurant owner who lost to Councilman Bob Overstreet last year, said he’ll apply for the post.
“I’ve lived here all my life, and this city’s done well for me,” Staniford said. “You have to put something back.”
Former Councilman Dan Warnock, who lost to Hatloe in 2001, and Ted Trepanier, who lost to Campbell and David Simpson in last year’s primary election, said they haven’t decided whether to apply. Simpson was appointed 38th District state representative in January and is running to retain his seat.
Dale Pope, who lost his re-election bid last year after serving 26 years on the council, said he’s not interested in returning. He said he’s enjoying his semi-retirement.
“I’m happier than a clam in high tide,” Pope said.
Reporter David Olson: 425-339-3452 or dolson@heraldnet.com.
Accepting applications
The city of Everett today will start accepting applications for candidates who want to complete the first half of Councilman Doug Campbell’s four-year term. Whoever is appointed will have to run next year to complete the second half of the term, which expires at the end of 2007.
Applications should be sent to Everett City Clerk, 2930 Wetmore Ave., First Floor, Everett, WA 98201. Put “City Council Position No. 5” on the envelope. All applications must be received by 5 p.m. Aug. 11. Call 425-257-8703.
The new council member is scheduled to be sworn in Sept. 1.
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