SULTAN — The city has a new mayor and is looking for a new council member.
Former City Councilman John Seehuus, 62, was appointed to fill the remainder of Carolyn Eslick’s mayoral term. Eslick resigned in October to focus on her new position as a state representative. She was appointed to the 39th District seat left vacant after John Koster stepped down.
Seehuus has served on the Sultan City Council multiple times since 2004, though not in consecutive terms. He’s been mayor pro tem several times over the years. His fellow council members officially appointed him mayor Dec. 21. His term continues through 2019.
Sultan has a strong-mayor form of government, meaning the mayor is tasked with running the city based on guidance from the council and staff.
Seehus also is a founding member of the nonprofit Sultan Education Foundation and the U.S. 2 Safety Coalition.
“I just want to carry on the good work that’s going on and the good work done by my predecessor,” Seehuus said. “It’s an incredible honor to be appointed. I love this city.”
He previously ran against Eslick for mayor and lost, but describes it as “the most benign campaign” because they got along well and wanted the same things for the city. It’s too early to say if he’ll run to keep the spot beyond 2019.
The council now needs to select a new member to fill the spot left open by Seehuus’ move to mayor. Applications are being accepted until Jan. 31, city administrator Ken Walker said. They can be found on the city’s website — ci.sultan.wa.us — or at City Hall, 319 Main St.
All qualified applicants will be interviewed by the City Council during a public meeting, he said. They must live in the city and be a registered voter.
The council appointment lasts until the end of 2019. Both the mayor’s spot and the council seat are scheduled for election that year.
Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com
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