PORT TOWNSEND — Kris Nelson is the newest member of the Port Townsend City Council, but the other candidate for the position, Steven Emery, will seek the position again in November.
The seven-member council has been short one since Brent Butler resigned his position earlier this year.
Butler, who was elected in November 2007, left the city to serve as director of growth and development for Elmore County, Idaho.
After breaking for a short executive session, the council voted 5-0 in favor of Nelson’s appointment.
Nelson, 38, owns Sirens Pub in Port Townsend and is president-elect of the Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce.
Member of planning commission
Already a member of the city Planning Commission and having served on several ad hoc committees, Nelson said she has come to respect small, local government.
“I’m standing here because I believe I’d be a good councilor for this community,” she said.
“It is this community, my community, our community that gave me all [my] gifts, and it would be an honor to serve on this City Council.”
Councilman David King declined to enter executive session or vote on the appointment, because Steven Emery, the other candidate for the position, is one of his employees at Port Townsend Bay Marine.
Emery, 47, said he was looking to replace Butler to “finish what Brent started.”
Emery and Butler both served on the Housing Action Plan Network, and Emery said he recognized Butler’s strong voice in support of housing issues.
Emery owns Kinetic Koffee Kompany in Port Townsend and serves on the city Planning Commission.
Mayor Michelle Sandoval thanked both Nelson and Emery for their interest in the council position before the vote.
“They are both very good and both are very active in our city on different committees and the planning commission.
Nelson will take the oath of office at the council’s June 1 meeting.
She will serve until November, when an election will be held to fill the remainder of Butler’s term, which expires in 2011.
When asked if she intended to run for the council position once it came up for election this November, Nelson responded, “Unofficially, that is the intent.”
Emery said in no uncertain terms that he would be seeking the position come this November.
“I’ve already filled out the declaration of candidacy paperwork and it will be certified and turned in tomorrow,” Emery said.
“So, yes, definitely, [I will run.]”
Anyone wishing to run in the November general election for the remaining two years of Butler’s term must declare candidacy at the Jefferson County Auditor’s Office in the first week of June.
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Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com.
