PORT TOWNSEND — Port Townsend City Council member Aislinn Palmer will resign from the council effective May 31, citing personal issues.
Palmer submitted a letter to Mayor David Faber and during Monday’s council meeting made a tearful announcement of her resignation.
“I sent in a letter today to resign from city council at the end of this month because I am moving to Seattle,” Palmer said at the meeting. “I will be here until the end of this month and I really appreciate the opportunity to do this work with all of you.”
In her resignation letter, Palmer said the trajectory of her life changed following her divorce last year.
“When I ran for office, my life looked much different than it does now, and I planned to be here a long time,” the letter stated. “As I explored my options and defined my personal goals, it became clear that my future is not in Port Townsend, and it would be better to leave now and let someone else finish my term, which will be up for election in November 2025.”
According to state law, remaining council members must select a replacement within 90 days. If the council is not able to find a replacement within that time, the duty would transfer to the Board of Jefferson County Commissioners, which would have 180 days to fill the position.
If the position still remains unfilled, the governor could be petitioned to select a replacement.
According to the Port Townsend City Council rules, the body will publish a notice of the vacancy, the procedure and an application for the position in order to find the most qualified replacement.
“The City Council will draw up an application form which contains relevant information to answer set questions posed by the City Council,” Council Rule 3.2 says. “The application forms will be used in conjunction with a public interview of each candidate to aid the City Council’s selection.”
Faber said at Monday’s meeting the council will have a discussion on the replacement process at the next business meeting on May 20.
Following Palmer’s announcement, fellow council members thanked her for the work she’s done.
“In the last two years and few months, you’ve created and are leaving big shoes to fill,” Faber said at the meeting. “I’ve really appreciated your courage and willingness to stand up for what is morally right even in the face of some difficulties.”
Council member Monica MickHager specifically thanked Palmer for her work on housing issues.
“You’re going to be a real void in some of the work you’ve done,” MickHager said.
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Reporter Peter Segall can be reached by email at peter.segall@peninsuladailynews.com.
