PORT ANGELES — Steve Burke, William Shore Memorial Pool executive director, will fill the unexpired term of Jim Hallet’s position on the Port of Port Angeles commission.
Hallett resigned from his position effective Feb. 1.
Port of Port Angeles commissioners Colleen McAleer and Connie Beauvais selected Burke this morning after interviewing five other candidates last week.
McAleer and Beauvais met in closed session for 75 minutes before going into open session, where they made brief statements without discussing the candidates’ individual qualifications for the elected Port Angeles-area District 2 position.
State law gives the port commission the option of evaluating the qualifications of candidates for appointment to elective office in closed session.
Beauvais said Burke “stands at the top” of the list of candidates.
McAleer said most of the other candidates had conflict-of-interest issues that would make it difficult for them to serve in the position.
McAleer seconded Beauvais’ motion to name Burke to the position “in an effort to show the public we are operating in a manner that is as transparent as possible,” she said.
Other candidates who were considered for the position were Jim Haguewood, Randy Johnson, Thomas Pope, Mel Rudin and David Sellars. Brent Berry submitted an application that he withdrew March 5.
The six-year term expires Dec. 31, 2017.
Burke will be sworn in at the board’s regular meeting at 1 p.m. Monday in the meeting room at the port administrative building, 338 W. First St., Port Angeles.
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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 55650, or at pgottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.
