PORT TOWNSEND — The number of candidates for Brent Butler’s vacated council position is down to two.
Andrew Reding, 55, said he is withdrawing his application to fill the position.
“I think it is important to have some degree of generational balance on the council,” Reding said, “and Kris Nelson comes highly recommended by people I trust.”
Kristen Nelson, 38, and Steven Emery, 47, remain as the two applicants for the position.
They will be interviewed by the Port Townsend City Council — along with any others who file before the Wednesday deadline.
The City Council plans on May 18 to appoint a council member who will serve until November, when an election will be held to fill the remainder of Butler’s term, which expires in 2011.
Public comment
Public comment on candidates for the council appointment will be taken at the beginning of council meetings on May 4 and May 18.
Council members will review the qualifications of each candidate in closed executive session May 18, then reconvene in open session to make a decision.
The oath of office will be administered June 1.
Reding said that although he is pulling out of consideration for the appointment, he might consider running for council in the future.
“This is in no way a sign of diminished interest on my part,” he said.
“I may run for one of the other City Council seats up for election in November, depending on who chooses to run or not run.”
The position has been vacant since Butler, who was elected in November 2007, left the city to serve as director of growth and development for Elmore County, Idaho.
Emery, 47, said he has applied 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.
Nelson, 38, said she has applied for the position to become more involved in the governance of the city.
Already a member of the city Planning Commission and several ad hoc committees over the year, Nelson said she has come to respect small, local government.
Nelson owns Sirens Pub in Port Townsend and is president-elect of the Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce.
Applications for the council appointment are to be filed with the Port Townsend City Clerk at City Hall at 250 Madison St. or e-mailed to pkolacy@cityofpt.us.
Each must include a letter of interest, a resume and written answers to a series of questions about reason for filing, the three most important issues facing Port Townsend, qualifications and involvement in civic organizations.
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.
For more information about applying for the council appointment, see the city’s Web site, www.cityofpt.us.
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Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com.
