PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles City Council will interview three candidates for a vacant seat next week.
During the council’s meeting Tuesday, they will interview Laurel Cripe, Jon Hamilton and Christy Holy.
The position, No. 7, became vacant when Brendan Meyer resigned their seat effective June 30.
Nine candidates applied for the position. During their last meeting, city council members voted for their top three candidates and three who received the most votes moved on to the interview stage.
The council has until Sept. 28 to fill the vacant seat.
To apply for the position, each candidate submitted a resume and cover letter and answered application questions.
Cripe retired from Vanport Marine in Portland, Ore., in December 2021. She has lived in Port Angeles for 17 years, according to her cover letter.
She graduated from Montana State University in Bozeman, Mont., with a bachelor of science in applied mathematics and computer programming. She also took accounting courses at Peninsula College.
Cripe served on the Port Angeles Parks, Recreation & Beautification Commission for one three-year term from 2021-24. She was president of the Peninsula Tennis Club from 2006 to 2010 and again in 2023 and now serves as the treasurer. She also is a member of Strong Towns Port Angeles.
“I’m interested in serving on city council because I care deeply about our community and the future of Port Angeles,” Cripe wrote in her application.
“This is my home and I want to contribute to decision-making that helps our city thrive — not just now, but for the next generation.”
Cripe believes her professional background and community experience “uniquely position me to help the City of Port Angeles to fulfill its potential for an inclusive, vibrant and sustainable future,” she wrote in her cover letter.
Hamilton works as a math teacher in the Port Angeles School District. He has lived in Port Angeles since 2010, according to his cover letter.
He graduated from Centralia College with an associate of arts degree and from Central Washington University with a bachelor of arts in secondary mathematics education. He also earned a master of arts in science education from Western Governors University in Salt Lake City.
Hamilton is a member of the Port Angeles Education Association, the Clallam County Democratic Party and the Washington Education Association.
“I am interested in serving on the Port Angeles City Council because I believe our city is at a pivotal point — one that requires thoughtful, community-centered leadership,” Hamilton wrote in his application. “As a long-time public educator, union leader and civic advocate, I have seen firsthand how local policy decisions impact families, workers and students.”
Hamilton is deeply invested in community well-being, he wrote in his cover letter.
“I can offer collaborative, transparent and service-driven leadership during this important moment for our city,” he wrote.
Holy is self-employed and runs Better Call Christy. She previously worked as a senior tax coordinator for KB Home in Los Angeles.
She has a master of fine arts degree in directing from the University of Portland and a bachelor of arts in theater from Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas.
Holy served on the Clallam County Charter Review Commission. She also was the recording secretary for the Clallam County Democrats and vice chair of the 24th Legislative District Democrats. She also is a member of Soroptimists International of Sequim.
“I want to take an active part in discovering and responding to the needs of this community in an effective way,” she wrote in her application. “I moved to Port Angeles nine years ago and I have developed a great interest in local issues.”
Holy believes Port Angeles is “on the precipice of change, as more and more people are expected to move to this part of the world over the coming years,” she wrote in her cover letter.
“This will require planning and problem solving as the city council balances housing, business, development, climate change, health care and other community needs,” she wrote. “I bring the experience and interest necessary to confront these coming challenges with creativity, practicality and reason.”
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Reporter Emily Hanson can be reached by email at emily.hanson@peninsuladailynews.com.
