Several interested in council post

Members of the Buckley City Council apparently will have a handful of candidates to consider when they fill a vacancy in their ranks.

Members of the Buckley City Council apparently will have a handful of candidates to consider when they fill a vacancy in their ranks.

It was reported last week that at least four citizens have submitted letters of interest, although only one had turned in a completed application packet as of Thursday.

The vacancy was created when Ron Weigelt stepped down from his Position 5 seat on the council.

The six sitting council members will review all applications during a regularly-scheduled meeting April 28, then make their decision during a special meeting called for May 5.

To be eligible for the council post, candidates must be at least 18 years old, be a registered voter and have lived within the Buckley city limits for at least one year.

Application packets can be picked up during business hours at Buckley City Hall or downloaded from the city Web site, www.cityofbuckley.com. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. April 24.

The person selected has no guarantee of serving beyond this year. The remaining two years of Weigelt’s original term will be subject to the fall elections, a September primary and November’s general election. All eligible citizens can run for the position during the official filing period, the first week of June.

Buckley City Council members are expected to attend two council meetings per month, on the second and fourth Tuesdays. Additionally, each member is on three council committes, each meeting once monthly. Members receive $250 per month.

The fall is shaping up to be a busy time in city government. Aside from the Position 5 seat, three members are up for re-election: Cristi Boyle Barrett, Sandra Ramsey and Mark McNally. Also to be decided is the mayor’s post, as Pat Johnson is nearing the end of her four-year term.

Reach Kevin Hanson at khanson@courierherald.com or 360-802-8205.