36 apply for vacant Kent City Council position

Thirty-six people applied to replace Tina Budell on the Kent City Council.

The long list includes several former council and mayoral candidates. Andrew Swansen ran for mayor last year but lost in the primary. Paul Addis lost in a council race in November of last year to Satwinder Kaur. Jeff Piecewicz lost to Kaur and Addis in the primary last summer. Hira Singh Bhullar lost a council race in November 2015 to Budell.

Residents had until 5 p.m. Friday, April 20 to submit their letter of interest and resume to fill the seat being vacated by Budell. Budell announced April 3 she is moving to Chicago for a new job. Her final day on the council was April 13.

The council will have a special meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 24, in executive session to consider the qualifications of the candidates and determine which applicants to interview. Council members will interview the finalists and could make an appointment to replace Budell at a special meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 8 at City Hall.

Interested applicants were asked to submit a resume and a cover letter explaining why they want to serve on the council, along with the unique skills and relevant experience, as well as any experience with civic, professional or volunteer organizations and other city boards or commissions.

Thirty-eight people applied four years ago to replace Ken Sharp, who resigned shortly after taking office. The council picked Brenda Fincher to replace Sharp. Fincher remains a council member.

State law does not set out any specific procedure to replace council members except that the council must act to fill the position within 90 days.

The new council member will serve until an election for the position in November 2019. The appointed council member also will be eligible to run for the position. The elected individual would take office as soon as the election is certified. Budell had just under two years remaining on her four-year term.

The council consists of seven members who are elected to four-year terms. The council establishes law and policy by passing ordinances and resolutions. Each council member receives a monthly salary of $1,265.

Kent City Council applicants:

(listed alphabetically by last name)

• Paul Winfield Addis

• Atama Anand

• Bruce Kenneth Anderson

• Merle Barnes

• Dominique A. Bergeron

• Hira Singh Bhullar

• James Boorn

• Ted (Theodore) David Butler

• Suzanne Cameron

• Alexandrea Conn

• Lee Ann Dickson

• David L. Folz

• Sara Denise Henrietta Franklin

• Selena Beth Hawks Hayes

• Tiffany Janibagian

• Denis (Bobby) Jones

• Josephine Karanja

• Marli Larimer

• Lionell Leon Lomax

• Zandria Michaud

• Brandon Mitchell

• Hoa Pantastico

• Jim Pemberton

• Jeff Piecewicz

• Mizanur Rahman

• Clint K. Read

• Peter Andrew Richards

• Bruce R. Robinson

• Rita Ann Schwarting

• William D. Shorr

• Sarah Smith

• Suzanne Smith

• Andrew Swansen

• Toya Thomas

• Binoy Varughese

• Dmitry Yusim