Six people have applied so far for the vacant Kent City Council position.
The early applicants include Dean Carlson, Elliot Heifetz, Richard L. Mauser, Michael Sealfon, Lauren Stephan and Cheri Stewart, according to an email Tuesday from City Clerk Ronald Moore.
Sealfon is the only one who has recently run for the council. He lost to Dana Ralph in a 2011 City Council race. He also applied for a council vacancy in 2008 filled by Jamie (Danielson) Perry.
The position became vacant when Ken Sharp resigned Jan. 16 after only two weeks in office because of pending first-degree theft charges. His resignation left the seven-member council one person short.
People who have lived in the city limits for at least one year and are registered voters can apply up to 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7. Apply online at kentwa.gov or email applications to cityclerk@kentwa.gov. Applicants should submit a resume and a cover letter about why they want to serve on the council. The part-time position pays $13,752 per year.
The council will have a special meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11 to review the applications during an executive session and decide who they want to interview as finalists. The council will have another special meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25 to interview the finalists and then meet in executive session before voting on who shall be appointed.
The term of the person appointed to the position will begin with their appointment and end when the November 2015 election is certified. The person appointed is eligible to run for the position in 2015.
Sharp faces seven counts of first-degree theft for reportedly stealing $297,500 from his 93-year-old mother’s bank account and putting the money into his account to help his struggling Kent print company. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is scheduled for a Feb. 19 court hearing.
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