John Hamilton chosen to fill Port Angeles City Council seat

Port Angeles — The Port Angeles City Council voted unanimously Sept. 2 to appoint John Hamilton to fill the city's vacant Position 7, following a public interview process with three finalists. The council used a ranked-choice method among councilmembers after hearing public interviews from three candidates. Councilmembers said they wanted a transparent, public process before choosing a replacement to serve until the next regular municipal election. Hamilton will be sworn in on Sept. 3 or any date thereafter before the council's second meeting in September. The decision followed roughly an hour of candidate interviews earlier in the meeting. Councilmembers said they weighed experience, time available for council duties and responses to questions on housing, homelessness, public safety, and council oversight before casting their ranked choices. In the first round of ranked-choice voting, Hamilton received a majority of first-choice votes, and a formal motion to appoint him was seconded and approved unanimously. Councilmembers present for the appointment included Mayor Kate Dexter, Deputy Mayor Kerr and councilmembers Miller, Navarro, Schwab and Suggs. The appointment fills the remainder of the seat's term. The council did not adopt any additional conditions or policy directions as part of the appointment motion. Looking ahead, Hamilton is scheduled to be sworn in on Sept. 3 or at a convenient time after that date so he can participate in upcoming council business.