La Conner council appoints arts and planning commissioners; nominees introduce themselves

The La Conner Town Council on July 22 approved appointments to the town’s arts and planning commissions, and nominees spoke briefly to the council about their backgrounds. The council passed a resolution appointing Sarah Dalton to the arts commission and later approved two appointments to the planning commission, including a six-year term for Maya Ocholeto and a temporary placement for Timothy Corey through December to finish an existing seat. The arts appointment was approved by voice vote after the council’s recommendation that Dalton, who organized a recent arts weekend, would serve on the commission. The council then introduced planning nominees. Maya Ocholeto told the council she has lived in La Conner for a little more than three years, has a background in politics and nonprofit boards, and said she planned to remain in town for the length of a full term. “I have no intention of moving out of the area,” Ocholeto said. The council also named Timothy Corey to fill a vacancy through December so he could learn planning processes before taking a longer term. A member of the public, Kathy Shiner of 216 North Third Street, had asked the council at the start of the meeting that nominees be given time for background remarks so residents could “know what they’re qualified for,” a request the council accommodated by allowing Ocholeto to speak. The council voted to approve the resolutions by voice vote; the meeting record shows the motions were seconded and carried. Newly appointed members were informed they would be notified and attend upcoming commission meetings. The appointments expand commission membership as the town looks to maintain quorum and broaden participation. Council members noted interest in recruiting residents willing to serve and acknowledged public interest in in-town representation for volunteer positions. Sarah Dalton, Maya Ocholeto and Timothy Corey are expected to begin serving in their respective roles and to attend commission meetings in the coming weeks.