District 2 vacancy hearing draws residents urging appointment of Christina Sabastinas

The Spokane City Council on July 14 held a public hearing to accept testimony from residents regarding candidates for the District 2 council vacancy. The hearing invited comments "in support or not support" of candidates and emphasized civility and relevance to qualifications. Multiple District 2 residents testified in favor of a candidate identified in the public record as Christina Sabastinas (testimony variously spelled in the record). Susan Wilmeth, a long-term South Hill resident, told council she watched candidate interviews and felt Christina Sabastinas "spoke from her heart" and would represent ordinary residents for the interim four-month appointment. Candy Galvin, another District 2 resident, also urged council to consider Sabastinas and said she wanted an "ordinary person" seat to give voice to residents who feel unrepresented. Council closed the public hearing after the remarks and proceeded per council rules; the hearing was part of a process that included candidate application materials and recorded interviews available in the meeting packet. The hearing closed by unanimous voice vote recorded as 6–0. The council did not make an appointment during the hearing; the item was limited to public testimony.