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Public commenter urges council to avoid appointing declared candidates to temporary seat
Summary
A member of the public asked the committee to refrain from appointing anyone who has already filed to run for a Lake Forest Park council seat to a temporary appointment, saying such an appointment would create an unfair advantage in the upcoming election.
A member of the public used the committee’s public‑comment period to urge the council not to appoint a person who has already filed as a candidate for a Lake Forest Park council seat to serve temporarily before the fall election.
The commenter said the temporary appointment process “creates an unfair advantage in the upcoming election” because incumbency can provide “the appearance of legitimacy” and “privileged access to inside information.” They asked the council to “please honor the spirit of fair elections,” and asked the committee to select “a temporary employee who is not currently running for office and who understands that their role is to serve the public until the voters make their decisions this fall.”
Budget Chair John Lebo and other committee members allowed the brief comment and accepted the speaker’s handout; Lebo set a three‑minute limit and the speaker did not exceed it. The committee made no appointment or decision during the meeting; the item was presented as public comment only.
Less critical detail: the commenter said their concerns were about process rather than any individual, and that the remarks were intended to apply to an upcoming meeting concerning a council vacancy.
