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Anacortes narrows Ward 1 appointment field, sets questions and format for Feb. 17 interviews
Summary
After hearing candidate statements, the council nominated a five‑person slate (Courtney Oreck, Sarah Henry, Susanna Clements, Marsha Hunt and John Gasser) to advance in the Ward 1 appointment process and set rules for the Feb. 17 interviews, including five‑minute statements and one written question from each councilmember.
Anacortes — The City Council on Feb. 9 advanced five applicants for further consideration to fill the Ward 1 vacancy and adopted the format for next week’s interviews.
HR Director Kendall Moyle opened the item by noting the Ward 1 vacancy arose Jan. 1 when councilmember Ryan Walters assumed the mayor’s office and that state law gives council 90 days to fill the seat; Moyle said the city received 11 applications (two later withdrew) and tonight’s meeting would feature candidate statements.
Ten applicants who appeared provided brief statements summarizing their qualifications and interest. After the presentations, council recessed into executive session to evaluate candidate qualifications, reconvened, and then adopted a nomination process allowing each councilmember to nominate one applicant to a slate. Nominations produced a five‑person slate: Courtney Oreck, Sarah Henry, Susanna Clements, Marsha Hunt and John Gasser. Council voted to move that slate forward to the Feb. 17 meeting for final interviews and public appointment.
The council also set the interview format for Feb. 17: each councilmember will submit one written question to be included in the meeting packet (questions due to the mayor by the end of the next day), candidates will provide five‑minute statements at the Feb. 17 meeting addressing those packet questions, and the chair will manage any bench follow‑up questions after all candidates have spoken. Councilmembers discussed limits and logistics to keep the session manageable, and agreed on the five‑minute statement length and a process for submitting and publishing questions.
Why it matters: The appointment will determine Ward 1 representation on council until the next regular election in fall 2027; the process was set to balance transparency (packet questions) with limited time for follow‑up.
What's next: The five candidates will prepare five‑minute statements answering the submitted questions and will appear for interviews during the Feb. 17 meeting; council intends to deliberate and vote publicly at that meeting.
