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West Richland council appoints Dan Ritchie to fill council vacancy after interviews
Summary
After interviewing four applicants, the West Richland City Council voted 6‑1 to appoint the candidate identified in the record as Dan Ritchie (the transcript includes a self‑identification as "Dan Ricci"). The appointee will be sworn in at the March 3 regular meeting and will serve through certification of the Nov. 27 general election.
At a special West Richland City Council meeting, the council voted 6‑1 to appoint the candidate the record refers to as Dan Ritchie to fill the council vacancy created when the mayor was sworn in earlier this year. The clerk reported the roll‑call result as six in favor and one opposed; the transcript records Council member Moran as the lone no vote. The mayor said the new member will be sworn in at the March 3 regular council meeting and will serve through certification of the Nov. 27 general election.
The meeting opened with the city clerk, Stephanie Haug, reading hybrid‑meeting ground rules and the mayor summarizing the appointment process: the city received 10 applications (one was late and one failed residency requirements), a subcommittee advanced four candidates for interviews, and each interview included a three‑minute opening statement followed by questions from council members.
Four applicants spoke to the council in sequence. The candidate who introduced himself in the record as "Dan Ricci" said he has lived in the community about 40 years, cited decades of Hanford and project‑management work and emphasized citizen engagement. "I've been here for, right at 40 years and tried to be an active, engaged citizen," he said during his opening remarks. He told council members he would prioritize practical project delivery and suggested sponsorships and private partnerships as one revenue tool for service areas such as park maintenance.
Luis Ojeda (who identified himself as a Hanford contractor and former TRIDEC secretary) stressed infrastructure and water‑rights priorities, saying a hypothetical $1,000,000 grant should be used to shore up sewer, water and other utilities to support growth. Nancy Aldridge (a 40‑year resident and former West Richland council member) proposed building a community center and hiring an economic‑development specialist; she also urged financial and management audits to root out waste and recommended targeted supports so small businesses could afford connection and impact fees. Chad Utech (nine years on the planning commission) emphasized planning and road improvements and said the city should pursue commercial and industrial development to broaden the tax base.
After the interviews the council recessed to executive session under RCW 42.30.110(1)(h) to discuss candidate qualifications. On return, Council member Ken Stoker moved to appoint the candidate named in the record as Dan Ritchie; the motion carried 6‑1. The clerk announced the affirmative vote total and the mayor congratulated the appointee and thanked the applicants for participating.
The council's decision fills the vacancy created by the mayor's earlier swearing‑in; the mayor said the newly appointed member will be formally sworn in at the council's March 3 meeting. The meeting then adjourned.
