Chair of Mason Cemetery District 1 urges county help filling a seat after 120-day vacancy

Ken Van Buskirk, chair of Mason Cemetery District 1, spoke to the commissioners seeking help to fill a board vacancy that he said has been open for more than 120 days. Van Buskirk said the district had three applicants but one lived outside the district boundary and that the most recent resignation had originally been filled by the county five years ago.

"We had we had 3 applicants. 1 of them lived outside the district boundaries," Van Buskirk said, and he advised the commissioners that if the county does not appoint a successor within 180 days the governor must make an appointment. He asked the board to issue a press release and follow the previous process used by the county auditor's office and the commissioners to publicize and interview potential candidates.

Commissioners agreed to assist: they offered to issue or repeat a press release, check how the county handled the prior vacancy and to help refer interested candidates to the auditors' office for referral and interviews. Commissioners noted distribution challenges with the Shelton Journal in North Mason and discussed additional outreach options.

Why it matters: The cemetery board vacancy affects governance of Mason Cemetery District 1 and, if unfilled past the statutory period, could lead to a gubernatorial appointment. Filling the seat requires outreach targeted to residents within the cemetery district boundaries.

Next steps: Commissioners said they will check past procedures, issue outreach as appropriate, and follow the prior process used to solicit and refer candidates for interview.