Oregon Public Broadcasting

Monday night Vancouver City leaders will interview four finalists for a seat on the Council bench. April Baer reports.

There’s an empty seat on the Vancouver City Council because former councilor Tim Leavitt is now mayor.

An initial field of fifteen candidates has been winnowed down to a utilities manager, a retired math teacher, a technology consultant, and a former  consignment store owner. All five have volunteer and public service experience.

Sitting councilor Jack Burkman says he agrees with Mayor Leavitt that experience is important, but he’s also looking for someone who’s electable.

Jack Burkman  “Whoever is appointed to this position must immediately launch a campaign, becuyase they will undergo an election to retain this appointed seat, and that only gets them one more year on council.”

If the appointee wants to stay on council, he or she would have to run again in 2011.

Burkman notes that, given the economy, it’s a challenging time to ask people to abandon full-time work for a part-time council commitment.

A final selection will be made at the end of tonight’s meeting.