Applications open for Palmer’s third council vacancy in less than a year

What you need to know:

• Palmer is seeking applicants to fill a City Council seat vacated earlier this month by Victoria Hudson. Applications are open through Feb. 9. 
• Mayor Jim Cooper will appoint a replacement following an interview process. He said he is looking for candidates who are critical thinkers and willing to learn on the job. Applicants must be city residents and registered voters.
• This is the third council vacancy in less than a year, following the resignation of Richard Best and Cooper’s election as mayor.

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PALMER — Palmer city officials are once again seeking a resident to fill a empty seat on the City Council.

The seat was vacated earlier this month when City Council member Victoria Hudson resigned, due to what she said was a range of ongoing conflicts with city staff, including what she described as accountability concerns. 

Applications are available on the city’s website and are open through Feb. 9. The deadline may be extended to allow more time for applicants, Palmer Mayor Jim Cooper said.

The vacancy marks the third time in less than a year the council has faced an open seat and application process.

Council member Richard Best resigned in March following turmoil over possible city sanctions and concerns that his presence could be hindering the council’s work, he said. Council member Ken Erbey was selected to fill that seat until the October election, when he stepped down.

A second seat opened in October when then–Council member Jim Cooper was elected mayor. That seat was filled later in the year by Council member Penny Mosher.

Hudson’s departure offers another opportunity for a city resident to serve in local government without first running for office.

According to city code, vacant council seats are filled by mayoral appointment and do not require a council vote. Applicants must be city residents and registered voters. The appointed person will serve until the regular October election, when they must either step down or run for the seat.

Cooper said he will email follow-up questions to qualified applicants. A final candidate will be chosen from those who respond, he said.

Cooper said he’s seeking an applicant willing to learn and take on the complex topics the council addresses.

“Everybody starts new — you don’t typically walk in having been a council member before. It can be a steep learning curve,” he said. “I’m looking for people who pay attention to what’s going on, come and talk to the city manager, talk to me, get some insight as to the direction that we’re headed.”

He added that he’s not looking for someone who regularly agrees with him but instead wants to appoint a “critical thinker.”

“I’m not looking to have a bobblehead. I’m looking for someone who is a critical thinker and looks at everything,” he said. “If the vote is different than mine, that’s okay.”

-- Contact Amy Bushatz at contact@matsusentinel.com

This story was updated Jan. 26 to correct a typo in Ken Erbey's name.