15 Residents Sign Up To Take Chris Anderson’s Council Seat

FOR THE RECORD: 1-10-97 CORRECTION: James Lundberg, who is applying to fill the vacant Spokane City Council seat, lives on the South Hill. His residence was wrong in a story Thursday.

They may not want his baggage, but at least 15 Spokane residents want Chris Anderson’s council seat.

Nearly half those vying for the spot the often-controversial, always-colorful Anderson vacated last month are unknowns. They don’t frequent the council chambers and have made barely a blip on the political radar screen.

Several other applicants have run unsuccessfully for the council in the past. One already served on the council for six years.

Still, more people may apply before the 5 p.m. Friday deadline.

As of Wednesday afternoon, those interested in the job range from a diversity counselor to a minister, a snowplow driver to an unemployed legal secretary.

They list a variety of community activities, from recycling to donating blood, “attending public school functions” and “getting streets plowed on the South Hill.” They’ve served on boards such as the Spokane Chamber of Commerce and United Way.

“I’m delighted to see there’s that kind of assortment,” said Councilman Mike Brewer.

A majority of council members said they’d like to fill Anderson’s spot with a North Side resident. With Anderson gone, only Brewer lives north of the Spokane River.

“We need a little better balance,” said Councilman Orville Barnes. “If we add another person from the south side we’d be totally out of balance.”

Council members listed a variety of other attributes they’d like to see in Anderson’s replacement, such as “dedication,” “energy” and “vision.”

“I want someone who will serve the city in an intelligent, effective manner and provide the leadership to do things we need to be doing,” said Mayor Jack Geraghty.

Anderson resigned his seat Dec. 31 after missing 21 meetings from May 28 to Nov. 4. He moved with his wife and three daughters from Spokane last month and refused to say where he was going.

Here are the applicants for the vacant seat, along with information they provided:

North Side resident Ann Hurst, a former attorney for the Federal Education Association in Washington, D.C., and a member of the Mount Spokane Advisory Committee.

South Side resident Don Barlow, a diversity counselor and United Way board member who ran unsuccessfully for the council in 1990.

South Side resident Tom Cunningham, a sales representative who serves on the Browne’s Addition Steering Committee.

South Side resident Bob Dellwo, an attorney and city Planning Commission member who served six years on the council before losing his seat to Barnes in 1991.

North Side resident Betty Hennessey, a real estate broker who serves on the city Arts Commission.

South Side resident Micheal Holmes, a community college instructor who ran unsuccessfully for the council in 1993.

South Side resident Jim Kolva, a land-use planner and city Planning Commission member who ran unsuccessfully for the council in 1995 against Roberta Greene.

North Side resident Richard Krauel, a retired farmer who works part-time as a snow-plow driver for the state Department of Transportation and part-time at Jack in the Box.

North Side resident James Ludberg, a sales manager for Standard Print and a member of the city’s Community Development Board.

Downtown resident Mary Jo PullenHughes, an unemployed legal secretary and Hospice volunteer.

North Side resident Steven Reynolds, who works for URM Stores, Inc. and is a member of Children’s Museum of Spokane.

South Side resident Robert Schroeder, an attendant on disability buses who ran unsuccessfully for the council in 1995.

North Side resident John Talbott, a retired Air Force colonel who ran unsuccessfully for the council against Barnes in 1995. South Side resident Brenda Tudor, a minister at Centenary United Methodist Church and a Spokane Food Bank board member.

North Side resident Ken Withey, an energy management specialist who ran unsuccessfully for the council in 1993 and 1995.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Council application The mayor’s office will accept applications for the vacant council seat through 5 p.m. Friday. Council members hope to hold public interviews with three or four candidates Jan. 24 and announce their decision by Jan. 27.