Former Cheney manager candidate for Valley post

Paul D. Schmidt, of Cheney, has been announced as the third candidate for the city manager position in Spokane Valley.

Schmidt, 56, has a home address in Cheney but has been city administrator of Oak Harbor, Wash., since 2006. Prior to that he was the city administrator in Cheney for seven years and director of public works there for 13 years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and political science and a master’s degree in public administration from Eastern Washington University.

He joins candidates Michael R. Wilson, of Gig Harbor, Wash., and Spokane Valley acting city manager Mike Jackson.

The city manager post became vacant in January when Dave Mercier, was asked to resign after four new council members took office. Jackson was named acting city manager in February.

The city has been reluctant to release the number of finalists for the job and the number of people interviewed last week. City spokeswoman Carolbelle Branch said late Thursday that no more names are anticipated.