Failed candidates, volunteers, legislative aides and one disgruntled Spokane City Council meeting regular were among the 22 people who applied to fill a vacancy on the council.
The seat, which represents south Spokane, was held by Jon Snyder, who left the city earlier this month for a policy adviser position in state government. The remaining members will appoint a replacement who will serve the rest of his term ending in 2017.
The position is nonpartisan, but the council has a liberal 5-1 majority, a coalition that included Snyder before his resignation. The council will review the applicants, interview their top choices and vote to fill the seat Feb. 8 during a regularly scheduled Monday night meeting. It pays about $31,000 a year.
The applicants are:
Rae-Lynn Barden, who worked as former Councilman Mike Allen’s legislative aide and is chairwoman of the Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council. She works as an executive assistant to Andrew Chanse, director of the Spokane Public Library.
Breean Beggs, who unsuccesfully ran for county prosecutor in 2014 and represented the family of Otto Zehm in a suit against the city. He also is legal counsel for the city’s police ombudsman commission.
Todd Beyreuther, an assistant research professor at the Institute for Sustainable Design at Washington State University.
LaVerne Biel, who attempted to join the council twice, in 2013 and 2015, but was turned away by voters. She and her husband own Access Unified Networks, which installs voice and data systems for businesses.
Terry Black, a lawyer who volunteered for Mayor David Condon’s 2011 and 2015 campaigns.
Asher Ernst, who works for the First Presbyterian Church of Spokane and has been on the city’s Plan Commission since 2008.
Robert Gilles, a real estate broker who listed former Council President Joe Shogan as a personal reference.
Charlie Greenwood, a member of the Spokane Bicycle Club and volunteer with the Peaceful Valley Neighborhood Council.
Patricia Hansen, a member of the Cliff-Cannon Neighborhood executive committee who recently helped clarify the city’s law ruling where cellphone towers can be built.
Grant Keller, a real estate agent and owner of a design and construction firm who served on the city’s recent Infill Housing Task Force, and the Centers and Corridors Design Guidelines Task Force.
Anthony Kiepe, a former pharmaceutical company sales representative who listed as references the current CEO and CFO of Hollister-Stier, where he was director of national field sales.
David Lucas, a retiree and Marine veteran who volunteers with the Rockwood Neighborhood Council.
Randy McGlenn, the information technology manager at Access Unified Networks, which is owned by another applicant, LaVerne Biel.
George McGrath, a retiree and regular attendee of council meetings, where he lambastes the council for wasting taxpayer money and being out of step with constituents.
Ryan Oelrich, the executive director of Priority Spokane, an advocacy organization for homeless people.
Jess Ponikvar, an information technology systems engineer who volunteers with the Camp Stix diabetes program and camp.
Kyle Reavis, owner of 509 Appraisals and a certified real estate appraiser.
Stephanie Regalado, an editor at Bozzi Media who launched Spokane CDA Woman magazine.
Alex Scott, a student at Gonzaga University School of Law who was a member of the College Place City Council from 2009 to 2013.
Blaine Stum, Snyder’s former legislative aide and chairman of the city’s Human Rights Commission. He is also the chairman of Inland Northwest Business Alliance’s public policy committee.
Phillip Tyler, an Air Force veteran and vice president of the Spokane NAACP who worked with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office for 15 years, achieving the rank of lieutenant. Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich wrote a letter to the council endorsing Tyler for the position.
John Waite, a four-time candidate for the council who owns Merlyn’s, a comics and game store.
