Toppenish seeks more council applicants

TOPPENISH -- After denying their sole applicant a vacant position on the City Council earlier this month, council members for a second time will advertise the position in hopes of garnering more interest.

Earlier this month, Christina Kwan was the only applicant for the post vacated last month by Ed Pacheco, who cited health problems.

After interviewing Kwan on June 8, City Council members told her she should have also filed her candidacy for the post with the Yakima County Elections Department.

The person appointed to the post would have to run in the next election if interested in finishing the term that expires in 2011.

During a regular meeting Monday night, council members agreed to advertise the position again on July 1 and July 8 via newspaper ads.

Councilman Blaine Thorington said the council is interested in better advertising the position in hopes of getting a larger group to select from.

Normally, applicants interested in vacant council positions are not required to file their candidacy with the county when seeking an appointment from the City Council.

But Thorington said it was a requirement this time because the post became vacant near the filing period.

"It was the council's opinion that if someone really had an interest, they would have taken the initiative and filed for that position," he said.

But no one filed for that position as well as another one that is up for election in November. Anyone interested in any seats on the council will now have to wait for a three-day special filing period that begins on Aug. 26.

Kwan said she didn't understand why council members interviewed her before bringing up any problem with her application.

"I wasn't aware of this," said the 50-year-old state Department of Social and Health Services social worker. "Nowhere in the application packet does it say that."

This was the third time she was turned down for a vacant position on the council in as many years, and the first time she was the lone applicant.

But she still has an interest in the post.

"I'm going to jump through all the hoops that I have to, register in August and run for office," she said.

Despite the reason for denying Kwan the post, the council is now looking to fill the vacancy on the seven-member board before the special filing period, which won't be held until more than 90 days past the time the post became vacant on May 22, Thorington said.

If the council doesn't, then Yakima County Commissioners will be empowered to do so, he said the council was told by the city attorney.

"It's a decision the City Council doesn't want to give up," he said.

* Phil Ferolito can be reached at 509-577-7749 or pferolito@yakimaherald.com.