EPHRATA - Grant County commissioners will have their choice of four candidates to fill the vacant seat on the Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District's Board of Directors.

Past board directors Richard Teals and Norm Benson, realtor Tom Bennett and retired chiropractor Kris Dexter have shown interest in the position, according to the Grant County Commissioner's Office.

The application period for the open position closed last week, but no formal interview date was set. Commissioners said they anticipate setting a date by the end of this week.

They are searching for someone to fill the position on the board left vacant by former director Ken Kernan.

Kernan announced his resignation in September, citing plans to travel. His resignation is effective Oct. 13.

Kernan's replacement will serve until his term expires in December 2015.

Dexter and Bennett both indicated interest in a seat on the district's board earlier this year, when county commissioners were seeking a replacement for former director Mick Hansen.

Teals was elected to serve a six-year term on the board back in 2002. He ran for re-election in 2009, but lost to opponent Rich Archer, according to a previous Columbia Basin Herald article.

Teals is a retired English teacher for the Moses Lake School District.

Benson's term on the MLIRD board expired in December 2011.