The Bayview Water and Sewer District board has filled a vacancy created by board member Chuck Waller's death last month.

Rich Doney, president of the Cape Horn Estates Homeowners Association, was chosen Thursday. He is a former police detective.

"Richard has many other important strengths," board member Stephen May said.

Doney will help make the district more open to the public and customer-service oriented, May said.

Doney was the first choice of three board members, and second choice of board member Don Gardner.

Six candidates were interviewed for the position, and the four board members ranked them.

Chuck Murray, who lost to May in this year's election, didn't seek the appointment as he had last month.

"The public was in attendance this time - a far cry from the previous decades of dark election cronyism politics," May said.

Board member Sharon Meyer said Doney was her top pick because he has good communication skills, has shown he is level-headed and fair and he represents a portion of the district that hasn't been represented.

"Civility has returned and democracy has prevailed," Meyer said.

Doney couldn't immediately be reached Friday for comment.