HAYDEN — Past Hayden City Council president and longtime Councilman Roger Saterfiel will go for the position of interim mayor.

"I love the city of Hayden and I think I have the experience to make this a smooth transition," he told The Press.

Saterfiel's experience includes running large operations, conducting yearly budgets and working for boards of county commissioners for several years.

He has been elected to the Hayden City Council three times unopposed.

"I hope that shows confidence from the public I am up for the position," Saterfiel said. "I am familiar with how council works and I feel I can work with them to move the city forward."

He said Hayden's staff members know him, "so the transition should work just fine."

"I learned a lot from (former mayors) Ron McIntire and Steve Griffitts," Saterfiel said. "Their mentoring should be a great asset to me to do the job."

He explained he would have submitted his intent to pursue the interim mayor role at the last Hayden council meeting, but was absent because of a back injury.

"Our city administrator and our clerk, as well as the rest of staff, will help me be successful," Saterfiel said. "I count on them a lot as it is now, so that won't change. I hope council will select me and we can work closely together.

The process for appointing the interim mayor to fill the vacancy left by Griffitts' resignation will continue during the March 22 Hayden City Council meeting. The council will also consider appointing Councilwoman Sandy White after White threw her hat into the ring for the position at the last Council meeting.

White was elected to the council last fall and began serving two months ago. She has no other experience as a public official.

The interim mayor will serve until the term expires in 2024.