Post Falls council sets strict rules for filling vacant seats
CAROLYN BOSTICK | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 months, 4 weeks AGO
Carolyn Bostick has worked for the Coeur d’Alene Press since June 2023. She covers Shoshone County and Coeur d'Alene. Carolyn previously worked in Utica, New York at the Observer-Dispatch for almost seven years before briefly working at The Inquirer and Mirror in Nantucket, Massachusetts. Since she moved to the Pacific Northwest from upstate New York in 2021, she's performed with the Spokane Shakespeare Society for three summers. | January 16, 2025 1:00 AM
POST FALLS — City councilors have given Mayor Ron Jacobson specific requirements for candidates to fill the council seat vacated by Josh Walker.
At the Jan. 7 council meeting, Jacobson announced that residents who "had run for and been defeated in an election should not or would not be considered" for the position.
Jacobson later explained that he had consulted with all council members except newly appointed Ryan Davis to develop criteria for qualifying and disqualifying candidates. While he said he personally believed previous government experience would be valuable, Jacobson prioritized selecting candidates likely to receive council confirmation.
City Councilor Randy Westlund emphasized his desire for "fresh perspectives" on the council. He argued that "appointing someone to a role after they were rejected by the voters would be contrary to the principles of representative government."
Westlund advocated for choosing someone not "directly involved in the political infighting that plagues conservative governance in North Idaho," explaining his goal to "keep the drama out of Post Falls so we can focus on getting stuff done."
The council is taking a more measured approach to filling this vacancy compared to the urgent appointment of Kenny Shove's replacement in late 2024, which was expedited to maintain quorum flexibility.
"I'd also asked for a candidate who has demonstrated competence and leadership in business, nonprofits or other community organizations," Westlund said. "The ideal candidate would be someone serious who can learn quickly and contribute to the city's mission: building community."
Westlund praised Jacobson's thorough candidate screening process and attention to councilors' preferences. "He's gone beyond the minimum required by state law in an effort to find a good candidate we can all get behind," Westlund said.
No other councilors had responded to The Press's inquiries about the selection criteria by press time.
Candidate interviews will be held tonight at 5 p.m. at City Hall and are open to the public.
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