Eatonville Town Councilman Jim Valentine, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor in the primary election, has resigned from the council. Valentine notified town officials last Wednesday that he was resigning. He's been a council member for six years and is approximately halfway through a four-year term he won in the November 2011 election, when he ran unopposed. To replace Valentine, Mayor Ray Harper will appoint a temporary successor to serve the rest of Valentine's term. The appointment will be subject to the council's approval. Harper didn't have any potential appointees or a schedule last week for when the appointment would be made. Whoever is picked will be eligible to run for the office, along with any other candidates, in the 2015 election, according to the Pierce County elections department. Valentine, when contacted Thursday for comment about his resignation, said, "The only statement I have to make at this present time is the memorandum of my resignation." In that memo to Harper, Valentine wrote, "This is to advise you that I am resigning my council position on the Eatonville Town Council effective Aug. 7, 2013." It wasn't known if Valentine's decision was related to his showing in the race for mayor in the primary, which ended Aug. 6, one day before he revealed he would leave the council. Valentine finished fourth among four candidates. He received approximately 10 percent of the votes. Treasurer Mike Schaub and Councilman Gordon Bowman finished first and second, respectively. The winner between them in the general election in November will replace Harper, who isn't seeking re-election.
Process for filling council vacancy
Applications are being accepted from Eatonville residents who'd like to fill a vacancy on the Town Council. The mayor and council will appoint someone to replace former councilman Jim Valentine, who resigned Aug;. 7. It's anticipated that the appointment will be made at the Sept. 23 council meeting. The appointee will complete the remaining two years of the four-year term that Valentine was serving. The seat will be up for election in 2015. To qualify for the appointment, applicants must be registered voters and have lived in the town for a minimum of one year prior to appointment. Prospective applicants may submit a letter of interest stating their qualifications to the town clerks's office in Town Hall at 201 Center St W. The application deadline is 2:30 p.m. Sept. 3.
(Read more in the Aug. 14 and Aug. 21 print editions of The Dispatch)
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