Ridgefield seeks residents’ input on council seat

The city of Ridgefield isn’t letting any grass grow under its feet in finding someone to fill a vacancy on its city council. The city is working to include city residents in the process.

A virtual town hall meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m. March 16 will allow residents to meet the candidates, learn more about them and hear answers to questions submitted in advance.

The council position was left open in February after longtime councilor and mayor Don Stose retired. Stose spent 12 years on the council, four of those as mayor. He said he planned to spend more time with his family and travel with his wife, Sherry.

The city began the process to replace Stose last month, with applications accepted until Feb. 28. Now that the application period has ended, each of the six remaining city council members will select up to five candidates. Once the councilors have selected the candidates, the names will be posted on the city’s website at https://ridgefieldwa.us.

All candidates will be notified whether they have been selected to move forward with an interview by Thursday.

Following the town hall meeting, the council will hold interviews, appoint the new council member and swear in that person on March 24.

Members of the public can submit questions prior to the virtual Town Hall to City Clerk Julie Ferris by emailing julie.ferriss@ridgefieldwa.us. Questions also may be accepted during the town hall if time allows.

Questions must be for all participating candidates and may not be directed at singular candidates. Questions will come from the community, rather than council members.

Those attending the town hall can also submit feedback on the candidates after the meeting by emailing the city clerk.

The town hall meeting will be held via the Zoom platform. To join the meeting, go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81622300499?pwd=MEQ1SlJkdzFWUnhCdUl0Q3FlaGtRUT09. The passcode is 134637.

For information on attending using a cellphone or landline, go to https://ridgefieldwa.us/city-council-vacancy-february-2022. International numbers are available.

For questions about the meeting or how to attend, email julie.ferriss@ridgefieldwa.us.