Noel Monin was appointed to the Friday Harbor Town Council today, filling a vacancy caused by the resignation of Christopher Wolf.
Monin must win the next election — Aug. 18 or Nov. 3, depending on the number of candidates — in order to complete the term, which expires Dec. 31, 2011. Monin filed his declaration of candidacy today with the county elections office.
Monin, 35, grew up in Sedro-Woolley, graduated from Sedro-Woolley High School, and moved to San Juan Island to work for State Parks building trails at Lime Kiln State Park. In 1997, he became a volunteer firefighter with San Juan County Fire District 3. He became a paid staff member in 2001. He is now a fire captain as well as the district’s maintenance supervisor.
Monin moved to town — on Carter Avenue, across from the sports fields — in 2006, and has served as a town planning commissioner. He and his wife, Ann, have a 6-year-old daughter.
Monin said he’s most concerned about utility rates and fiscal responsibility. “I just want to put my best foot forward for the citizens of Friday Harbor,” he said.
The council gave each applicant for the vacancy an opportunity to make a statement at the noon meeting. San Juan County Sheriff’s Deputy Felix Menjivar was unable to attend.
Clinton Mills, a chemical dependency counselor at Allied Counseling Services on Argyle Avenue, told of his own experience helping people. Noting that counseling is often reactive, he said he looked forward to being a proactive influence in the community, to “deter situations when they come and make life better for residents and visitors.”
Councilwoman Carrie Brooks nominated Monin, noting his service as a planning commissioner and his attendance at recent council meetings. “He’s ready to start with us,” she said. However, she thanked the other candidates and reminded them that an election is coming up — and that the candidate filing period ends Friday.
The appointment was seconded by Councilwoman Carrie Lacher and approved 3-0; Councilwoman Liz Illg was not present. Monin was immediately sworn in.
The Town Council is a legislative body. Council members adopt resolutions and ordinances, approve changes in zoning, make policy and approve the budget. Council members are paid $85 per meeting for up to four meetings per month. That’s $340 a month, $4,080 a year.
30 candidates for 42 positions countywide
The candidate filing period closes Friday at 4:30 p.m. With a little more than 24 hours to go, there were 30 candidates for 42 positions countywide.
In Friday Harbor, the positions of mayor and three council positions will be on the ballot. Councilwoman Anna Maria de Freitas filed her declaration of candidacy today. Councilwoman Liz Illg had not filed for reelection. The only contested race was for mayor: Councilwoman Carrie Lacher, who would be the town’s first woman mayor; and county Fire Marshal Bob Low, a former town fire chief.
