February 4th, 2011 by KenJeff Gadman has been appointed to the Lacey City Council to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Mary Dean.
Gadman will take his seat immediately but will have to run for election in the fall.
After three hours of interviews Thursday, with nine candidates, the Lacey Council originally had a split vote on the appointment. Lenny Greenstein received the support of Virgil Clarkson and Jason Hearn, while Gadman received the nod from Andy Ryder, Ron Lawson, Cynthia Pratt and Mayor Tom Nelson. After the first vote, the council cast a unanimous ballot for Gadman.
If the name sounds familiar, Gadman ran unsuccessfully last year for Thurston County Assessor.
Greenstein has already announced his intention to seek the seat in the fall election. Gadman hasn’t yet created a political committee.
Behind the scene
Councilmember Andy Ryder’s wife wrote a letter of support for Gadman in his application for appointment. Both Ryder and Councilmember Ron Lawson are active and involved in the Democratic party, as is Gadman. Ryder and Lawson received the endorsement of the fire fighters union while running for the council seat two years ago. Gadman received the endorsement of the state employees union while running for county assessor. Ryder and Lawson pushed to have interviews postponed until their compatriot Cynthia Pratt could return from Africa.
And, Gadman interviewed the best of all nine candidates.
Visit www.KenBalsley.com for Ken’s background and many more articles.
