Five of the eight candidates who applied for the Peggy Berry vacancy responded to a request that they email their speeches. Daniel Overton: “I do appreciate the opportunity but respectfully decline this offer. While I see the merit of giving voice to all I feel it is time we get behind the change and support the new regime.” Ginny Hill: “I didn’t prepare a speech.  As usual I just wanted to talk to the council and hope they could see the person interested in the position.”  Crystal Dingler’s speech was already posted on the northcoastnews.com. (She’s the one who was selected.) Here are the speeches emailed from Cathie Parker and John Schroeder:

Excerpts from council replacement candidate speeches and answers to council questions (in the order they went, Monday night):

Cathie Parker described herself as a business owner (North Beach Mini Mart) and seven-year resident. “I’m an Ocean Shores Pirate, I talk to the community a lot.”
Dick Skewis said to her: “I don’t know if you’re aware but 78 percent of our general budget goes to salaries. Are our employees overpaid?
“I believe a lot of them are,” Parker answered.

Nine Ocean Shores residents have applied to replace Peggy Berry, who recently resigned from the City Council. (Now eight, after one dropped out.) The North Coast News invited the applicants, who will give oral presentations to council on Monday, to summarize who they are, and why they want the job.
Daniel Overton responded on Tuesday, too late for the newspaper edition; his reply is below. Bruce Leven did not reply. Here are the responses:

Email from a councilor, yesterday: “there will be a town hall meeting on March 20 2011 at 3PM at the Convention Center with no City staff present.  Citizens and the Council will interface on any subject for as long as necessary  to hear from all.”

I emailed back, asking: can the vote on a City Administrator be delayed, until after a Town Hall gives people a chance to ask questions/voice opinions?

His answer: “Probably not.”

It’s time for another of our popular “study sessions,” in which City Council and the Mayor of Ocean Shores ponder various topics. The public is invited to watch and listen to the governmental minds at work, but, alas, no public participation is generally permitted.

From the agenda for the City Council meeting on  Monday, Feb. 7: An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Ocean Shores, Washington, creating the position of City Administrator . . . city admin ordinance

Gallup? We don’t need no stinkin’ Gallup! Who needs a multi-million dollar agency? Let’s do our own “Gallop Poll.” Topic 1:

How is the Ocean Shores government doing? Rate the following, from 0 (lowest, duh) to 10 (highest, double-duh):

City Council (Rate individually, or as a whole, or both):

-Peggy Berry

-Gordon Broadbent

-Dave Creighton

-Bob Crumpacker

-Jackie Farra

-John Lynn

-Dick Skewis

Mayor:

-Garland French

The seemingly contradictory “special regular” meaning the usual meeting, but on a different night (Wednesday instead of Monday). Settlement with former Fire Chief Hodges highlights a busy night:

City of Ocean Shores Special Regular City Council Meeting

Press release from Ocean Shores Mayor Garland French:

It is my pleasure to announce that Mr. Steven Ensley has been selected as Finance Director. Steve and his wife Carol have been long part time residents of Ocean Shores and full time residents and registered voters for the last six years.

Steve has successfully undergone an extensive interview process with me, other staff, Mike Folkers and council members, Bob Crumpacker, Dick Skewis and Gordon Broadbent. I also discussed the selection individually with every council member.

This week’s North Coast News has an article on the work, and fees, of Art Blauvelt, the contracted city attorney for Ocean Shores. Here are a few sample invoices from a public records request, click on any of the three to see in larger size, if that’s still not big enough to read, try holding down the “control” and “+” keys simultaneously to expand (white space are “redactions” by the city clerk):