Vacancy appointment process now open
Ridgefield City Council Member Rob Aichele resigned Position 5 on the City Council effective Feb. 9, 2024. Aichele will continue to be active in the Ridgefield Community.
Aichele moved to Ridgefield in 2015 and quickly became an active member of the Ridgefield Lions Club. In 2019, he was appointed to the city’s Planning Commission. In November 2019 he was elected to City Council, and re-elected in November 2023. During his time on the council, Aichele’s focus was on helping enhance public safety as a councilor and Neighbors on Watch volunteer, expanding trail and sidewalk connectivity, and keeping downtown vibrant.
State law provides that City Council shall appoint a qualified person to fill the vacant position within 90 days. The term for Position 5 will expire in 2027, however, the appointee will have to stand for election in November 2025 to retain the seat through 2027.
The timeline for filling the Council vacancy is as follows:
• Friday, March 8, 2024: Applications due to City Clerk by Noon.
• March 8 – March 15, 2024: Council will review applications to determine candidates who will move forward in the process.
• February 16 – March 27, 2024: Residents may submit questions online at RidgefieldRoundtable.org to be considered for use during the public forum or the City Council interview.
• Thursday, March 21, 2024: Residents are invited to attend a public forum where Council candidates will answer questions submitted online.
• Thursday, March 28, 2024: At its regularly scheduled meeting, City Council will interview candidates and appoint a new Councilmember.
The new council member will be sworn in and attend the regularly scheduled council meeting. Additional information about the process and how to apply can be found on the city website: https://ridgefieldwa.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=71
Information provided by the city of Ridgefield.
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