The deadline for a temporary position on the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly is 4:30 p.m. today, and only one person has applied as of late Monday.
The District 1 seat was left vacant by Mayor Mary Becker when she took over for Greg Fisk after his sudden death in November. The Assembly voted in December to hold a special mayoral election in March, at which point Becker could return to ride out her term that ends in October.
However, if Becker runs for mayor she will relinquish her District 1 seat to the temporary Assembly member, even if she loses the election. Becker has not announced plans to run for mayor and the clerks office will not accept candidacy declarations for the post until Jan. 15.
The first application for the vacant seat was not submitted until Monday, according to CBJ deputy clerk Beth McEwen.
During a special Assembly meeting Monday night, Ordinance 2015-54 was introduced to allow for the filling of the vacant seat. On Jan. 11, the Assembly will come together again in a special meeting to interview District 1 Assembly candidates. On Jan. 12, a special Assembly meeting will include a public hearing regarding Ordinance 2015-54.
CBJ attorney Amy Mead said city code allows the Assembly members to assign a new member to fill a vacant spot through the current application process, through a special appointment or the members may elect to leave the seat vacant until October.
Sheinberg Associates owner Barbara Sheinberg is the only District 1 Assembly seat applicant at this point. Sheinberg has run a community and strategic planning consulting business in Juneau for the past 26 years, has served on the CBJ Planning Commission and currently serves on the CBJ Board of Equalization.
Because the seat needs to be filled immediately and would not allow for much of a learning curve, Sheinberg said her experience in the community makes her a good fit for a role she has considered taking on for some time.
“I have experience and knowledge in me to do that and thus help the Assembly and community during this transition,” Sheinberg said. “I’ve thought off and on about being on Assembly over the years and this seems like this would be a good time.”
To submit candidacy for the District 1 Assembly seat, submit a Declaration of Candidacy form found at juneau.org, a letter of interest and a resume to the Municipal Clerk’s Office.
An applicant must be a qualified voter of the municipality and a resident for at least one year. For the District 1 seat, applicants must reside in the following precincts: Douglas (33-500), Juneau #1 (33-510), Juneau #2 (33-515), Juneau #3 (33-520), Lemon Creek (33-525), North Douglas (33-530), and Juneau Airport (34-410).
• Contact reporter Paula Ann Solis at 523-2272 or at paula.solis@juneauempire.com.
