Thurston PUD down another commissioner

Alan Corwin, dean of the Thurston Public Utility District commission, has resigned from the board, the second commissioner to leave the commission in 2012.

Corwin, who had four years left on his second term, submitted his handwritten resignation to Thurston PUD general manager John Weidenfeller on Thursday, effective Monday. The commissioners serve six-year terms.

Corwin could not be reached Monday. The Thurston PUD is a water utility.

Corwin’s absence means someone will have to be appointed to fill the District No. 2 seat. The other commissioners are Chris Stearns and Linda Oosterman. Oosterman was recently elected to fill the District 1 seat left vacant by Paul Pickett, who also resigned last year. After he left, the remaining commissioners appointed economist Jim Lazar, who chose not to run for the seat. Lazar’s last day was Nov. 27, Weidenfeller said.

Weidenfeller said Monday that he will recommend to the commission the following process to appoint a new commissioner:

Jan. 8: Determine at a public meeting how the commission wants to proceed.

Jan. 11: Make applications available.

Jan. 23: Applications due before the close of business. Applicants must be registered voters and live in District 2, which includes Lacey, Rainier and Yelm.

Jan. 29: Commission decides whom they want to interview.

Feb. 12: Candidates interviewed, followed by a decision after the commission emerges from executive session.

Feb. 26: Swearing-in ceremony for the new commissioner.

That commissioner would then decide whether to run in 2014.

Weidenfeller added that Corwin gave no reason for his resignation.