City council fills open position

By Christian Hill | The Olympian • Published March 18, 2009

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TUMWATER – Ed Hildreth has sat behind the dais in the Tumwater City Hall council chambers countless times during more than a decade of service as a city planning commissioner, including a stint as chairman.

But Hildreth acknowledged Tuesday evening that it was intimidating doing so for the first time as Tumwater's newest council member.

Moments earlier, the Tumwater City Council voted unanimously for Hildreth to complete the unexpired term of Karen Valenzuela, who resigned Feb. 17 after being appointed by Gov. Chris Gregoire as the new Thurston County commissioner. Mayor Ralph Osgood administered the oath of office.

Selection process

The council interviewed three candidates for the seat March 7. A fourth candidate, Tom Oliva, withdrew his name from consideration.

Council members said Hildreth was the best candidate because of his knowledge of and passion for the community, and his active involvement in it.

He has sat on several other city committees. He is a board member of Washington State Employees Credit Union and the Thurston County Fair Board, and a former lieutenant governor for the Pacific Northwest Kiwanis.

"Ed, you are what community is all about," Osgood said.

Councilman Bruce Zeller served with Hildreth on the planning commission and said at the time that he thought Hildreth was the type of person who could serve on the City Council.

But Hildreth lived in the urban growth area and was ineligible; state law requires that council members live within the city limits of the communities they represent. That changed more than a year ago as his home was annexed into the city.

"I think the council is going to gain a lot by having Ed here," Zeller said.

Hildreth's term expires at the end of the year, and he said he will run for a full four-year term. Council members are paid $7,440 a year.

Hildreth, who was appointed to the planning commission in 1993, has identified his top priorities as the town center, a balanced budget and the environment. He said the city faces challenges but expressed confidence that working as a team the city can overcome them.

"I really look forward to taking on this task," he said, sitting in a familiar chair but an unfamiliar setting.

Christian Hill covers Lacey and Thurston County for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-754-5427 or chill@theolympian.com.