3 seek county clerk position

The Island County commissioners have set a special session Dec. 2 to interview and choose among three candidates to replace Clerk Sharon Franzen, who is resigning next month.

Since Franzen is a Democrat, the Island County Democratic Party nominated three candidates for the commissioners to choose among. They are Debra Van Pelt, Patricia Terry and Linda Moore.

Franzen endorsed Van Pelt, a deputy clerk in her office. Terry is a Camano Island resident and a nurse who unsuccessfully ran against state Rep. Barbara Bailey last year. Moore is a South Whidbey attorney and the co-founder of Goosefoot Community Fund.

The special session will be at 6 p.m., Wednesday. Dec. 2, at the commissioners hearing room in Coupeville. After the interviews, the commissioners will probably go into executive session to discuss the qualifications of the candidates. They must return to the public session to vote on the appointment.

Franzen announced in October that she would retire, effective Dec. 15, in order to spend more time with family members.

The clerk may not be a high-profile position, but the office is vital to the functioning of Superior Court. The office is responsible for receiving and maintaining all court records for the court. The clerk is also the financial officer for the court, which means she’s in charge of sending out restitution to victims and collecting fines.

Contact Whidbey News Times Assistant editor Jessie Stensland at jstensland@whidbeynewsgroup.com or 360.675.6611 ext. 5056.

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