Erica Wasinger was sworn in Tuesday night as the newest member of the Oak Harbor City Council.

The council members publicly interviewed her and the other candidate, Skip Pohtilla, before going behind closed door to discuss both candidates’ answers and qualifications.

The council returned to an open session and quickly voted, 4-to-2, to appoint Wasinger to the seat.

A third candidate, Jes Walker-Wyse, asked to be removed from consideration prior to the meeting.

Wasinger takes over the seat that Bob Severns left after taking over as the city’s mayor at the beginning of the year.

Wasinger was campaign manager for Severns’ successful run for mayor last year.

During the interviews Tuesday, the council members asked the candidates seven predetermined questions that ranged from their approach to fiscal challenges to their ability to attend all the meetings and workshops.

One candidate was questioned at a time; the other was sequestered to a backroom.

In discussing her background and experience, Wasinger explained that her family moved to the city in 2008 and she’s taken many opportunities to serve the community.

She is also on the Oak Harbor Park Board, Oak Harbor Educational Foundation Board and Little League Board. She is a consistent volunteer for the school district and co-chaired the successful Citizens For Better Schools levy campaign.

“Through these organizations and through these experiences I felt like I developed and showed strong leadership, communication and fair decision-making skills,” she said.

“But what’s most important to me is that the hard work and the actions that I took serving these organizations had a direct impact on our community in a positive way,” Wasinger said.

As for her top concerns, she cited the need to improve the city’s relationship with businesses in Oak Harbor and economic development, as well as the the completion of sewage treatment plant and plans for Windjammer Park.

“I’ve heard many elected officials say that Windjammer Park is the gem of our city and I truly believe that,” she said.

During his interview, Pohtilla discussed his broad background and impressive resume.

During his career in the Navy, Pohtilla said he negotiated an international agreement with the Greeks and the Turks and managed a 500-person camp for Vietnamese boat people.

He also worked in the travel industry and in property management.

When asked about his top concerns for the city, he cited the building of the sewage treatment plant “on time and under budget, if possible.”

Also, he said maintaining the city’s infrastructure and support police and fire are at the top of his list.

Councilmembers Rick Almberg, Danny Paggao, Beth Munns and Joel Servatius voted to appoint Wasinger.

Councilwoman Tara Hizon and Councilman Jim Campbell voted in favor of Pohtilla.

After the vote, Wasinger was sworn in and official became a member of the Oak Harbor City Council. She will complete the two years left of the term; she said she plans to run for election at the end of the term.