PORT TOWNSEND — The East Jefferson Fire-Rescue commissioners will wait until after funeral services for Jess L. Bondurant Jr. are over before selecting his replacement on the district’s board.
The decision to delay the process was made at a board meeting Tuesday night.
“My feeling is that we should advertise the position for an entire month but wait until after Commissioner Bondurant’s services,” said Commissioner Rich Stapf, chairman.
While there was no vote, Stapf received unanimous support for waiting.
Longtime District Commissioner Bondurant died Sept. 6 of complications after heart surgery. He was 70.
His memorial service will take place at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at the fire district’s Chimacum station at 9193 Rhody Drive.
Bondurant was running unopposed on the November ballot for a fourth six-year term.
Ballots were sent to the printer prior to Bonderant’s death, so his name will appear, but no votes will be counted, and write-ins will not be tallied, Jefferson County Auditor Donna Eldridge said.
The position will be advertised during the first week of October and discussed at the next regular board meeting Oct. 18.
Interviews will be conducted between that meeting and the Nov. 19 meeting, when the board expects to appoint a new member.
That new member would be expected to stand for election in November 2013, when voters will decide who serves the remainder of the six-year term, which expires in 2017.
No previous fire experience is required. Commissioner candidates must live within the fire district.
Fire District No. 1 covers the eastern part of Jefferson County, providing service for the unincorporated Jefferson County communities of Cape George, Chimacum, Irondale, Kala Point, Marrowstone Island and Port Hadlock, as well as providing services to the city of Port Townsend through an interlocal agreement.
Commissioners are paid $104 for each day they attend to department business, up to an annual maximum of $9,984.
Bondurant was first elected Jefferson County Fire District No. 1 Commissioner in November 1991.
He was re-elected for additional terms in 1997, 2003 and 2009.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
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