The search for an executive director of the Jefferson County Economic Development Council begins again today after the Wisconsin man who accepted the job backed out.

Vic Grassman told EDC President Lloyd Cahoon in an e-mail sent Wednesday that he is unable to take the job because his 87-year-old mother has health problems.

The council meets at noon today at the Port Townsend Yacht Club, and the pullout will be discussed.

“At this time it would be irresponsible of me to locate so far away from her when she needs my help,” Grassman said in his e-mail to Cahoon.

Grassman, manager of business and outreach at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in Delafield, Wis., was named in early May, edging Michael Brennan for the position.

Brennan is the former director of the Bellingham/Whatcom County Chamber of Commerce.

“That’s life,” Cahoon said of the pullout.

Cahoon thinks Grassman’s mother’s health problems might be something new.

“We talked about it last month and she was in pretty good shape,” Cahoon said Thursday afternoon.

Course of action

Cahoon expects the EDC’s selection and executive committees to meet sometime next week to determine a course of action.

Cahoon said he wasn’t sure if the joint group will offer the position to Brennan or conduct a new search for candidates.