The King County Council announced a panel of 12 community leaders Monday who will evaluate candidates for appointment to the seat that will become vacant when Council Chair Dow Constantine is sworn in as King County Executive next week.

District 8, which Constantine represented, includes all of Vashon Island.

“The Council is acting quickly to ensure representation for the nearly 200,000 residents of District 8,” said Council Vice Chair Bob Ferguson, prime sponsor of the ordinance to replace Constantine on the council. “Timely appointment will also allow the new councilmember to transition into the position, hire staff and hit the ground running in the new year.”

Among those named to the panel are Tom Dean, executive director of the Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust; Steve Daschle, executive director of Southwest Youth and Family Services, and Aileen Balahadia, executive director of the White Center Community Development Association.

Under the legislation, applicants for the vacancy must submit application materials to the Clerk of the Council by Nov. 23. The advisory committee will meet by Dec. 3 to interview qualified applicants and recommend three to six candidates for consideration by the county council.

The King County Council has final authority for making the appointment, and under the legislation will take action by Dec. 14. The appointee would serve in office until certification of the next general election in November 2010.

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