SEQUIM — Sequim City Council member Jennifer States’ last day on the council will be Tuesday, she said this week.
States was appointed to a vacant council position Jan. 8, 2018, and voters elected her to a new term in November.
States has been promoted at her position with DNV GL, an international technical classification and technical advisory company, and will move to the Seattle area, “making it impossible to perform her duties as a city council member,” according to a press release from the city of Sequim.
The Sequim City Council will appoint replacement. Applicants must be registered voters, must have lived for one year continuously in Sequim and hold no other public office or employment under the city government.
Interviews for the vacant position will be conducted by the Sequim City Council at a regularly scheduled or a special meeting.
States, the only woman serving on the Sequim City Council, said she would like to see another woman interested in the position.
“It is my hope that another highly capable woman will step up and be appointed to this position,” States said in the press release.
“Your perspective and service are needed at this time, and I encourage anyone who is thinking about applying to do so. I will offer to continue to serve as a mentor, if desired, for anyone who steps up.”
States said collaboration was key to accomplishments achieved during her time on the Sequim City Council.
“I am driven by my passion to create a sustainable future from an economic and environmental perspective through collaboration,” she wrote in her notice of resignation.
“In my time serving in this position, I can point to many instances where we were able to collaborate as a council and community,” she said.
”For example, the partnership with Clallam [County] PUD to build a solar array and electric vehicle chargers in Sequim. The rooftop solar project that will be built on the [Sequim] Civic Center with the support of Washington State Department of Commerce grant funding. And the many times the council was able to move difficult issues forward working together with the dedication and support of our excellent team of professional staff.”
Sequim City Manager Charlie Bush said States’ thoughtful and balanced approach was an asset to decision-making on the council and will be hard to replace.
“I have really enjoyed working with Jennifer over the past two years,” Bush said in the press release.
“We are all very appreciative of her service to the city and the entire Sequim-Dungeness Valley community. We wish her all the best.”
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