La Habra City Council to fill vacancies – Orange County Register

La Habra City Council is accepting applications from qualified residents who wish to fill out the seat was vacant when Tim Shaw resigned last month.

The council on Monday, January 10, decided to appoint a new council member, rather than hold a special election in June that officials say will cost at least $240,500.

“I believe a special election would be a complete waste of money,” said Councilman Steve Simonian. “Getting an application and going through that process is something that I think is worthwhile and something that I think we should all support.”

Appointed board members will serve through December 19. Seats will be up for election in November; The winner will serve a two-year term.

To be considered, an applicant must be a resident of La Habra and registered to vote in the city.

Interested persons must submit an application, along with an essay detailing their background and qualifications and a statement of why they wish to serve on the board and why they are a candidate. Best member for this position.

The City Clerk must receive the application, available at LaHabra.gov, and essays by 6 p.m. on January 20.

Starting January 26, the panel will hold at least one special meeting to interview candidates and possibly appoint someone at that time.

The void was created in December when Shaw resigned from his council; Later that same day, he was appointed to a seat on the Orange County Board of Education.

Shaw previously served on board and school board simultaneously, but resigned from the district board in November in the face of a lawsuit from a voter alleging that the two roles could represent conflict of interest.

Because he was most recently re-elected to the city seat, Shaw was forced to give up his seat on the Board of Education.

“I very much respect his decision to step down (from the City Council),” said Councilmember Rose Espinoza. “La Habra residents are grateful for his contributions to the city over the years as an elected official.”