Pacific must fill another City Council seat

By Chris Chancellor • January 11, 2017 5:00 pm
Pacific City Councilmember Justin Newlun resigned during Monday’s City Council meeting because he said he is moving out of the City. Newlun inherited Tren Walker’s Position 7 seat on Jan. 25, 2016, when he was selected over four other candidates. CHRIS CHANCELLOR, Auburn Reporter

For the second time in a year, the same seat in the City of Pacific must be filled because a councilmember is moving out of the city.

Justin Newlun announced during Monday’s City Council meeting that he will resign.

Newlun, who inherited Tren Walker’s Position 7 seat and term, which expires Dec. 31, 2017, said his son is expected to be born in March, and his family needs more space. He began looking to rent or buy in Pacific, but Newlun said finding a house in the area that is within the family budget was difficult, which led them to expand their search to “Burien to Puyallup.”

Newlun’s final council meeting is Feb. 6. Mayor Leanne Guier, who praised Newlun’s work on the council, said she expects to fill the opening next month. The position has been posted and will close Jan. 30, according to the City’s website.

Newlun was selected to succeed Walker, who had served since 2005, on Jan. 25, 2016, over three other candidates, among them Howard Erickson, who served as Pacific mayor from 1976-84 and 2000-04.

“I feel Justin is very qualified,” Councilmember Katie Garberding said at the time. “He has done a lot for the city and the residents. He has a rapport with the community. He’s an individual thinker and does his homework.”

Newlun, who turns 34 in March, said he hopes his departure is not long term. He said eventually he would like to buy a house in Pacific.

“I’ve been here so long that this is home,” said Newlun, who succeeded his grandmother to become the City’s postmaster from 2010 to 2015 when the post office closed.

And, if that Newlun returns, running for a position on City Council would be one of “the first things I do,” because he enjoyed the experience.

Newlun, who chaired the finance board, said one of his proudest accomplishments was helping with the redesign of the City’s website, which has not been unveiled yet.

But Newlun, who does not identify as a Democrat or Republican, also liked being an independent voice on the Council.

“I can see both the liberal and conservative sides,” he said. “I can sway either way.”

Elsewhere

Councilmembers selected a council president and mayor pro tem for the upcoming year. Vic Kave, who was the council president last year, will retain that position, and Katie Garberding will serve as mayor pro tem.