On Wednesday, Frebruary 28 Pola Kelley was chosen to fill the vacant spot of Julia Johnson in the ward four city council seat.

   After Sedro-Woolley mayor, Keith Wagoner, was appointed to a seat in the State Senate, Julia Johnson, former city council member, took his place, and a new city council person was needed.

    There were people other than Pola Kelley that vied to take the place of Johnson including Stacy Penno, Ken Van Liew, and Krissa Woiwod. February 7, the Sedro-Woolley City Council accepted all four people following their individual applications to the fourth ward.

  Kelley was chosen Wednesday evening after each candidate was reviewed by the city council based on experience and capability.

   “I have a bachelors degree from Gonzaga University in Political Science and Speech Communications. Through the Chamber of Commerce, I have developed relationships with city, schools, county, port, state and Federal Government representatives,” Pola Kelley tells.

  “I worked with the other chamber directors in the county. It is my pleasure to serve on the board of the Cascade Loop Association, and the Community Board for PeaceHealth United General Hospital.”

  Pola Kelley had shown previous interest in a seat on city council recently as she battled for the at-large position last year, but lost to Jared Couch. Kelley is the Executive Director of the Sedro-Woolley Chamber of Commerce and has previous experience with local communities as well as working with the government.

  There are eight members of the city council: six ward seats, the mayor, and the at-large position. The city is divided up into six parts, called wards. Each seat on the city council focuses on their Ward, and the problems or projects that are taking place in that area.

  “As an example, if one part of Sedro-Woolley suffers from flooding and another part stays dry, when financial assistance comes in from Federal, state, county, and other local authorities, the council will have a say in where it goes,” says Karl de Jong, city-councilman of Ward Six.

   “The councilmember of the ward most affected by the flooding will advocate for as much relief as possible. Other council members may see their situation and agree; or, advocate to use the financial assistance for another project specific to their ward.”

  City council’s job is to deal with the finance, events, and construction of the town.

  “The city council generally acts as the legislative branch of the city government, as well as the policy making body,” de Jong says.

  “The most important goals for the city in my opinion are completion of the new library; encouraging further new business as we see the resurgence of building and remodeling reshaping our community and its unique character,”Said Kelley. Kelley is looking forward to improving Sedro-Woolley in her city council seat.