PRESS RELEASE - City Council Appoints Neil Nelson to Position 2
Councilmember Nelson to participate in the Council Workshop on Monday, August 12
PORT TOWNSEND – On Monday, August 5, Port Townsend City Council appointed Port Townsend resident and Planning Commission member Neil Nelson to Council Position 2. There were four candidates interviewed for the position as part of an open, public process for appointing a new Councilmember. Nelson, who is a general contractor and business owner, will relinquish his seat on the Planning Commission in order to serve on City Council.
The Council vacancy came about in May when Councilmember Aislinn Palmer submitted her resignation. Since she would be moving out of Port Townsend, state law prohibits Councilmembers from holding office if they reside outside of the city they represent (RCW 29A.04.151). On May 20, City Council determined the appointment process, posted the application, and interviews were conducted on July 23.
Councilmember Nelson’s swearing in will be held on Monday, August 12, at the City Council Workshop. Nelson will participate in the Council Workshop and serve the remainder of the Position 2 term through November 2025. Two additional City Council seats will be up for election in November 2025, Ben Thomas, Position 1 and Libby Wennstrom, Position 5.
Nelson has served on the Planning Commission for the past three years and wrote in his application for the Council appointment: “Serving on the Planning Commission has helped me become more involved in being of service to Port Townsend. It seems to me that being a member of the City Council is the next step forward.” He continued, “I have learned during my time on the Planning Commission that each issue is always far more involved and that all related viewpoints are very worthy of consideration. I pride myself on waiting until I have all the necessary facts before weighing in on any given subject.”
Mayor David Faber welcomes Neil Nelson to the City Council: “I'm delighted to have Neil Nelson joining the Port Townsend City Council. He's been a great asset to our community serving on the Port Townsend Planning Commission. Neil brings a wealth of unique knowledge to the work of the City Council given his background in construction. I've also been impressed by Neil's caring and compassionate nature, particularly through his work helping people in recovery programs. I am confident Neil will be a great addition to the Port Townsend City Council.”
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More information about the process for filling the open City Council position can be found here: https://cityofpt.us/citycouncil
