City releases list of 30 applicants aiming to fill Breean Beggs' council seat

Jan. 4--More than 30 people applied to fill the Spokane City Council District 2 seat vacated when Breean Beggs moved to the council president's position.

Those vying for the seat include recent political candidates, government officials, blue-collar workers and grassroots activists.

From recent elections, Spokane residents might remember the names of Phil Tyler, former Spokane NAACP President and 2019 council president candidate; Robbi Katherine Anthony, 2018 Spokane County commissioner candidate; Tony Kiepe, 2019 City Council District 2 candidate; and Katey Treloar, 2019 Spokane Public Schools board candidate. The list also includes Auntie's Bookstore owner John Waite and former Community-Minded Enterprises executive director Kathleen Thamm.

Current Spokane City Council members will narrow down the list to several finalists by Friday, according to Beggs. The council's interviews with the applicants the morning of Jan. 13 are open to the public. The council will likely vote on a finalist at the council meeting held that evening.

The full list of applicants is:

* Robbi Katherine Anthony: Tech entrepeneur and 2018 Spokane County commissioner candidate.

* Christine Carlile: Retired Spokane County public defender who now organizes assistance and services for people struggling to pay legal financial obligations.

* Chris Carlisle: Attorney providing representation in worker's compensation, long-term disability and estate planning cases. Also volunteers with the Spokane Housing Justice Project representing people who are being evicted.

* Alan Chatham: Artist and founder of Laboratory, an artist residency program that supports a gallery of interactive art installations.

* Tony Dinaro: Spokane County public records officer and former city public records specialist.

* Dennis Gillette: Longtime Thousand Oaks, California, City Council member who served as mayor for three terms.

* Sarah Griffith: Instructor at the Washington State University College of Nursing. Worked as a nurse for 14 years in Spokane Public Schools.

* Pia Hallenberg: Former Spokesman-Review reporter and Spokane Humane Society development director.

* Shauna Harshman: Spokane Regional Transportation Council planner and former assistant Spokane city planner.

* Tyler Henthorne: A Bay Area transplant who had a career related to aviation.

* John "Andy" Hoye Jr.: Commercial real estate appraiser who is involved in the Spokane Neighborhood Community Assembly and Southgate Neighborhood Council.

* Tony Kiepe: 2019 Spokane City Council candidate for District 2. Also ran and applied for council seats in 2016 and 2017.

* Beth LaBar: Former city of Spokane Urban Forestry Tree Committee member.

* Ryann Louie: Founder of Reimagine Spokane, a grassroots community development organization and a former real estate broker at Windermere Real Estate's Manito office.

* Randy McGlenn II: 2016 Libertarian state house candidate for the 3rd Legislative District.

* Patrick McKann: Worked at CHAS Health in business analysis and research for four years. Formerly vice president of population health.

* Andrew Mills: Works at LifeNet Health, a medical implant and transplant company as a national tissue recovery operations supervisor. Heavily involved at Redemption Church Spokane.

* Robert Myron: A lawyer since 1965 who also works as real estate broker and realtor.

* Matthew Norman: A project management professional and insurance agent who has worked with multiple government agencies.

* Matthew Patching: An electrician.

* Randy Ramos: 2015 Spokane City Council candidate for District No. 1.

* Thomas Sanderson: Owner of South Hill Plumbing. Working to earn his MBA at Eastern Washington University in preparation for becoming a public servant.

* Kristine Schuler: A frequent Spokane City Council meeting attendee who has advocated for housing and the Spokane Public Library to carry Spokane Public Schools textbooks.

* Ashley Strine: Enrollment and outreach coordinator at Windsong School, a private, alternative school in Spokane.

* Kathleen Thamm: Former executive director of Community-Minded Enterprises.

* Katey Treloar: 2019 Spokane Public Schools board candidate and former teacher.

* Phil Tyler: Former Spokane NAACP President and 2019 city council president candidate. Applied for a vacant District 2 city council position in 2016, which was ultimately given to Beggs. Denied multiple domestic violence allegations brought forth by three of his ex-wives in an Inlander article.

* Son Hoang Vu: Project and financial planning manager who works at RLG International.

* John Waite: Auntie's Bookstore owner since 2016.

* Randy Watts: Spokane County sheriff's detective.

* Michelle Weaver: Consultant at Opt2Inspire LLC. Chief operating officer from 2014 to spring 2019 of Embassy Management, a Spokane-based company that owned Aacres supported-living facilities. Three Aacres facilities in Spokane were decertified by the state in October.

* Betsy Wilkerson: Carl Maxey Center board president and community activist who owns Moore's Assisted Living.

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