PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles City Council member Mike French, who will join the Clallam County commission in January, will resign his city post effective Dec. 31.
French, who was elected in the general election to the District 3 seat now held by Bill Peach of Beaver, has submitted a letter of resignation, the city announced in a press release Friday.
“It’s been a great honor serving with all of you for the last five years, certainly one of the highlights of my life,” French said in his letter of resignation.
“When I first ran for City Council in May 2017, I had only a sliver of insight into how much hard work by how many devoted people went into running our city and serving its citizens,” he continued, according to the release.
“Participating in a small part of that hard work and getting to know some of those devoted people has forever changed my life, bringing me new experiences and lasting friendships,” French said.
The council is expected to discuss the process for naming a replacement at Tuesday’s City Council meeting at city hall, 321 E. Fifth St., at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
To join the meeting, visit www.cityofpa.us/Live-Virtual-Meetings or https://cityofpa.webex.com/cityofpa/onstage/g.php?MTID=ec541197122c1c8985993ba73e3c4d1a3. To listen only, call 1-844-992-4726 and enter access code 2552 422 6969.
The process, governed by RCW 42.12.070, requires the city to fill the position within 90 days of the occurrence of the vacancy, or Dec. 31.
The person appointed will serve until the results of the November 2023 general election are certified. A subsequent election for this position will be held in November 2024.
French won the District 3 seat from Peach 51.5 percent to 48.3 percent on Nov. 8. Peach has held the seat since 2014.
French was first elected to City Council Position 2 in 2017 and was later re-elected for a second term in 2021.
He is currently on the board of the Olympic Peninsula Community Clinic and is vice president of the Hamilton Elementary PTO.
“It has been a pleasure working with Council member French on the Port Angeles City Council,” Mayor Kate Dexter said in the release.
“We were elected at the same time and discovered, along with Council members Lindsey Schromen-Wawrin and Jim Moran, that the learning curve is steep.
“Mike has brought some great ideas to Council, and he is always interested in a thoughtful policy discussion. We haven’t always seen eye-to-eye and I appreciate his ability to listen to others’ perspectives and clearly articulate his ideas.
“I am looking forward to working with him as a county commissioner.”
