Two city councilors, a pastor and a former mayor walk into Camas City Hall — sounds like the set-up for a punchline, but it will be reality on Nov. 14, when the four interview for a one-year vacancy in Camas’ mayoral office.
Applications closed Oct. 26 for the opening left by former Camas Mayor Scott Higgins’ early resignation. This interim period is an appointment, not an election, which means city councilors will make the decision via vote.
Options include two sitting city councilors, Shannon Turk and Melissa Smith, and two citizens who currently hold no public office — former Camas mayor Dean Dossett and pastor Geoerl Niles, founder of The Calling Church in Vancouver.
“Tell you what, I think we’ve got a great pool,” Camas City Administrator Pete Capell said. “I think council will be able to get a good mayor moving forward.”
Don’t call it a comeback
The word “comeback” hadn’t really crossed Dossett’s mind during the application process. The former Camas mayor just saw the opening and decided he had something to offer.