A panel of 12 community leaders was recently named by the Metropolitan King County Council to evaluate candidates for appointment to the council seat that will become vacant when Council Chair Dow Constantine is sworn in next week as King County Executive.

“The Council is acting quickly to ensure representation for the nearly 200,000 residents of District 8,” said Council Vice Chair Bob Ferguson, prime sponsor of the ordinance. “Timely appointment will also allow the new council member to transition into the position, hire staff and hit the ground running in the new year.”

The motion adopted names a 12-member advisory committee of community leaders and elected officials who live or work in Council District 8, and who represent the geographic, economic, and ethnic diversity of the district. Under the legislation, applicants for the impending council vacancy had to submit application materials to the clerk of the council by Nov. 23.

The advisory committee will meet no later than Dec. 3 to interview qualified applicants and recommend three to six candidates for consideration by the council. The committee’s recommendations will include at least one candidate who intends to run for election as council member in 2010, and one who does not. The King County Council has final authority for making the appointment, and under the legislation will take action by Dec. 14. The appointee would serve in office until certification of the next general election in November 2010.

Council District 8 encompasses West Seattle, North Highline, Vashon/Maury Islands, Burien, Normandy Park, SoDo, the International District/Chinatown, Pioneer Square, East Beacon Hill, and portions of the cities of SeaTac and Tukwila.