The requirements for the open seat on the Mercer Island City Council are simple and few. An applicant must be an Island resident for one year and be a registered voter.

Seventeen very different people have answered the call.

They are Robert Bersos, Mary A. Yakmoto, Carrie Wernick Newman, David Laub, Tana Senn, Deborah L. Bertlin, Aric Weiker, Steven C. Marshall, Jane Meyer Brahm, Patricia M. “Patti” Darling, Aaron Kornblum, Rachel Reynolds, Adam Cooper, David Wells, Jon Friedman, Craig A. Pedersen and Clark Powell.

From a social worker to a Microsoft attorney to a school bus driver, the people who applied for the vacant seat on the Council all share a passion for their city. Each candidate was required to supply a resume and answer four general questions about their qualifications and goals for the position. Their written applications reveal what these citizens consider priorities at least in the near term for the city and a hint of their understanding or misunderstandings of the Council and how and what it governs.

As anyone would expect, the group as a whole is very educated and experienced. All but one of the candidates have one or more college degrees. A dozen hold at least one advanced degree as well. The list ranges from degrees in physics, pharmacy and political science. A dozen of the candidates have graduate degrees, including five who hold a Ph.D. or a JD. There is also a RN, a CPA, a MSW and a couple of MBAs. The degrees were earned across the nation from Princeton and Harvard and Columbia Universities to colleges in California, Iowa and Seattle.

Working backgrounds range from careers in emergency medicine to energy to software to communications and marketing to construction.

More than half of the candidates are people who have lived on Mercer Island for decades. Three or four could be classified as newcomers — living on the Island five years or less. There are five Mercer Island High School graduates of classes ranging from 1968 to 1985. Three applicants ran for the City Council within the last few years. Four have been either on the City’s Planning and/or Utility Commissions and two have been involved in planning and/or providing emergency services. Several mentioned their involvement with the Island nonprofits and community institutions such as the JCC, Youth and Family Services, the Boy & Girls Club, youth-oriented or school activities and parks and open space.

The candidates represent all parts of the Island. There are three from the South end, three from the east side, two from the Island’s center and seven from the north and northwest corner of the Island.

The applicants were asked to give their input as to the top three priorities that should be addressed by the Council in the near term.

A dozen of the applicants listed transportation issues as a priority, most listing the topic first. Next, nine candidates indicated that implementing and managing the changes imposed by the city budget as priority.

One candidate stated that the city needs to ensure that it is getting “value” from what it pays for city services.

Five candidates put forth a focus on safety and emergency services and planning as important. Three included education and/or working more closely with the school district as important. Other candidates had other ideas that included: attending to additional sewer repairs, preserving the long-term capital budget for future projects and attention to the growing number of seniors needing services here.

A handful of others mentioned diversity and encouraging sustainability not only as a priority but throughout their application. However, focusing on the need to ensure the success of the Island’s business community was barely mentioned. It was puzzling to find education mentioned as a priority for city government. One applicant said sustainability practices need to take into consideration any adverse effects on business.

As a whole the candidates care about and wish to preserve the Island’s feeling of safety and family-friendly orientation. Some said they just want to “be involved.” Another said the city needs to accommodate cyclist and pedestrians on city streets to “make roadways safer for shared use scenarios.”

Others revealed they thought the term on the Council would be good for them personally and professionally as well. One candidate stated that he had considered running for the legislature and thought the Council position would be a “logical step.”

A handful of candidates had particular skills and experience that could help guide the city in certain areas. A pharmacist-educator along with a licensed social worker could help the Council vet programs considered by Youth and Family Services. An attorney with skills in energy planning could contribute to discussions about rates and services with utilities. A businessman who serves on the Puget Sound Regional Council and other regional interests could offer perspective about regional issues — in particular, about transportation and growth. A candidate with building or planning commission experience could help fine-tune those areas.

Finally, three indicated they were interested in improving the city and Council’s communications with citizens. One mentioned that perhaps a survey could be conducted with this newspaper.

A check of circulation records shows that seven of the 17 candidates do not subscribe to the Mercer Island Reporter.

Interviews

The Council will interview candidates at a special meeting set for Thursday, Jan. 13, beginning at 6 p.m. The Council will vote and the swearing in of the new Councilmember will take place at its regular meeting on Monday, Jan. 18. Both meetings are open to the public.