Eight people have applied to fill the Port of Grays Harbor Commission District 1 seat that will be vacant when commissioner Chuck Caldwell retires effective July 31.

Port spokeswoman Kayla Dunlap said the candidates who applied for the position are Bob Bellamy, David Dagnen, Aaron Dierks, Randy Dutton, Peter McMillin, Jeff Meeks, Phil Papac and Jim Sorensen.

A special commission meeting is slated for 5:30 p.m. Thursday to review the candidates. The interviews will be open to the public, though no decision will be made after the executive session that follows, whch is not open to the public. All eight who applied for the vacancy will be considered.

The commission will reconvene Tuesday, June 19, at 9 a.m. to discuss the qualifications of each candidate. After the discussion, which is again open to the public, the commission will vote to determine the candidate to be appointed. The appointment will last until the next regular Port election in November of 2019. If the selected candidate wishes to remain in office he will need to stand for election in 2019 for a shot at a 6-year term.