A vacancy on the Elma City Council was filled on Monday, Feb. 7, after current council members interviewed three candidates for the position.

After deliberation, the council chose to appoint Bethany Whipple-Boling, an Elma resident of 14 years and former member of the Elma School District Board of Directors. She will serve in Position 2, which became vacant following the death of Jim Taylor on Jan. 2.

Taylor served on the council for more than a decade, and won reelection in November 2021, but passed away before being able to serve his new term. He was 76.

“It’s an honor to have been appointed to this position and I am really looking forward to working alongside the other councilmen to continue moving Elma forward in a positive direction,” said Whipple-Boling. “Jim Taylor was an outstanding citizen who served this community faithfully for many years. I hope to fill this position with as much dedication as he did.”

Whipple-Boling previously served as Elma School District 68 Director District 4, and as a high school cheerleading coach. She will be the only woman serving on the city council. When the position opened up, she wanted to take the opportunity to set an example for her young daughter.

“​It’s like Ruth Bader Ginsburg said ‘Women belong in all places where decisions are being made’,” she said.

“I think it’s important to have diversity in government, be it gender representation or otherwise. I hope that I can bring fresh ideas and new perspectives to the issues our community is facing.”

Residents Jacob Borden and Ron Woodman also ran for the open position. Elma Mayor Jim Sorensen found the high candidacy turnout to be abnormal, but “great.”

“She brings a lot of experience with her time on the school board and other agencies she’s worked for,” he said. “I’m happy to see a little more diversity and some more youth on the council as well.”

Promoting and managing growth were among the top priorities identified by all three candidates during the interview process. After a presentation by U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (D-Gig Harbor) on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), all eyes were on grant funding avenues that the city could pursue to alleviate various infrastructure issues and ensure equitable growth.

“New businesses are coming and new homes are being built around every corner. I think whether or not our infrastructure can handle that growth is one major issue we will have to tackle in the very near future,” said Whipple-Boling. “I’m hoping to aide the Council and Mayor in finding solutions that are financially responsible and will be able to support Elma’s growth in the long term.”

Whipple-Boling will serve until the end of Taylor’s two-year term, after which she will be free to run for the city council independently.