Friday is the deadline for anyone interested in filling the vacancy on the Maple Valley City Council.

The city is accepting applications until 5 p.m. Friday. Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter and complete a certificate of residency and voter registration.

The vacancy on the seven member council was created when Laure Iddings resigned Jan. 1.

The following is a press release from the city, which is also posted on its Web site.

The recent resignation of Laure Iddings from the Maple Valley City Council creates a vacancy on the seven-person council. To fill the vacancy, the City Council is soliciting applications from individuals who would be interested in being appointed to fill the vacant seat.

When a vacancy occurs on a City Council, state law provides that it can be filled by appointment of the council. The chosen appointee then serves until the expiration of that seat’s term. In this case, the term of the vacant seat lasts until Dec. 31, 2011. The chosen appointee would be eligible to stand for election in November 2011.

The Maple Valley City Council is a non-partisan, part-time legislative body. Maple Valley incorporated in 1997 under a council/manager form of government. Council meetings are held at 7 p.m. the first four Mondays of each month, with some exceptions. There are often other meetings to attend during the week as well.

By state law, the chosen candidate must be a citizen of the United States, a registered Washington state voter, and have resided within the corporate limits of the city of Maple Valley for at least one year. The appointee also must be at least 18 years of age.

The appointed councilor would have the same level of duty and privilege as all other councilors. Maple Valley city councilors are compensated $550 per month during the length of their service.

To be considered, applicants are asked to submit a resume and a cover letter detailing the applicant’s previous and current involvement in the Maple Valley community, naming three or four priorities you see for the community, and explaining your view of the role of a city councilor in this community. Evidence of previous involvement in the Maple Valley community will be a key evaluation criterion for the City Council.

Application materials must be submitted by 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, 2010 to the City Clerk, City Hall, Post Office Box 320, Maple Valley, 98038. Applicants also will be required to complete a certification of residency and voter registration before an application will be forwarded to the City Council.

The entire City Council will review all applications. Each qualifying applicant will be interviewed in public session by the full council in early February. An appointment will be made shortly thereafter. The selected appointee probably will begin his or her term in mid-February.

For further information, please call City Clerk Irvalene Moni, 425-413-8800.