On March 13th, Maple Valley Councilmember Megan Sheridan gave notice that she was resigning her seat on Council before posting the following resignation note on her Facebook page. “Effectively immediately: I have resigned my position with Maple Valley City Council. I do not feel that I can continue to serve with a team that completely contradicts my beliefs and passions for service to this community. All the best, Megan”
The resignation came as a surprise to Councilmembers who received a short email note from Sheridan that she was resigning effective immediately. The City also received notification only hours before the Council was informed when Sheridan went to City Hall and announced her intentions in person.
It was also learned that Sheridan was already planning to move from the City, which would have immediately disqualified her to sit on the Council once she moved from the City per the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) for all cities within the State…RCW 42.12.010 (4) Every elective office shall become vacant on the happening of any of the following events: … his or her ceasing to be a legally registered voter of the district, county, city, town, or other municipal or quasi municipal corporation from which he or she shall have been elected or appointed, including where applicable the council district, commissioner district, or ward from which he or she shall have been elected or appointed…
Two days later, March 15th, the City posted a news release, “Maple Valley Seeks Applicants for City Council Vacancy – The recent resignation of Megan Sheridan from Position 5 on 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…Application materials must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 13, 2018 to the City Clerk, City Hall…”
