Green seeking appointment back to City Council

Former Winlock City Council Member Denise Green has asked to be given her old position back after resigning abruptly on Feb. 11.

Mayor Lonnie J. Dowell told the city council Monday night Green had been among four applicants seeking to fill the vacated position, with the other three being former mayor Don Bradshaw, former mayor Glen Cook, and resident Sarah Gifford.

Dowell said he had confirmed with the Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington that Green would be allowed to apply, and said the council also had the option to simply restore Green to her position without interviewing the other three applicants. But council members instead voted to hold interviews on March 10 when they are expected also to approve an appointment.

Dowell said Green’s resignation had been a direct result of the recent controversy regarding a city revitalization committee in which community members, including Dowell himself, had been arbitrarily barred from participating in a Facebook page set up by Committee Chair Connie Sneed.

Frustrated residents had complained about the incident during the Feb. 10 meeting and, at that time, Green, a member of the committee, explained personal criticisms directed at herself and Sneed were being posted, and those responsible were being blocked. These comments, however, were refuted by residents who said they could prove they had not posted anything inappropriate and were simply blocked because of Sneed's and Green’s personal dislikes.

During Monday’s meeting, Dowell stated it was his desire to dissolve the committee entirely due to the “backlash” created by the incident, and the council voted unanimously to do so.

City Hall has additionally stated those who still wish to apply for the vacated position may still do so up until the March 10 meeting, which is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall.

When seeking to learn her reasons for leaving as well as her intentions as an applicant, Green has not responded to requests for comment.