The La Habra City Council is accepting applications from qualified residents wanting to fill the seat left vacant when Tim Shaw stepped down last month.

The council on Monday, Jan. 10, decided to appoint a new council member, rather than hold a special election in June that officials said would cost at least $240,500.

“I believe a special election would be a total waste of money,” Councilman Steve Simonian said. “Taking applications and going through that process is something that I think is worthwhile and something that I think we all would support.”

The appointed council member would serve through Dec. 19. The seat will be up for election in November; the winner would serve a two-year term.

To be considered, applicants must be La Habra residents and registered to vote in the city.

Those interested must submit an application, along with an essay detailing their background and qualifications and a statement on why they want to serve on the council and why they are the best candidate for the position.

The City Clerk must receive the applications, which are available at LaHabra.gov, and essays by 6 p.m. Jan. 20.

Beginning Jan. 26, the council will hold at least one special meeting to interview applicants and could possibly appoint someone at that time.

The vacancy was created in December when Shaw resigned from his council seat; later that same day he was appointed to a seat on the Orange County Board of Education.

Shaw had previously served on the council and the school board simultaneously, but stepped down from the county board position in November when faced with a lawsuit from a constituent who argued the dual roles could represent a conflict of interest.

Because he had most recently been reelected to the city seat, Shaw was forced to give up his seat on the Board of Education.

“I highly respect his decision to resign (from the City Council),” Councilwoman Rose Espinoza said. “La Habra residents are grateful for his contributions he made to the city over the years as an elected official.”

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