Chelan council unanimously appoints Boon to vacant seat

CHELAN — The Chelan City Council appointed retired police chief Dan Boon to its vacant Position 1 seat Sept. 22 after interviewing two applicants and discussing their qualifications in executive session.

Boon was sworn in during the meeting and immediately joined the council. He succeeds Terry Sanders, who resigned after moving to Manson. The appointment lasts until the results of the November 2027 municipal election are certified.

Three people initially applied for the seat. Attorney Willie Jensen withdrew after the interview was scheduled but before it took place. Jensen did not attend the meeting, leaving Boon and Chelan business owner Jim Edinger to interview.

After 15 initial minutes and then an extension of ten more minutes of executive session deliberation, Councilmember Brad Chitty moved to appoint Boon, and Councilmember Agustin Benegas seconded the motion. The council approved it unanimously by voice vote.

Boon said he has lived in Chelan since December 2020. Drawing on more than five decades of public service, he emphasized listening to residents, understanding the limits of a councilmember’s authority and weighing community priorities against available revenue.

“My top priority will be to seek out input from those who call Chelan home,” Boon said.

Councilmember Tim Hollingsworth pointed to Boon’s law enforcement and municipal government experience as the city approaches budget deliberations. “He seemed like someone who could jump right in,” Hollingsworth said.

Edinger, who also serves as a fire commissioner, said he wanted the city to reduce barriers to housing and business development. He called for ending the North Shore Trail project and returning the bridge to two traffic lanes. He also raised the question of whether serving on the council while remaining a fire commissioner would present a conflict.

After the vote, Boon thanked Edinger and city staff. He said he would rely on staff to help him get up to speed on council business.

“I’m glad I’m here,” Boon said. “I hope I don’t let the people down.”

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media