5 Kirkland Residents Vying To Fill Amy Walen's Council Seat

KIRKLAND, WA - Five Kirkland residents have been picked as finalists to interview for a vacant seat on City Council. Former mayor Amy Walen left a seat vacant after she was elected to the state House in November.

The five candidates will be interviewed by the Council at a special meeting on Feb. 19. A total of 27 people applied for Walen's slot.

Here's background on each candidate from the city of Kirkland:

Neal Black: Neal Black has been a resident of Kirkland for over 20 years. He currently resides in the Central Houghton Neighborhood with his wife and two teenagers. Black currently serves as a member of the Houghton Community Council, to which he was elected in 2017.

Uzma Butte: Uzma Butte has been a Kirkland resident for eight years. Butte currently serves on the Kirkland Park Board and is an active member of the Kirkland Rotary, the Kirkland Chamber, KirklandSafe, and the Eastside Race and Leadership Coalition. (Note: Butte ran for Kirkland City Council in 2017.)

Kelli Curtis: Kelli Curtis has been a Kirkland resident for over 25 years. Curtis serves on the Houghton Community Council and the City of Kirkland Park Board. Additionally, Curtis volunteers with Kirkland Talks.

Amy Falcone: Amy Falcone has been a resident of Kirkland for the past five years. Falcone currently serves on the Human Services Commission, is a Finn Hill Neighborhood Alliance Board Member, and a local PTSA President.

Sue Keller: Sue Keller has lived in Kirkland for over 21 years. In the past, Keller served on the Park Board. She has also been involved with Kirkland Conversations, Eastside Timebank, Nourishing Networks, and on the PTSA Board at Peter Kirk and Kirkland Juanita High School.

Image courtesy city of Kirkland