LYNDEN ­— Former Poulsbo planning director Barry Berezowsky is one of three finalists for the position of planning director of Lynden.

The Lynden Tribune reported on Sept. 14 that “12 candidates applied, five were interviewed by Skype and three are now finalists”: Berezowsky; John Coleman, planning director of Sedro-Woolley; and Heidi Solano, operations manager for The RJ Group, a development firm.

“These are all very strong candidates,” City Administrator Mike Martin wrote in an email to the Tribune. “Each of them brings distinctive strengths and we are fortunate to have them.”

According to the Tribune, the three candidates will be in Lynden on Sept. 21 for a tour of the city and a public meet-and-greet event; each candidate will be given 10 minutes to speak. On Sept. 22, each candidate will participate in two interview panels, then will meet with the Mayor Scott Korthuis and city administrator. “The mayor will make a final selection soon after the process ends,” the Tribune reported.

The new planning director will succeed Amy Harksell, a 24-year employee of the department, who resigned on June 10. “She and two other former city female employees have started a lawsuit claiming gender and age discrimination and a hostile work environment since Martin came on board in 2013,” the Tribune reported.

Berezowsky’s employment with the City of Poulsbo ended Aug. 23 after a meeting with Mayor Becky Erickson. The Herald could not confirm whether Berezowsky was fired or resigned. He has referred all questions to the mayor; Erickson would only say she and Berezowsky had “a difference in management style.”

“Because this is a personnel issue, I can’t discuss it further,” she said.

Berezowsky, a 17-year employee of the City of Poulsbo, served as director of the department since Jan. 1, 2004 and earned $107,015 a year, Human Resources Manager Deanna Kingery said.

According to his LinkedIn biography, Berezowsky earned an undergraduate degree in geography in 1981 from Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia. He earned a master’s degree in regional development in 1984 from the University of Arizona, and a master’s in urban planning and design in 1992 from the University of Washington.

He worked as a planner for Jefferson County before joining Poulsbo as senior planner in March 1999.

Berezowsky’s departure surprised members of the City Council.

“From my perspective on the council, he did a fine job,” Councilman Ken Thomas said at the time. “So it was a little of a surprise to me. I don’t know any of the details, but I thought he did a great job.”

Councilman Jim Henry said, “I was fond of Barry. I don’t know much about his [management] style, but I never heard anybody who works for him complain. I thought he did all right.”

Councilman David Musgrove said his working relationship with Berezowsky had been “very professional.”