POULSBO — The Poulsbo City Council now has the distinction of having a former Montana city council member and a former Arizona city council member among its ranks.

Kenneth Thomas, a retired Navy officer who served on the city council in Goodyear, Arizona, in the 1970s, was appointed Jan. 28 to complete the term vacated by Linda Berry-Maraist, who resigned to devote more time to her family and community involvements.

Because the position was vacated by resignation, the term will end when the results in the Nov. 3 general election are certified. Council members are elected to four-year terms; approve city laws, policies, and the annual budget; and represent the city on local and regional committees. Council members receive $6,000 a year.

The other applicants for appointment were Boone Eidsmoe, 18, an employee at Dahlquist Fine Jewelry and the youngest member of the Poulsbo Lions Club; Hunter McIntosh, managing director of The Boat Company, which does environmental education tours of Alaska; and Shane Skelley, owner of Skelley Works and a Poulsbo planning commissioner.

All four candidates were interviewed by the City Council Jan. 28 in a special meeting at City Hall.

In his application for City Council appointment, Thomas wrote that his experience in private industry and various levels of government “has given me insight into key organizational principles applicable to city government. I want to bring my experience and knowledge to the City Council, in order to maintain the character of this city, preserve the heritage, and deal with the impacts that inevitable outside change will have on Poulsbo.”

In an earlier interview with the Herald, Thomas spoke of his familiarity with annexation and growth-management plans.

“Here in Poulsbo, that is something that I think is looming over the horizon. The current growth plan is up for review next year. The city needs to take a look at the natural boundaries of Poulsbo and perhaps adjust the planning boundaries. I know that sounds like a boring thing, but it has a lot of impact on the future.”

Thomas said crime is one result of local drug activity. “One thing that concerns me is the general rise in heroin in Kitsap and all of Washington and the impact that it’s having on crime rates, property crimes more than anything,” he said. “My feeling is that the city is on top if it but I feel we should still keep a close eye on that.”

Thomas has degrees in political science and public administration. He served in the Navy from the 1980s through 2003 in a variety of positions, from training officer to executive officer, with assignments involving emergency and disaster preparedness.

Thomas said tourism is one economic factor in Poulsbo, but should not be the only one, and that residents should also be able to have what they need close to home. Thomas said he would like to maintain Poulsbo’s personality.

“Sometimes people move to a community and immediately desire to change it to conform to the place from which they’ve came,” Thomas said. “That is not my intention, I can assure you. My vision is to retain, as much as possible, all the positive characteristics that make Poulsbo exceptional.”