Sixteen applications for the two vacant positions on the Austin City Council were turned in by Friday's deadline.

The council will choose two candidates to fill the 1st Ward seat currently held by Wayne Goodnature, who will be taking over as the council member At-Large, and the 3rd Ward seat, which Dick Lang will vacate for the 4th District county commissioner seat.

Early applicants for the 1st Ward were Paulette Anderson, Vaughn "Spud" Bothun, Hazel Hinz and Brian McAlister. The seven latest applicants include Jeffrey Austin, Jean Marie Hastings, Kay W. Johnson, Mary Keenan, Lynn Koch, Thomas J. Neilon and Gary E. Quednow.

For the 3rd Ward Richard Bergstrom, Mark Darrell Hecimovich, Georgette Hinkle, and Jason Richard joined Tracey Chamberlain.

The budget, the growing minority community and economic development in the city were the main issues the candidates said they would address in their two-year term.

In the applications, candidates were asked to indicate why they were interested in the position, list their educational and work background and any volunteer work that may add to the qualifications for the specific ward. They also were asked for issues they would address if elected as well as any other information helpful for the selection.

Qualifications needed to apply were to be a resident of the ward, a registered voter and be at least 21 years old.

Interviews are tentatively scheduled for Jan. 7 and 8. Chosen candidates will be officially appointed at the council meeting on the night of the 8th.

Listed below are the applicants, their professions and their priorities if elected.

1st Ward

Paulette Anderson: Mower County Senior Center executive director. Encouraging new businesses to locate in town, working with the youth in the community and working on the budget.

Jeffrey Austin: Mail Boxes Etc., manager. Budget, economic development and youth of the city.

Vaughn "Spud" Bothun: Retired. Budget, public safety and business/industrial development

Jean Marie Hastings: Hastings Shoes, owner. Traffic flow downtown, street lighting and restoration of downtown.

Hazel Hinz: Self employed, apartment manager. Traffic, safety on the streets, property management.

Mary Keenan: Sales Associate, broker's assistant. Budget issues, cultural diversity, elderly population.

Lynn Koch: Mortgage Broker/owner. Budget issues, continue to improve cooperation and coordination with Mower County leaders and elected officials and economic development of the city.

Kay W. Johnson: Apartment owner/manager. Public safety, cultural changes, businesses expansion, education

Thomas J. Neilon: Director of Mower County Correctional Services. The state shortfall and its effects on LGA, crime, growing minority population and infrastructure.

Gary E. Quednow: Part owner of Black Barts/Nemitz's. City Funding, fire and police departments, employment opportunities and growing minority population.

3rd Ward

Richard Bergstrom: Tech. Ed. teacher. Budget issues, crime and minority population and business development.

Tracey Chamberlain: Selection of city administration, minority community, fire and police departments and business development.

Mark Darrell Hecimovich: Chiropractor, college instructor. Economic development, affordable housing, racial issues and infrastructure

Georgette Hinkle: Administrative director of nursing. Budget, minority involvement, economic development.

Jason Richard: Acupuncture clinic. Public safety, finance, workforce and schools.

Roxana Orellana can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at :mailto:roxana.orellana@austindailyherald.com