Seven civic-minded Jackson residents made their best pitch as to why they should be chosen to fill the city council seat vacated by former Mayor Drew Stidger Monday night.

Stidger's recent promotion to lieutenant status with the Amador County Sheriff's Office is necessitating his departure from the seat he would have occupied until November 2008.

Stidger informed the council of his decision last November. Shortly after, word went out that the city was seeking a Jackson resident to complete the rest of his term. Interested applicants were asked to submit a letter of interest no later than Jan. 3.

Each of the seven candidates gave brief presentations to the remaining four council members and the roughly 40 or so in attendance. The city council will make its selection at its next meeting Jan. 14.

James Laughton, a resident for 51 years, expressed his concerns over water rates, the sewer plant, the revitalization of Main Street, urban sprawl and affordable housing.

David Butow, a Main Street merchant and Jackson planning commissioner, qualified himself by reminding the council members of his council past, his participation on the Jackson bypass committee, his tenure as president of the county historical society and his ongoing endeavors to have a new sign erected on Highway 88 inviting motorists to exit onto historic Main Street.

Wayne Garibaldi cited his service on the planning commission since 1999 and his participation as a member of many local civic organizations. He expressed his concerns with economic development and the preservation of Main Street.

Next was Judith Jebian, who moved to Jackson in 2005. Jebian is a career school teacher who also does volunteer and public service work. She said she has been attending council meetings with the goal of preserving Jackson's history and promoting tourism. She voiced concerns that future growth be balanced against the city's heritage and offered to bring a fresh perspective and sympathetic ear to all points of view.

Kam Merzlak, a lifelong resident and businessman, pledged his commitment to preserve Jackson's history through the revitalization of downtown. He pledged to be open and responsive to all residents and would attend all council meetings.

Former council member Marilyn Lewis, who lost her reelection bid in 2006, highlighted her long history of involvement in civic affairs and her many concerns for the well-being of Jackson's residents.

Keith Sweet pledged that he would seek official election to the seat in November if he is appointed to the vacancy. As a current licensed realtor, he promised to avoid any conflict of interest while in office.

Mayor RosaLee Pryor-Escamilla afforded all members of the public in attendance an opportunity to ask questions of each candidate, but none were asked. The special session was adjourned a little more than an hour after it began, with Pryor-Escamilla saying, "This will not be an easy decision." She encouraged all concerned residents to seek out and ask questions of the candidates before the council meeting Monday.