Hats are in the ring for Sutter Creek City Council.

The departure of Vice Mayor Bill Hepworth March 16 opened a single council seat. Council members declined to wait for, or pay for, a special election to fill Hepworth's seat. A total of seven candidates have filed for appointment to the seat, which Hepworth left for health reasons.

Candidate Bart Weatherly, a fire captain with the Sac Metro Fire Department, has lived in Sutter Creek for more than 14 years. Weatherly said he's observed interest groups being active in petitioning the city council, while "the guy that just raises his kids here" has called comparatively rarely for the council's ear.

"I'll be the voice for the common person," Weatherly said.

Reed Shugart, also in the running, serves as a commissioner on the Sutter Creek Fire Protection District. He is a former Amador Fire Protection District director.

"I am familiar with sewer, annexation and toxic-contaminant problems on Sutter Hill," Shugart wrote to city officials. "I am also aware of development concerns on Highway 49 and Ridge Road, North Hanford Street, Gopher Flat Road and Gold Rush."

Candidate Linda Rianda retired from the position of associate warden at Folsom State Prison after 20 years with the state Department of Corrections. She is a member of the Sutter Creek Women's Club.

"I have participated in the city's visioning process, as well as attended city council meetings," Rianda wrote to city officials. "I look forward to being much more active in the community."

Also in the running, candidate Jack Mitchell has lived in Sutter Creek for six years. He is publisher of the Amador county news - www.boitano.net newspaper.

"All of us share a desire to see that the interests of Sutter Creek, our way of life and the future of our children in our small home town are secure," Mitchell wrote to city officials. "While I oversee the operations of the Ledger Dispatch, I in no way dictate or demand coverage, nor do I see all the pieces that come together from edition to edition."

Former City Councilman Mike Kirkley is again a candidate. He is a former Amador County planning commissioner, and is retired from a career with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

"I have been critical of the city council on a number of issues, but I care about the city and I have always offered solutions along with my criticisms," Kirkley wrote to city officials. "Our city is facing challenging economic times and I believe my management experience would be an asset."

Also in the running, candidate Dennis Griffin wrote city officials, "What I can bring to the city council is a sense of fairness. What I consider the most important thing for the city's survival is managed growth. If you let growth go wild it will destroy the look and lifestyle of our city. Without growth, we are not going to be able to maintain our police department and other vital services."

Candidate Mimi Arata has lived in Sutter Creek since 1982.

"As you may know, over the last several months I have been attending both city council and planning commission meetings," Arata wrote to city officials.

Arata could not be reached for further comment.

The council will appointment a new member at the city council meeting Monday, April 6.