06/01/2008: "FF Councilman Kelley Balcomb-Bartok Resigns"

Press Release: Friday Harbor Town Councilman Kelley Balcomb-Bartok announced Friday (May 30, 2008) that he is resigning from the Friday Harbor Town Council effective June 6, 2008. Balcomb-Bartok has accepted a unique job offer as Communication Specialist with the City of Renton, working in the Mayor’s office at Renton City Hall beginning June 16, 2008.

“Kelley was chosen over 78 other applicants for the communication position,” said Preeti Shridhar, Communications Director for the City of Renton. “It was one of the largest pool of applicants the city has ever had. Kelley will be a wonderful asset to our communications team.”

Balcomb-Bartok plans to visit Renton City Hall June 9 to meet the Mayor, the City Council members and city staff before beginning his job June 16. Balcomb-Bartok plans to move to Renton immediately, while his family will follow at the end of summer when his wife’s wedding cake commitments are fulfilled.

“I’m really excited about this,” said Balcomb-Bartok, “I love the island and the community here, and I will miss working on behalf of the citizens of Friday Harbor as a council member, but this is a wonderful opportunity

for my family and me. The island continues to get harder and harder for young families to make ends meet, and with things not working out the way I’d hoped at my current job, my wife and I decided to broaden our horizons.

“Then this position became available. My wife and I spent a lot of time considering what this would mean if I got the job, particularly moving off the island I’ve lived on for more than 20 years. We basically put it
in God’s hands and asked him to provide for us. I’m thrilled with the results, and I truly look at this as a blessing for my family.”