The Sedona City Council on Friday, Dec. 4, will pick one of three candidates to fill the vacancy left by John Bradshaw resigning his seat in September and leaving at the end of October.

The three candidates to be interviewed by council Friday morning are Jerry Frey, Mike Ward and Helen Knoll.

Frey, 52, who has lived in Sedona for almost 12 years, is a former councilman. He said he can use this prior experience along with his background on the local economy to help the city since he works as a businessman.

He said if his father had not been dying from cancer in 2008, he would have run for re-election. However, he wants to assist the city in some way again.

“It’s public service,” he said, adding he wants to use his knowledge of being both a resident and businessman to help Sedona.

“I am doing this because I think I can help,” he said. “I kept up and understand the budget.”

He also said there would be no learning curve if council selects him to serve the next six months of Bradshaw’s term.

“I have kept up and understand the process, so I can be effective right away,” Frey said. “I can actually get along with people.”

Frey said when on a losing side of a vote, he doesn’t keep bringing it back up or rehashing it, he just moves on to the next item.

Knoll, 67, moved to Sedona more than seven years ago from Seattle, and said she wants to bring her experience to the City Council.

Knoll has worked as a city attorney for two municipalities and also worked for the federal government for more than 20 years.

“I know all the types of things that we are up against,” Knoll said.

She said she had been involved in some city issues, but has tried to stay away from most of the controversial ones, and added she thinks she can bring council closer together.

“I can act as a bridge builder and help calm the waters,” Knoll said.

She also said she only wants to serve on council for the next six months and added she has no interest in running for a seat in the March election.

“The short term is appealing to me,” she said. “The city is in a crisis, and I think I can help.”

Mike Ward, 61, a retired community college instructor, is running for the vacant seat to give him some experience in case he is elected in the 2010 election.

Ward, who considers himself a solution finder, moved to Sedona more than seven years ago from the Chicago area.

“My primary rationale is getting a jump start should I be elected,” he said, adding he has attended council meetings and researched topics.

He also said he is a good and active listener and will not be afraid to change his viewpoint on issues for better ones. Another reason Ward applied for the vacancy was to give council multiple choices in determining the next councilor.

“I am not afraid to throw away my views for something that is more practical,” he said. “There is a learning curve, and someone has to do it.”

Ward believes he would bring a new perspective to council and mentioned his goals are similar to what Frey believes in.

“I can bring fresh eyes to the council, and that is something of an advantage,” he said.

The resident council choose will take the seat $$$.

Michael Maresh can be reached at 282-7795, ext. 125, or e-mail mmaresh@larsonnewspapers.com