Former Bellingham Mayor Tim Douglas has been selected by the Bellingham City Council to take over and serve the final year of Mayor Mark Asmundson’s term. Asmundson resigned from his position as mayor in order to take a job at Northwest Clean Air.

The instructions on what to do in a situation of a mayor’s resignation before his term is up are very vague and left the Bellingham City Council with the tough task of choosing a replacement. Several council members showed interest and had they received the position it would have given them a definite advantage going into next year’s election. 

Douglas has stated that he will not run for the position of mayor in November 2007. Douglas served as mayor of Bellingham from 1983 to 1995.