BROOKINGS – Five people have applied for the council seat left open by Keith Corbett’s election as Brookings mayor.

The deadline was noon Friday. Full applications are available for viewing on the city’s website at cityofbrookings.org, under the council’s agendas, minutes and videos section.

The council will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 3, to interview candidates. The council is scheduled to approve one of the candidates to fill the seat for one year at the May 9 meeting.

The five applicants are Edward Ballou, Cory Ann Ellis, George Hamer, Nick Schmeichel and Holly Tilton Byrne.

Ed Ballou

Ballou has lived in Brookings almost 17 years.

He is the lead software engineer at Daktronics and is self-employed at Carpe Tempestas, LLC, a software consulting and personal/business coaching business. He has a bachelor’s degree in computer science.

Ballou is an organizer and host for 1 Million Cups, mentors in the community and is an active church member, helping with tech/web/music and leadership.

“I will effect the due diligence of the position to help this community which includes attending city council in person, reading my packet beforehand, representing the public, and listening thoughtfully,” Ballou said of his reasons for wanting to serve on council.

“I have traveled the world as my dad was in the Army and have seen many different communities which gives me unique insights and ideas. My interest in city council continues in the areas of affordable housing, east of I-29 development, and comprehensive master planning. We must not fail in acting in the short term either. I feel I can bring that urgency,” he wrote in his application.

Ballou ran for city council in 2016, getting 16 percent of the vote.

Cory Ann Ellis

Ellis has lived in Brookings for 13 years.

She has been a brand and marketing manager at Montgomery’s since 2014 and is founder and director of AC Ellis Inc. since 2004.

Ellis served as a soldier in the United States Army Reserve from 1997-2005.

Ellis has a master’s degree in physical education with extended study in recreation and sport management from Indiana State University and a bachelor’s degree in wellness from the University of Sioux Falls.

She organized the Grassroots Effort Hidden Figures Field Trip this year and created and organized the Brookings Makers Market since 2013.

“Serving on the Brookings City Council and therefore serving the citizens of Brookings would be an honor and great responsibility that I would fill with devotion. As an interim council member, I would work to bring energy, stability, and a diverse perspective to the team. I look forward to working with my peers to find creative solutions and inclusive initiatives in our efforts for the community,” Ellis said of her reasons for applying.

“If on council I would address concerns while advocating equally for gender, faith, sexual orientation, and socio-economic groups,” she wrote in her application,” she said.

George Hamer

Hamer has lived in Brookings for 28 years.

He has been an associate professor and assistant department head at South Dakota State University since January 2011. From August 1989 to January 2011, he was an assistant professor and associate professor of computer science at SDSU.

He has a Ph.D. in computer science from North Dakota State University in Fargo, N.D., a master’s in computer science from Moorhead State University in Moorhead, Minn., and a bachelor’s in construction management from NDSU.

Hamer is a member of Brookings Human Rights Commission from 2006 to the present, being the past chair and current vice-chair.

“I would be honored to serve the city of Brookings as a council member. I feel I can give back to the city I have called home for almost 28 years. Brookings is a wonderful place to live and being on the city council will give me the opportunity to ensure that it continues to grow, thrive and stay the welcoming community it is,” Hamer said.

“I believe I have the ability to listen to all sides of an issue and carefully weigh all facts brought forward. I would rely heavily on all inputs and not make quick judgements.”

Nick Schmeichel

Schmeichel has lived in Brookings since August 2003 and is the owner of Sideline Productions.

He has a minor in political science from South Dakota State University and has been active in politics for more than 15 years.

“I feel that running my own business has given me a vast amount of knowledge that is applicable to the operation of a city,” he said. “Being a small business owner I have to wear a lot of different hats. I am in charge of the financing in my business, as well as sales, and customer service.

“The most valuable skill I have learned, which I think is most applicable, is listening,” Schmeichel wrote on his application.

He started a program through his company to donate books to first graders in the Brookings school system to promote sustainability.

He wants to be on city council, “because I am a citizen in this city and care about the community,” Schmeichel said.

“After the (previous) election, I received numerous calls, texts, and emails urging me to apply for this open seat. I want to honor those who supported me through the election by getting to work for them and the rest of the city,” Schmeichel wrote in his application.

Holly Tilton Byrne

Tilton Byrne has lived in Brookings for 21 years.

She is a community organizer at Dakota Rural Action, where she has worked since 2009. She also worked for the South Dakota State University International Affairs Office as a peer advisor/student sustainability coordinator for a year.

A graduate of Brookings High School, she has a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with a minor in history from South Dakota State University.

Tilton Byrne serves on the City of Brookings Sustainability Council as chair; she’s been on the council since 2014.

“I have been proud to call Brookings my home since I was a young child. I deeply value being involved in this community and offering my time and energy to making Brookings a thriving, vibrant, sustainable, and welcoming place,” Tilton Byrne wrote in her application.

“I believe that Brookings is a leading example for the state and the region. I would love to help continue to grow that leadership and help make Brookings the community that others strive to be like. I also believe I have the skills necessary to work with other members of the city council to collectively achieve any goals that are set.”

Corbett was elected mayor this month, replacing Scott Munsterman, who stepped in as interim mayor for three months after Tim Reed was elected to the House of Representatives in District 7 last fall. Reed had to resign as mayor of Brookings because he could not legally hold two elected offices. Reed’s term had one year left on it, so Corbett has been elected for one year.

With Corbett taking the mayor’s seat, the council seat he currently holds will be open.

City Manager Jeff Weldon said the council will appoint an interim council member to occupy the seat until the April 2018 election.

“(Corbett’s) seat does not expire until the April 2019 election, so the appointment to fill Keith’s seat would also expire with the April 2018 election, whereby an election would be held for one year, until April 2019, to preserve the rotation,” Weldon said

Contact Jodelle Greiner at jgreiner@brookingsregister.com.