MICHAEL SWAN: INTERVIEW WITH KAREN PICKETT >>>

The Town of Ruston is in turmoil. They don’t have a mayor. Mayor Bob Everding resigned Monday. They don’t want more bureaucracy. With the next 2008 primary election update to hit the Pierce County Auditors’ Web site at 5 p.m. tonight, the vote to transfer the Town of Ruston’s executive power to an administrator stands at 92 against the change, 69 for it.

In order to clear up some confusion Ruston resident Karen Pickett, who wrote the “no” statement in the Voter’s Guide, answered a few of the Weekly Volcano’s questions.

WEEKLY VOLCANO: If the ballot measure to change the town’s form of government and hire a full-time administrator ends up failing, how do you expect the Town Council â€" who obviously support the change â€" to react?

KAREN PICKETT: I'm not sure. There has been some recent distention among the council majority over the Point Ruston development â€" with the potential for bridges being burned that will impact other issues. The Ruston Connection group â€" Everding is one of the leaders of this advocacy group â€" have lost control of the council, at least on this issue. That was the reason given for Everding's resignation by Councilmember Albertson. This new majority may be willing to seat a mayor who is more moderate â€" at least I am hoping so. But we're running out of qualified people who are willing to serve with the current tension.

The council won't have any choice but to appoint someone. They may not be happy about it, but hopefully they open it up for applications this time and see who is willing to be considered.

VOLCANO: Did the resignation of Everding have any impact on the way people voted, in your opinion? Did his resignation have anything to do with Ruston's attempt to change forms of government?

PICKETT: My first reaction was to think the timing was related to the election. It would show the town is in disarray and we really needed a professional to rescue us. Councilmember Hunt mentioned at the last meeting that he resigned a week early, so his stepping down may have been planned all along.

It may have swayed a few votes â€" along with the Tribune's editorial endorsement â€" but in the end the margin is enough that it did not change the outcome.

On a side note, some are predicting the council will hire a town administrator now â€" and either Bob Everding or his wife, Sally, will be selected. I think it’s a long shot, but who knows around here?

VOLCANO: While Ruston residents watch and wait, Councilman Bradley Huson is serving mayor pro tem.  Stay tuned.