OLYMPIA — Six people applied for the open position on the Olympia City Council by the deadline, which was Thursday.

The contenders are: Julie Hankins, Dennis Hoppe, Karen Messmer, Dick Pust, James Staples and Christopher Ward. The council is expected to appoint one of them to the position next month after interviewing them.

Here’s a closer look at the contenders, based on their applications:

• Hankins serves as the president of the Indian Creek Neighborhood Association in southeast Olympia.

• Hoppe is a small business owner specializing in federal government service and supplies.

• Messmer is a former councilwoman who served from 2006 to 2009.

• Pust is a former longtime KGY radio host who was defeated by Stephen Buxbaum in the recent mayor’s race.

• Staples is the former owner of Five Corners Bookstore, a downtown Olympia business from 1992 to 2007.

• Ward is a board member on the South Capitol Neighborhood Association.

A seventh individual sent in an application, but it was disqualified because the person lives in Tenino, according to city spokeswoman Cathie Butler. Applicants must live within the Olympia city limits.

The Position 5 council seat becomes vacant on Jan. 1, when Councilman Stephen Buxbaum leaves his seat to become mayor. State law allows the council to appoint a new member to serve the rest of Buxbaum’s term until after the next council election in November 2013.

Council members are expected to review the applications at their Jan. 3 meeting.

“They’re going to talk about the selection process that they want to use,” Butler said.

Interviews are typically held in front of the full council for all applicants.

The evenings of Jan. 10 and Jan. 17 are tentatively scheduled for applicant interviews. The goal is to appoint a new member before the city’s annual goal-setting retreat, which will be held in January or early February.

Matt Batcheldor: 360-704-6869 mbatcheldor @theolympian.com