BELLINGHAM - City Council member Stan Snapp formally announced his retirement from public service Wednesday, March 13. He also endorsed the woman he hopes will succeed him as council member from Ward 4 - Pinky Vargas, an energy efficiency manager with Puget Sound Energy.

Snapp, 72, said he would finish his term and leave office at the end of the year. He joined the council in 2007, replacing Joan Beardsley. He ran unopposed in 2009.

For 23 years, Snapp was a Bellingham firefighter. He retired from the department in 1997.

At a January meeting of the Whatcom Transportation Authority Board of Directors Snapp publicly said he would not run for re-election.

His formal announcement comes now, he said, to give interested candidates enough time to prepare a campaign. Filing week for candidates seeking office in 2013 is May 13-17.

Vargas, Snapp's preferred replacement, used Facebook to announce her candidacy on Wednesday.

"Vargas plans to prioritize making it easier for businesses to thrive, mobilizing waterfront development, and creating a healthier Lake Whatcom watershed," her announcement said. Vargas did not return a phone call seeking comment.

Vargas, 45, is on the Greenways Advisory Committee and the board for the Center for New Media, her announcement said. In addition to Snapp, Vargas has the support of Bellingham City Council member Kathy Lehman and of Natalie McClendon, former chairwoman of the Whatcom Democrats and a 2012 candidate for representative of the 42nd Legislative District.

Her campaign website is at votepinkyvargas.com.

Reach Ralph Schwartz at 360-715-2289 or ralph.schwartz@bellinghamherald.com. Read his politics blog at blogs.bellinghamherald.com/politics or follow him on Twitter at @bhamheraldpolitics.