There's an opening on the Metroplitan Council because of the resignation of Brian McDaniel in District 16.

That  district covers Apple Valley; Coates; the portion of  Eagan lying south of a line at the intersection of Cliff Road with the western boundary of Eagan, easterly along Cliff Road to its intersection with Robert Trail South and 110th St. West, then easterly along 110th Street West to the eastern border of Eagan; Farmington; Hampton; Hastings; Lakeville; Miesville; New Trier; Randolph; Rosemount; and Vermillion; and the Dakota County Townships of Castle Rock, Douglas, Empire, Eureka, Greenvale, Hampton, Marshan, Nininger, Randolph, Ravenna, Sciota, Vermillion, and Waterford.

Residents interested in the vacancy must complete an Open Appointments Application Form, downloaded from the Secretary of States website or by calling 651-297-5845.  Deadline for the application, a resume and letters of recommendation should be sent to the governor's office by Dec. 23.

Applicants are asked to attach a current résumé to their application.  The deadline for receipt of all application materials, including any letters of recommendation submitted on behalf of applicants, is Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at 4:30 p.m.  Letters of recommendation should be sent directly to the Governors office.

A seven-member Metropolitan Council Nominating Committee, which recommends candidates for the Metropolitan Council to the governor, will hold a public hearing January 12, 2009, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Apple Valley City Council Chambers of Apple Valley City Hall, 7100 West 147th Street in Apple Valley. 

Members of the nominating committee, chosen by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, are:

 Mike Burton, Minnetonka

 Dave Clark, Blaine, Blaine City Council

 Song Lo Fawcett, St. Paul                       

 Cyndee Fields, Eagan, Eagan City Council                       

 Paul Gaston, Vadnais Heights, Vadnais Heights City Council  Mark Schiffman, Waconia Maureen Shaver, Deephaven