PRINEVILLE, OR -- The Crook County Court is moving forward in the process of filling a vacant Commissioner seat.

County Judge Seth Crawford tells KBND News the application period closed Monday, "We received nine applications. And, the plan is Wednesday, to nominate all those applicants and then give them seven questions. On Friday the tenth, we’ll go through and interview each of those nominees and hopefully, by the end of the day, we’ll have a decision."

Of the seven men and two women who applied, Crawford says they'd like to select someone willing and able to take on issues he and Commissioner Jerry Brummer aren’t able to tackle. "Personally, I’m working on the economy, long term budget planning and HR. Jerry Brummer, the Commissioner, he’s really into public works and infrastructure. So, the missing piece, right now, is Health and Human Services and law enforcement."

He's hopeful he and Commissioner Brummer will quickly agree on the best applicant and then move quickly. "The plan is Monday to do the oath, then they would be ready to be at the meeting Wednesday, the 15th." Crawford adds. "One of the things I really appreciate in Crook County, everybody really works together. You see all the strife out there, across the nation. And, it’s just so nice to live in a place where people see the bigger picture and want to move forward and make Crook County a better place."