The six finalists for the Lawrence City Commission vacancy are, in alphabetical order, from left, Lisa Larsen, Scott Morgan, Joe O’Brien, Terry Riordan, David Schauner and Karl Watson.

Candidates still in the running for the vacant spot on the City Commission include two former commissioners, an associate professor and a geologist.

After four hours of interviews and deliberation Thursday night, the advisory committee helping to select the city’s next commissioner cut the pool of applicants from 12 to six.

Each member of the advisory committee filled out a ballot ranking up to six candidates. The first candidate on each list received 12 points, the second received eight points, the third received six points, and so on.

The six remaining candidates, with their total points, are:

• Scott Morgan, an editor/publisher and former Lawrence school board member, with 80 points

• Lisa Larsen, a geologist at Larsen & Associates Inc., with 75 points

• David Schauner, an attorney and former city commissioner, with 50 points

• Joe O’Brien, an associate professor at the Kansas University School of Education, with 46 points

• Terry Riordan, a pediatrician and former city commissioner, with 42 points

• Karl Watson, the chief financial officer at engineering consulting firm GPW & Associates, with 30 points

Morgan also received the top votes Sept. 17, when the advisory committee narrowed the pool of applicants from 14 to 12.

“There are several reasons I hold Scott in high esteem, one of which is his innate competence,” said committee member Joe Harkins. “I also sense a sense of toughness. If we were lacking on one characteristic on the council in the last few years, it was toughness.”

In his opening statement, Morgan said he had a “set of experiences, skills and a personality” that would benefit someone joining an established City Commission.

“It’s important for Lawrence we find somebody who is not only qualified but appreciates the unique nature of Lawrence,” he said. “Because we can be an odd group, we can be difficult, we can be awesome, but you have to have an appreciation for the uniqueness of us.”

Lawrence Mayor Mike Amyx makes an introductory statement thanking the city commission candidates and also members of a citizen advisory committee assembled Thursday at City Hall. Twelve candidates for the vacant city commission seat left by former mayor and city commissioner Jeremy Farmer presented themselves for review for the position.

During deliberations, in which members of the advisory committee each discussed their two or three favorites, all but one candidate, Doug Robinson, was named.

Thursday’s voting also eliminated David Crawford, Kenneth Easthouse, Caleb Stephens, Mike Anderson and Jeffrey Southard.

In a public forum that preceded voting, candidates were asked their opinions on a variety of topics, including the city’s issues with transportation, economic development and affordable housing, as well as the East Ninth Street project, the need for a new police facility and the hiring of a new city manager.

Riordan, who served on the City Commission from 2013 to 2015, said in his opening statements that the recent experience “sets me apart from other applicants.”

Schauner, who served as commissioner from 2003 to 2007, also noted his experience as an asset.

“The City Commission I think requires city commissioners who are compassionate, responsible and have experience in making decisions that affect the lives of all the citizens in Lawrence,” he said.

The second of two six-person groups of city commission candidates sit before a citizen advisory board assembled on Friday, Sept. 24, 2015 at City Hall. Twelve candidates for the vacant city commission seat left by former mayor Jeremy Farmer presented themselves for review for the position.

Joe O’Brien said he possessed “a range of people, problem-solving and organizational skills,” and Larsen noted her experience in building up her own business.

Karl Watson talked about his background in small business and with a Fortune 500 company.

“I’ve got a set of skills that make me very qualified for the current situations we’re facing,” he said.

Next, the list of finalists will be reviewed by sitting city commissioners Tuesday, and commissioners will select those who will move on to a public interview Oct. 1. During their review, commissioners may add any qualified applicant to the pool of candidates.

At the interview Oct. 1, each commissioner will be allowed to ask the candidates one question. Commissioners then will select the final one or two candidates.

City commissioners will make a final vote Oct. 6, and the new commissioner will take the oath of office.

Whomever is chosen as the new commissioner will serve the remainder of former Mayor Jeremy Farmer’s unexpired term. Farmer resigned in August after it was discovered he failed to pay more than $61,000 in state and federal payroll tax for the nonprofit food bank he directed, Just Food.