The 18 applicants for Burien Councilmember Kathy Keene's open spot on the council have been whittled down to five.

Council members chose their favorite candidates, and will now interview the five finalists before choosing one to fill Keene's position once she leaves at the beginning of the year.

Keene surprised her fellow council members when she announced she was resigning her position on the council at the end of the year. Keene is going to retire to Florida.

The five finalists were interviewed on Nov. 15 during a special council meeting.

Vying for Councilwoman Keene's seat are Duane Douglas Camerota, Duane's Garden Patch owner; Gregory Duff, Burien Planning Commission member; John C. Elliot, Boeing quality systems project manager; Andrea Reay, Seattle Opera production administrator and Gerald F. Robison, Burien attorney.

The new council member will serve for a year, until Keene's term expires in December 2011.