The market’s board of directors will sort through the applications with an eye toward having the new executive director in place as the new year starts, interim director Lisa Duplessie said.

“Everybody is optimistic and ready to move forward,” Duplessie said. “Change is always difficult, but people have really remained positive. We’re all out there for the market to be successful.”

Duplessie said the Capital City Public Market didn’t lose any vendors in the wake of founder Karen Ellis’ firing, even though many were loyal to her.

Board members said they fired Ellis because she failed to pay taxes on employees, kept sloppy records and had overall poor business practices. At the time, some vendors suspected those were excuses to obscure personal conflicts and power struggles between her and the board.

James Holesinsky, owner of Holesinsky Winery in Buhl, said he hasn’t seen much change in the way the market is run since Ellis was fired. He said the board’s choice for director will say a lot about the vision for the market, and he hopes that the board hires someone who’s not afraid to shake things up.

“I just want it to be run right. I want someone who’s aggressive in there,” he said.

An advertisement for the job said the board was looking for “a talented leader to spearhead and champion our next phase” and “an enthusiastic and passionate visionary leader with strong operational skills.”

The list of qualifications included a bachelor’s degree, a minimum of five years’ managerial experience, proficiency with computers and other technology, and familiarity with promoting local farms and businesses.

According to the advertisement, the salary for the position will range between $34,800 and $49,500 yearly, depending on experience.

Sven Berg: 377-6275