By Shamona McClary

Kannapolis Citizen

Interviews are over and the results are in.

Roger Haas will fill the vacant seat left open by Mayor Bob Misenheimer.

He will assume responsibilities as a council member immediately. His first meeting with the council is Jan. 23. His term will end in November 2007.

Haas was chosen out of 18 candidates who applied.

City Council conducted three interviewing sessions to narrow the bunch. The first two were last Wednesday and Thursday. Council had another session Tuesday morning.

"We were able to narrow the applicants down to four very qualified candidates, then we worked through the issues until we were left with Roger," Misenheimer said.

Candidates were given the opportunity to address any subject for the first few minutes of the interview. Then council members asked them questions.

Community Relations Director Jennifer Woodford said Haas was chosen because of his past experience with the council and politics.

Haas was in the last group of candidates to be interviewed. City Manager Mike Legg called him that afternoon to give him the news.

"I'm excited to have the opportunity to serve again," Haas said.

Haas said the city is at a critical juncture with its economic future, the North Carolina Research Campus and other projects. Haas said this is why he applied. He wants to make sure the city makes the right decisions.

Haas is president of Adventures in Motorsports. He attended Gardner Webb Univeristy as a business major and also studied additional management at Cornell Univeristy.

Haas has been involved with the Kannapolis Rotary Club and served on the City Council from 1997 to 2001.

He has also served on the Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau board from 2003 to 2005.

His current involvement is as vice chairman of the Cabarrus County Planning and Zoning Commission.

Haas said he believes a partnership between the city and billionaire David Murdock is one of the most important issues facing the community. In addition, he said adequate water supply should be addressed.

"This is a critical time in the development and growth of our city. Having prior experience on the council, I have a background to immediately bring participation in the process," Haas wrote in his application.

"I have always felt an obligation to serve in the community and have the time to participate," he said.

Contact Shamona McClary at 704-933-3450 or smcclary@salisburypost.com.