City commissioners on Saturday will interview four candidates who want to be their new colleague.

The sitting commissioners are looking for someone to fill out the unexpired term of former commissioner Sandy Oitzinger, who resigned in October to spend more time with her family. After Saturday’s round of 45-minute interviews, they’ll sit down Monday afternoon to choose their new counterpart.

The north doors of the City-County Building will open at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, and the first interview is scheduled for 9 a.m. in Room 326. Monday’s meeting is at 4 p.m. in the same location, and both sessions are open to the public.

Here’s the schedule and some information on the finalists, who rose to the top from an initial list of nine applicants:

• 9 a.m., Robin Shropshire. An environmental scientist, she teaches at the University of Montana n Helena College of Technology and is a governor-appointed member of the state Board of Environmental Review. She’s also helped manage Superfund sites for state government.

• 9:45, John Alke. A Helena native, he’s worked with a local law firm since 1980. He serves on the boards of the Glacier National Park Fund and the Montana Defense Trial Lawyers Association.

• 10:30, Ellen Bell. She works as an Internet and computer consultant, and serves as associate director of United Way of Lewis and Clark County. A professional volunteer and former teacher, Bell is in her third year on the Helena Citizens’ Council, which she chairs.

• 11:15, Dan Casey. A carpenter, property manager and political organizer. He’s served on the Helena Zoning Commission since 2005 and works with the Helena Theatre Company. Casey also has held positions in local and regional carpentry unions.

Commissioners will ask the candidates 10 questions, which have been provided to them in advance. The questions pertain to the candidates’ experience, judgment, involvement in local issues, goals, decision-making criteria and their plans for next year’s election, when Oitzinger’s old seat will be up for grabs.

Reporter Larry Kline: 447-4075 or larry.kline@helenair.com