Roger Case received a standing ovation June 10 during a Whidbey General Hospital board meeting for his years of service in public office.

The long-time hospital commissioner resigned six months short of completing his third term in office. His resignation leaves hospital officials scrambling to find a replacement.

After advertising the position and after the Island County Auditor’s Office offered two filing periods for people to file for the public office, zero candidates applied for the vacancy.

Trish Rose, spokeswoman at Whidbey General Hospital, said one person expressed interest in Case’s seat, but, after closer examination of the person’s residence, it turned out she lived yards outside of Case’s district.

“We’re back to square one,” Rose said.

Case’s term as District 4 commissioner was due to be up at the end of the year. He announced his resignation in April. It became effective in June.

District 4 covers the Seaplane Base south of Crescent Harbor Drive, the Highway 20 corridor through Oak Harbor and the east side of Oak Harbor, according to the Whidbey General Hospital website.

Filing week took place in mid-May and a special filing period took place in early June to provide people a chance to file for any remaining vacant seats.

The Coupeville School Board had one vacancy after filing week; however, Vanessa Matros filed to fill the seat being vacated by Jeff Tasoff.

Rose said Whidbey General Hospital will continue to advertise to fill the vacancy on the hospital board. Hospital commissioners have a 90-day window to find and appoint a candidate for the board.

Whoever is appointed will have to run for the seat during the November 2015 general election, more than one year away.