Carefree Truth

Issue #378, February 20, 2015

 

 

 

Mayor Les Peterson instructed Gary Neiss to explain the process used to fill the empty Council seat.  Mr. Neiss said interested candidates would be asked to submit a Letter of Intent to the Town. These Letters would be reviewed by a committee, which would then make a recommendation to the Council.  The Council members would also receive copies of the Letters, and could accept or reject the committee's recommendation.  Council members Melissa Price, Glenn Miller, and John Crane said they didn't remember there being a committee when Mr. Crane was appointed to fill the seat vacated by Jim Van Allen.  Mr. Neiss said he must have been thinking of a previous replacement procedure. The Mayor said the committee process was used recently to select a new Judge for the Carefree/Cave Creek Combined Court when Judge Scull retired.

 

 

 

Councilman Mike Farrar reminded them that each Council member received the Letters and was given an opportunity to meet the candidates, after which a vote was held.  Mr. Miller agreed with Mr. Farrar, adding that the candidates were brought to a public meeting and allowed to speak for up to three minutes each, after which Council members could ask them questions before voting.   Mr. Crane said he thought it would be best to do it at a public meeting, the way it was done when he was appointed.  All the Council members agreed.  Mr. Miller asked if that was Mr. Crane's motion, and he confirmed that it was.  Mr. Miller then seconded the motion.  

 

 

 

At that point, John Traynor raised his hand and asked, "Are we on 2 or 1?"  Mayor Peterson replied, "We're on 2."  Mr. Traynor responded, "You already voted on 1?"   Multiple Council members answered, "Yes", and he was told there was a 3/3 tie.  The Mayor explained that agenda item 1 contained parts A and B.  Part A was the appointment of a mayor.  Part B was the appointment of a vice mayor if necessary.  Both parts had been thoroughly discussed, and it had been decided they would come back at a later date to choose a vice mayor.  Mr. Traynor said he didn't believe there had been a call for public comment.  Mayor Peterson stated there had been a call, and that Mr. Whitmore had spoken on agenda item 1.  He asked if Mr. Traynor would like to say something. 

 

 

 

Mr. Traynor had a procedural question.  He thought that resignation did not fall within the confines of absence or disability, and that allowing a Vice Mayor to step up was inappropriate for an elected position.  He said Mr. Whitmore was wrong, that the Vice Mayor is appointed by the Council, rather then being "the second highest vote getter".  Mr. Traynor declared that the public should decide the mayor in an election.  

 

 

 

Mr. Miller asked for Town Attorney Mike Wright's comments.  Mr. Wright stated that the Mayor is a member of the Council, and referred to Sections 214 and 222 in the Town Code.  214, Vacancies in Council, reads: "Council shall fill by appointment for the unexpired term, any vacancy that may occur for whatever reason."   222 states the obligation of the Vice Mayor in the last sentence.  "The Vice Mayor shall perform the duties of the Mayor during his absence or disability."

 

 

 

The meeting returned to agenda item 2.  A motion had been made and seconded.  It was unanimously approved.

 

 

 

Mayor Peterson asked what timeline was reasonable for requesting Letters of Intent in order to get the broadest participation.  Mr. Neiss responded, "Two weeks", explaining that the Town is only asking for a one page letter.  Mr. Farrar asked how the request for candidates is made public.  Mr. Neiss said COINS would be used as well as a news release.  The Mayor asked if this would be part of the regular March Council meeting.  Mr. Neiss suggested the choice be made at a special Council meeting.  The Mayor said they would see how many applied and then decide when to hold the meeting.  He asked if there were any other comments from the Council.

 

 

 

Councilman Marty Saltzman said he views everyone on the Council as friends, whether they agree or disagree on specific subjects.  But he "knows for sure that in the weeks and months that come, there will be plenty of people looking for how we act, how we behave, what we say, how divisive we become, and will be looking for ways to make us into that which we don't want to be in terms of reputation, in terms of how we handle it.  Most important is the process the Council goes through, and whether we show each other respect and act in a dignified manner through this hard time.  Remember that people are out there looking to throw stones, and I don't want to give them a window to hit."

 

 

Lyn Hitchon

 

 

 

Prepared by Carefree Truth

Visit our website at www.carefreetruth.com

If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list please contact me, and feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list. Please support our merchants.  Visit our Carefree Desert Gardens website at http://www.carefree-desert-gardens.com/Carefree_Desert_Gardens/Welcome.html