Not to be too lost in the maneuverings over the mayoral vacancy is the fact that there is now a vacant seat on the council that must be filled.
This is an opportunity, perhaps, for an individual who might normally not want to go through the electoral process to have a chance to serve this community on the City Council.
According to the city’s release, “The City will hold an information session about the appointment process and answer questions about the process, the requirements for applicants, etc. All interested individuals are encouraged to attend.”
Here are the key dates:
January 5- Application Period Opens
January 10 – City Information Session
January 25 – Application Period Closes
February 1 – If necessary, Council narrows applicant field to 10 or less
February 2-7 – Candidates will arrange a time to tape Candidate Statements for public broadcasting
February 16 – Public Forum held
February 22 – Council begins deliberations
March 1 – First Regular Council Meeting in which Appointee participates
June 30, 2012 – Appointee’s term ends
What happens if no one applies? I don’t expect that to happen, but it seems like a real (5%) possibility.
Also, for those who would apply but are not personally or professionally or otherwise connected to one or more of the current members of the Council, I suspect they have very little chance. My expectation is that one or more of the current four people sitting on the Council will have a favored candidate that they are effectively sponsoring. So if behind the scenes, for example, Joe Krovoza picks a friend of his and gets Rochelle Swanson to go along with his pick, that person is going to be chosen for the Council. It could also be that Stephen Souza has a favored pick, maybe a friend or someone who has helped him on his campaigns, and that person will win if none of the others on the Council has a horse in the race, so to speak.
FWIW, as long as the Council is selecting the winner–and the community is not voting–I don’t have a problem with members of the Council handholding a friend up to the seat. I just say that those who are considering this position but are not currently allies with one or more people on the Council, you probably have no chance, no matter your professional qualifications or experience in our community.
Rifkin: ” I just say that those who are considering this position but are not currently allies with one or more people on the Council, you probably have no chance, no matter your professional qualifications or experience in our community.”
Nothing ventured, nothing gained…
I don’t think that is true Rich, talking to some of the councilmembers, they are looking for some new blood. I think this is an opportunity for people who haven’t been involved in the process to step forward.
100% sure at least a couple people will be applying, that won’t be an issue, Rich.
[b]” those who are … not currently allies with … people on the Council … probably have no chance …”[/b]
[i]”I don’t think that is true Rich, talking to some of the council members, they are looking for some new blood.”[/i]
I have no doubt they are looking for some “new blood.” That does not contradict my point. I expect the “new blood” will be an old friend or ally of a current member of the council.
Here is the test: Take the person who wins. See if that person was not a listed endorser of the campaign of Joe or Rochelle in 2010 or of one of the others in 2008. I would even go further: I expect that the next member of the city council gave money to or worked on behalf of one of the 4 currents and probably wrote a letter to The Enterprise advocating for that person. Those are the people I classify as “allies” of a member of the council. (I am not saying being an ally is bad. It’s just what I expect the selection process to produce.)
[i]”100% sure at least a couple people will be applying, that won’t be an issue, Rich.”[/i]
It would be pretty funny if exactly one person applied, esp. if that one person was someone no one on the council likes.