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No interest shown in
empty town councilor slot
By Krista Tincher
Of the Tobacco Valley News
Last week, the town of Eureka had a total of three candidates who had thrown their names into the hat to be candidates for the vacant town council position: residents Chris Kipp, Bart Roose, and Krispin Lihme.
But by the end of the week, all had changed their minds.
With Monday’s deadline to appoint a new councilor looming, Eureka was down to zero candidates for the position by presstime.
Kipp had an unforeseen scheduling conflict with his volunteer fire department duties, said his wife, Rose Kipp Thursday.
Bart Roose said Thursday that it was best for his employer’s business, which often contracts with the town, and essentially his own peace of mind if he withdrew his name.
And after planning on aiming for the position Thursday, on Friday Lihme thought better of it and submitted a letter removing his name from the list.
So what will happen Monday, if no parties are interested in the position?
“If you don’t have a candidate, it’s not like you can force somebody to do it,” town attorney Clif Hayden said, though the law requires town councilors to appoint a candidate to a vacant councilor position within 30 days of the time it becomes vacant. “My guess is, (the town) will continue to try to find somebody to appoint.”
As long as the council can make a quorum, or three of four councilors in attendance at a meeting, the town may still conduct business, noted Hayden.
And if one of the three councilors has to be away for a meeting, added Hayden, councilors may still attend the meeting via conference call. “There are ways to work around it,” he said.
Meanwhile, the town continues to advertise for the vacant position.
To qualify to be a town councilor, a candidate must have lived in town for 60 days prior to the appointment and be a registered voter.
Councilors receive $25 per monthly meeting from the town in compensation.
