Fruitland ushers in new era
By Larry Hurrle - Independent-Enterprise
Thursday, January 14, 2010 3:23 PM PST
| |
| Fruitland Mayor Ken Bishop (left) takes the oath of office from City Administrator Rick Watkins Monday night during the regular Fruitland City Council meeting.
|
Fruitland’s regular city council meeting may not have gone the way incoming Mayor Ken Bishop had hoped.
Bishop officially took the oath of office Monday night, replacing outgoing Mayor Tom Limbaugh.
Following the swearing-in of council members Keith Schuller and Tony Wozniak, Bishop’s first order of action was to appoint a new member to the city council to fill the seat vacated when Bishop became mayor.
Councilman Ed Pierson moved to table the appointment until the Jan. 25 city council meeting, which was followed by a second by Schuller.
“I think we’ve been thinking about this since November,” Wozniak said. “I think that’s enough time.”
Bishop said he did have an individual in mind to appoint to the council position and asked both Pierson and Schuller if they would be interested in asking questions of that person if he were to present him to the council.
“I would be interested in a public meeting to ask questions of potential candidates,” Schuller said.
Schuller said he would like to see other individuals come before the city who may be interested in filling the position. He said it would give a strong pool of candidates rather than choosing only the mayor’s recommendation.
Bishop said his first choice to fill the position was Dave Burt, a member of the Fruitland Planning and Zoning Commission. Burt also ran for the Fruitland City Council in November, but failed in his bid to gain a council position.
“You have a motion on the table to consider,” Pierson told Bishop.
“Yes, but we’re in the discussion period,” Bishop responded.
Schuller said he was prepared to show support for or against Bishop’s recommendation, but would like to have a little more time to consider the choice.
“I don’t understand this,” Wozniak said. “We’ve been seeing names for this since November and now we’re at the 11th hour and you’re asking for extension of time. That will just add more drama. If an appointment is made, you can always say no.”
With that, Bishop called for a roll call vote, in which both Pierson and Schuller voted to table the appoint. Wozniak voted against the action.
Bishop said the city would be willing to receive information from individuals who would like to fill the vacant council position through Jan. 20. Those interested in the council position should submit a letter of interest to Fruitland City Hall. Those who submit letters will be asked to attend a public meeting Thursday, Jan. 21, to address council members and members of the public and be prepared to answer questions from those present. The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. The only requirement is that potential council members must be 18 years of age and a registered city voter in the City of Fruitland.
The Fruitland City Council will take action on the mayor’s appointment at its Jan. 25 council meeting.
