Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Mayor’s appointment of Larry Gould to Ward 4 seat approved 5-1 amid council dispute
Summary
Mayor Statz nominated longtime community volunteer Larry Gould to fill a Ward 4 vacancy; the council voted 5-1 to approve the appointment after an absent council member submitted a written statement criticizing the selection process and raising allegations of favoritism.
Mayor Statz nominated Larry Gould to fill the Ward 4 council vacancy created by the June resignation of Council Member Chris Unkle. The council voted July 22 to approve the nomination by a 5-1 margin.
Statz said he had considered opening the vacancy to applicants but instead nominated Gould because of Gould’s prior service on the city council, the school board and the planning commission and because, Statz said, Gould "could kinda hit the ground running" for the nine remaining meetings in the year. Statz moved the nomination; council approved the motion.
Council Member Coleman read a statement on behalf of absent Council Member Elizabeth Stanton that criticized the appointment process and made allegations about perceived favoritism and concerns about Gould’s ability to serve. Stanton’s written statement said in part, "This is not personal. This is about process, integrity, and the perception of fairness in our local government." Stanton asked the council to reject the appointment. Coleman submitted Stanton’s statement to be part of the meeting record.
Several council members spoke in defense of the mayor’s choice and of Gould’s civic record. Council Member Webster said Gould "has done a ton of things for this community" and would be able to "hit the ground running." Council Member Molt called Stanton’s written remarks "not appropriate" and urged a collaborative tone. The motion to appoint Gould passed 5-1 (one councilmember opposed; one was absent).
